BU Now » Gaza

Obama, Netanyahu meet again

Dick Taffe — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:39:26 +0000

With recriminations over Israel’s blockade of Gaza still erupting, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met with President Obama at the White House for a show of solidarity meant for political audiences in both countries. International relations Professor Augustus Richard Norton, a Middle-East specialist and author of “Hezbollah: A Short History,” says Netanyahu has been playing the same game with Obama as he did decades ago with President Clinton – provoke the U.S., then negotiate over petty concessions while demanding U.S. approval.

“No doubt, President Obama understands the Israeli leader’s game, so we should be watching for evidence of firmness behind the pro forma smiles. Will Obama choose the harder right, or the easier path of political expediency?”

Contact Augustus Richard Norton, 617-353-7808, arn@bu.edu

Israel eases Gaza blockade

Dick Taffe — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:43:12 +0000

Israel announced a relaxation of the 3-year-old blockade of Gaza, promising to ease the importation of some goods by land but not offering to lift its navel embargo. The move came weeks after Israeli commandos killed nine people on an aid flotilla trying to breach the blockade. International relations Professor Augustus Richard Norton, author of “Hezbollah: A Short History” and authority on Middle East politics, says if Israel was serious about improving the living conditions in Gaza, it would stop preventing the exports of agricultural goods and allow the strip’s simple manufacturing sector to resume making and selling everyday essentials.

“This latest decision is an arrogant in-your-face to the U.S. and other concerned members of the international community. Watch the U.S. government spokespersons’ reaction. If they commend Israel, then you may heavily discount Obama’s commitment to Middle East peacemaking.”

Contact Agustus Richard Norton, 617-353-7808, arn@bu.edu

Panel to examine Gaza raid

Dick Taffe — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:04:09 +0000

In an effort to stave off calls for an international inquiry and international criticism, Israel’s cabinet approved a government-appointed commission with foreign participation to investigate the deadly commando raid last month on a flotilla bound for blockaded Gaza. But international relations Professor Augustus Richard Norton, author of “Hezbollah: A Short History,” says the proposed Israeli panel falls well short of impartiality and credulity.

“The board is charged to address the blockade’s legality, but it is noteworthy that the International Committee of the Red Cross, not an organization given to rash judgments, has already noted that Israel’s blockade of Gaza is a violation of the Geneva Convention.”

Contact Augustus Richard Norton, 617-353-7808, arn@bu.edu

Israeli flotilla raid condemned

Dick Taffe — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:49:11 +0000

After the UN Security Council condemned Israel’s open-seas raid on a flotilla headed with humanitarian aid to Gaza, Israel says the 600-plus activists it arrested are being freed and expelled from the country. Law Professor Robert Sloane, an authority on international law, says Israel violated a very basic customary norm of international law: the freedom of the high seas.

“Had Israel waited for the vessels to enter Israeli waters, or at least what’s known as the ‘contiguous zone,’ then it arguably could have seized the vessels to enforce its blockade and prevent what it might characterize as smuggling in violation of Israeli law.”

Contact Robert Sloane, 617-358-4633, rdsloane@bu.edu

Israel says no to Gaza inquiry

Dick Taffe — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:37:57 +0000

Israel has dismissed the UN fact-finding mission’s recommendation that the Israeli government launch an independent investigation into “serious violations” of international law during last year’s war in Gaza. Journalism Professor Bob Zelnick, a former ABC News Middle East correspondent and author of “Israeli Unilateralism: Beyond Gaza,” says the UN report authored by South African jurist Richard Goldstone misses the mark.

“The Goldstone report is yet another example of how the UN’s anti-Israel bias has deprived it of any meaningful role in the peace process.”

Contact Bob Zelnick, 617-353-5007, bzelnick@bu.edu

Build on Bush’s Middle East Progress

Dick Taffe — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:32:13 +0000

Journalism Professor Robert Zelnick, former ABC News correspondent, a Hoover Institute fellow, and author of “Israeli Unilateralism: Beyond Gaza,” says Obama should build on Bush’s Middle East progress. With Secretary of State Clinton in the region, Zelnick suggests in the Christian Science Monitor how this can be done.

“If (U.S. special envoys George Mitchell and Dennis Ross) can learn from Bush’s mistake and embrace the positive aspects that came from his administrration, they could save themselves many redundant steps on the road to peace. If full-dress negotiations do produce accord, the key would then be ‘shelving’ agreement until the Palestinian Authority reestablishes sufficient control to implement it.”