Netanyahu's Entire Speech to Congress May 24 Video

Transcript.

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Netanyahu Needs to Convince Palestinians Not Congress

Netanyahu is picking a fight with Obama, his ally and the guy in charge around these parts, thinking that it's good strategy to alienate Obama in favor of republicans, thinking that it will get him somewhere, maybe a republican president in 2012. I guess he hasn't seen the GOP lineup.
Republicans are playing along. Any chance to slam Obama through cheap politics--they'll take it! Even if Middle East peace is at stake.

Netanyahu will speak to Congress tomorrow and he'll likely say the Palestinians are the obstacle to peace. But Congress doesn't matter and neither do the republicans. The world is moving and it's moving fast and Netanyahu needs to get on board a peace plan. And not as a favor to Obama, but for the sake of Israel, so says opposition leader, Tzipi Livni.

If Israel did not take a step to lead the peace process, it would inevitably be led, she said. Haaretz

This article is dead on:

Republican presidential hopefuls took Netanyahu's cue to pile on Obama. Governor Tim Pawlenty said Obama had "thrown Israel under a bus". Gingrich said Obama's ideas were "dangerous" and Sara Palin called him a "temporary leader".
But when Obama spoke Sunday at the Israel lobbying organization AIPAC, he had a blunt message: The U.S. will continue to back Israel to the hilt, but that won't be enough to reverse Israel's slide into international pariah status unless it manages to achieve a peace agreement with the Palestinians. Netanyahu could, no doubt, easily negotiate a peace treaty with Pawlenty or Gingrich or Palin in the course of an afternoon, but if he's incapable of doing what's necessary to conclude a deal with Palestinians, then no amount of congressional support is going to do anything for Israel's international position.
No matter how much of Capitol Hill Netanyahu manages to convince that it is the Palestinians that represent the main obstacle to peace, Obama seemed to be warning, he'll have a tough time convincing anybody in the rest of the world of his position. 
....
So, as the Israeli leader prepares for another love-fest in Congress on Tuesday, Obama is tapping his watch. And reminding Netanyahu that no matter how persuasive Eric Cantor or Steny Hoyer find his arguments, it's the Palestinians he'll have to convince of his peacemaking credentials if he's to reverse the precipitous decline in Israel's diplomatic position. Read more at Time

Netanyahu Pleased With Obama's AIPAC Speech

Watch Obama's speech to AIPAC here.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates were satisfied by US President Barack Obama's clarifications during his address to pro-Israel lobby AIPAC in Washington, Sunday.

One of the associates told Ynet that the speech was "befitting," and that they were particularly pleased with Obama's clarifications about considering the 1967 borders as the basis for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, but not necessarily as the final ones.

Obama's statements regarding the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit and the need of Hamas to abandon terror and recognize Israel also went over well.

Netanyahu was also quoted as saying that he was "appreciative of the president's efforts to achieve peace. I'm his partner in that. I am determined to work with president Obama to find a way to reignite the peace process. Peace is a vital need for all of us." Read more at Ynet News

Footnote: Netanyahu addresses Congress May 24.

Republicans Side With Foreign Leader Against Obama

Republicans side with Netanyahu against Obama, but Bush said the same thing as Obama. In other words, it's all politics and puffery.  Michael Smerconish hosts this round of Hardball:

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Romney Will Regret Saying Obama Threw Israel Under the Bus

John Dickerson leads a SANE discussion. David Sanger and Major Garrett both agree Romney will be sorry for playing to the right wing. Sanger: Obama may be the first to utter the words "1967 borders," but those words have always been understood. Obama didn't change the playing field. He changed the way presidents talk about the playing field.

Obama and Netanyahu Speak to the Press May 20

Transcript. Netanyahu will address Congress May 24.

Obama's Schedule May 20

All times are eastern.

10:00 AM	The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing Oval Office Closed Press
11:15 AM	The President meets with President Netanyahu of Israel Oval Office Closed Press
12:05 PM	The President and President Netanyahu deliver statements to the press Oval Office Pool Spray at the Bottom
12:30 PM	The President holds a working lunch with President Netanyahu of Israel Old Family Dining Room Closed Press
3:10 PM	The President delivers remarks to CIA Employees CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia LIVE STREAM  Pooled Press

Obama Hosts Netanyahu May 20

Update May 20: On May 24, Netanyahu will address Congress.

On May 19, Obama will speak on Middle East policy at the State Department. Press secretary Jay Carney characterized Obama's speech as sweeping and comprehensive. It will be live streamed here. The next day, Obama will host Netanyahu:

On May 20, the President will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a meeting at the White House. The leaders look forward to discussing the full range of issues of mutual interest to the United States and Israel.

Tomorrow, May 17, Obama is meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah at the White House.

Netanyahu Gets Mad at Justin Bieber. Seriously

Seriously? Seriously:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled his date with pop sensation Justin Bieber over the singer's refusal to meet with children living in communities affected by Gaza rocket fire, Channel Two reported on Tuesday.

The prime minister was scheduled to host the young singer at his office in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, before Bieber's Thursday night concert. Haaretz

I might add it's no wonder there's no peace in the Middle East.

Obama Speaks to World Leaders on Egypt

Obama and his staff discussing Egypt 

From the White House: 

The President has made a number of calls to foreign leaders to discuss the ongoing situation in Egypt. On Saturday, January 29th, the President spoke to Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey, Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Today, he spoke to Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom. During his calls, the President reiterated his focus on opposing violence and calling for restraint; supporting universal rights, including the right to peaceful assembly, association, and speech; and supporting an orderly transition to a government that is responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people. The President asked each of the leaders that he spoke to for their assessment of the situation, and agreed to stay in close contact going forward.

