HI - Middle East: Peace Under Obama

What was the reaction in the Knesset to Obama's election?

Panic, due to Obama’s sympathy toward Palestinians and his prominent contact with Palestinian-American intellectual Rashid Khalidi.

What did Obama publicly declare he wanted to achieve during his administration regarding Israel and Palestine?

A two-state solution.

What did Netanyahu declare regarding a future Palestinian state?

June 2009: Isr PM supported a future Palestinian state if Palestinians accepted several conditions.

What effort did the Obama administration make regarding Israel-Palestine peace?

September 2010: It pushed for peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

What threats emerged during Israel-Palestine negotiations?

Hamas and Hezbollah threatened violence if either side compromised.

What peace proposal did Lieberman make and what was the Palestinian response?

January 2011: Joseph Lieberman (US Senator) proposed an interim (temporary) peace deal, which the Palestinians rejected.

What major agreement was signed between Palestinian factions?

April 2011: Fatah and Hamas signed a unity agreement and announced plans to form a joint government.

What happened when the Quartet convened?

July 2011: The countries who had backed the Roadmap for Peace failed to reach an agreement.

What did Mahmoud Abbas express regarding peace with Israel?

May 2012: He expressed readiness for peace with Israel.

When was Obama elected?

2008