Hillary Clinton and Hamas policy

Posted By P.J. Aroon Friday, May 1, 2009 - 4:16 PM Share

I don't have time to elaborate further (gotta move on to other FP tasks), but there have been a couple of posts this week on FP blogs about Secretary Clinton and U.S. policy toward Hamas:

Over at Passport: "The Obama administration's end run around Hamas restrictions"

Over at The Cable: "Clinton articulates policy regarding Hamas"

More information is at the Los Angeles Times: "Obama move alarms Israel supporters"

EXPLORE:MIDDLE EAST, HILLARY, ISRAEL/PALESTINE, TERRORISM
 

STACYX

6:59 PM ET

May 1, 2009

One step forward two steps back

Thanks for this update because things are getting quite confusing because it did seem as though the administration was beginning to recognize a Palestinian unity govt was the likely scenario and seemed to be backing off some of its more deal-breaking demands with respect to Hamas. Then yesterday, during the hearing with Gates, Sec'y Clinton seemed to deny these reports saying nothing had changed with respect to the administration's stance toward the Palestinians and Hamas.

I know this is a controversial topic, but it seems like each time the State Dept and/or Obama admin. announces some sort of attempt to nudge the peace process along, special interest groups in this country (and members of Congress) push back immediately causing Sec'y Clinton and the administration to back-pedal.

I look forward to more info. on this.

 

BLUE13326

8:05 PM ET

May 1, 2009

Clinton and her boss sell out

Clinton and her boss sell out Lebanon, as Hariri murder suspects are freed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8024463.stm

Hezbollah is now set to finish its domination of Lebanon. Here's what she had to say:

“There is nothing that we would do in any way that would undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty,” Clinton said. “I want to assure any Lebanese citizen that the United States will never make any deal with Syria that sells out Lebanon and the Lebanese people. You have been through too much and it is only right that you are given a chance to make your own decisions,” Clinton said.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hnNbeWALOM7rSWOjnT3OPHa6CvTgD97QG3L80

She lies almost as well as her husband. Disgusting!

 

STACYX

12:52 AM ET

May 2, 2009

What exactly could Secretary

What exactly could Secretary Clinton have done with respect to the Hariri suspects? She made her (and the US) position on supporting democratic initiatives and leadership in Lebanon quite clear. I think it's totally unfair to say she "sold out" Lebanon.

On another note (actually related to this post), an interesting take from the Dreyfuss report on the upcoming Obama/Clinton/Netanyahu showdown when he comes to the US to visit with Obama and Clinton, here.

 

ROSEANN

5:45 AM ET

May 2, 2009

Cheap shots are easy,blue.

Cheap shots are easy,blue. Clinton has not "sold out" anybody here. What is "disgusting" are your facile anti-Clinton(s) comments.

 

STACYX

2:41 PM ET

May 2, 2009

The Israel Policy Forum has

The Israel Policy Forum has noted a shift in Secretary Clinton's stance with respect to Hamas and their website is very clear that they welcome it, see here

My guess is that some of the more pro-Israel hawkish types in the US do *not* appreciate *any* shift in Mid-East policy, possibly causing the administration to back-slide a bit. Some interest groups don't want a more balanced or even realistic approach to the conflict.

Regardless of where one stands, there is no denying that Secretary Clinton (and Obama) has a tough road ahead of her given the upcoming meetings with Netanyahu in Washington.

 

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