Hillary Clinton speaks about Egypt on This Week: "People are not going to stand by any longer and not be given the opportunity to fulfill their own god-given potential."  Watch

Israel's Resumed Building Threatens Peace Talks

Israel is also pushing for military action in Iran. Robert Gates disagrees:

Obama speaking from Indonesia (watch here):

“This kind of activity is never helpful when it comes to peace negotiations, and I’m concerned that we’re not seeing each side make the extra effort involved to get a breakthrough,” Mr. Obama said during a joint news conference with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here. He added, “Each of these incremental steps end up breaking trust.” NYT

I honestly don't understand why the Israelis and Palestinians want to continue to rip each other apart. They seem to want to fight until there is only one standing. More perspective--building announcements were made to embarrass Netanyahu?:

Obama's Press Conference with Mideast Leaders Video

This was the last press conference of the day yesterday. Obama, President Mubarak of Egypt, King Abdullah of Jordan, Prime Minister Netanyahu of Isreal, and Palestinian Authority President Abbas speak:

Obama's Remarks on Peace Talks With Mideast Leaders

Here's the transcript of Obama's remarks following his individual meetings with Mideast leaders.

Obama Warns Hamas - Video

Transcript.

Obama's Schedule Sept. 1 Includes Meetings With Mideast Leaders

Obama kicks off September with Mideast peace talks. Obama will meet individually with the heads of Israel, Palestinian Authority, Jordan and Egypt. He will speak to the press at 5:20 pm eastern and the leaders will hold a conference together at 7 pm. Live stream here. All times are eastern.

9:15 AM	The President participates in a call with FEMA Administrator Fugate on the preparations being made in advance of Hurricane Earl Oval Office Closed Press
10:45 AM	The President holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel Oval Office Pool Spray at the Top
1:30 PM	The President holds a bilateral meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority Oval Office Pool Spray at the Top
2:45 PM	The President holds a bilateral meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan Oval Office Pool Spray at the Top
4:00 PM	The President holds a bilateral meeting with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt Oval Office Pool Spray at the Top
5:20 PM	The President delivers a statement to the press Rose Garden Open Press
7:00 PM	The President and visiting leaders deliver statements to the press East Room Open Press
8:00 PM	The President hosts a working dinner with visiting leaders Old Family Dining Room Closed Press

New Mid-East Peace Talks Date Set for Sept. 2

Hillary Clinton announced a relaunch of Mid-East peace talks tentatively set for Sept. 2, bringing together Mahmoud Abbas and Benjamin Netanyahu.
It's interesting that CBS labeled this video--"Obama's vacations" as opposed to "peace talks to resume." I guess no one would watch if it was about peace talks because we'd much rather speculate and gyrate and play the Obama vacation game.

Obama's Press Conference on Netanyahu Meeting Video

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Obama Meets With Netanyahu

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is back at the White House.

Obama meets with him at 11 am eastern. At 12 pm, they'll a joint press conference. Look for a live stream at msnbc.com. Then they'll have lunch together.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will fly to Washington on Monday evening to meet with President Barack Obama for the fifth time since the two leaders took office.

A senior source in Jerusalem said that Netanyahu hoped the meeting would enable him to regain Obama's trust after months of tension regarding West Bank settlement construction. Netanyahu was planning to present Obama with a number of proposals for coordinating progress in the Middle East peace process, said the source. Haaretz

The only other scheduled meeting on Obama's public schedule is at 4:30 pm with Robert Gates.

Netanyahu to Meet With Obama at White House July 6

Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Obama July 6, according to The Israel Project.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Washington for talks with President Obama July 6, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss progress on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and other bilateral security issues.[1]

Netanyahu’s upcoming trip will be his fifth White House visit since taking office in March 2009.[2] Netanyahu originally planned to meet with Obama June 1, but postponed it in order to deal with the aftermath of a May 31 Israeli operation to prevent an illegal flotilla from reaching Gaza.[3 IP

Obama's Schedule June 1

Obama will make a statement to the press regarding the BP oil disaster at 12:15, following an update from the commission co-chairs. Live stream here.

At 2:30 pm, Obama will meet with his senior advisers.

At 6 pm, Obama will meet with President Alan Garcia of Peru.

Meanwhile, Obama's got another pressing matter to deal with, the Middle East. After the Israelis attacked a flotilla, headed to Gaza with humanitarian aid, there are a lot of unanswered questions.

From the State Department:

The United States deeply regrets the tragic loss of life and injuries suffered among those involved in the incident today aboard the Gaza-bound ships. We are working to ascertain the facts, and expect that the Israeli government will conduct a full and credible investigation.
The United States remains deeply concerned by the suffering of civilians in Gaza. We will continue to engage the Israelis on a daily basis to expand the scope and type of goods allowed into Gaza to address the full range of the population’s humanitarian and recovery needs. We will continue to work closely with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, along with international NGOs and the UN, to provide adequate access for humanitarian goods, including reconstruction materials, through the border crossings, while bearing in mind the Government of Israel’s legitimate security concerns. However, Hamas’ interference with international assistance shipments and work of nongovernmental organizations, and its use and endorsement of violence, complicates efforts in Gaza. Mechanisms exist for the transfer of humanitarian assistance to Gaza by governments and groups that wish to do so. These mechanisms should be used for the benefit of all those in Gaza.
Ultimately, this incident underscores the need to move ahead quickly with negotiations that can lead to a comprehensive peace in the region.