Mideast talks: More of show, less on substance

The attempt by the Obama administration to kick-start direct peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been described as more of a show and less on substance.

US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been very keen to resolve the world's most intractable disputes and have set a goal of striking a deal within 12 months to create an independent Palestinian state that exists side-by-side with the Jewish state. But what transpired during the joint press conference of Netanyahu and Abbas with Secretary Clinton shows that the road to Middle East peace is full of hurdles and obstacles. Although many analysts have been surprised by the "conciliatory" tone of Netanyahu, still the two leaders remained stuck to their previous positions.

The Israeli Prime Minister admitted that he saw in President Abbas a partner in peace but completely ignored the issue of the siege of Gaza Strip and Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian lands. His speech was focused on just two issues — legitimacy and security of the Jewish State. Moreover, he talked about making a new beginning, nullifying the previous agreements very cleverly. President Abbas, on the other hand, reiterated the issue of ending the blockade of Gaza and putting a stop to settlements. He also reminded Netanyahu that the previous agreements and UN resolutions, especially the issue of refugees' right to return cannot be put aside.

The two leaders have agreed to hold their second round of talks in the Middle East on September 14-15, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US envoy George Mitchell joining them again but there is little hope that the talks would succeed as Secretary Clinton made it very clear that "we cannot and will not impose any solution on both parties. However, we will help and support the peace negotiations between the two".

This statement shows that the US will not put pressure on the Israeli government to come good on its promises and commitments. The first test of seriousness of the US will come on September 26 when the 10-month Israeli moratorium on building settlements in the occupied West Bank expires. There are indications that Netanyahu will not extend the deadline. The Palestinian delegation had failed to get US guarantees on maintaining the building freeze before direct negotiations began and if Netanyahu announces new settlements, which he's very much likely, the entire effort of the Obama Administration will come to a naught. The Palestinians have made it very clear that they will withdraw from the negotiations if Israel resumes settlement building.

Surprisingly, Netanyahu during his entire speech said: "Both sides should make concessions." What concessions Netanyahu wants from the Palestinians? Israel has illegally occupied their land and day by day is grabbing more land through settlements and it still wants the Palestinians to make concessions?

If President Obama wants the talks to make headway, he must take a firm stand against Israeli intransigence — otherwise these talks will meet the same fate as earlier doomed efforts.