Palestinians are accusing the U.S. of softening its pressure on Israel in the Middle East negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced earlier that this week that the U.S. was not backpedaling in talks despite the outcry.
Several media sources are looking at how the U.S.-Israel relationship is playing a role in the ongoing peace talks.
So exactly how one-sided was Clinton's statement on Monday? We're looking at multiple sources that are analyzing this question, from Politico, Press TV, CBS News and FOX News.
Politico quotes a Middle East spokesperson in Washington who suspects a lack of strong U.S. leadership in the Middle East.
"I think [they are] in over their head and there is no strong, capable person navigating this ship. It all seems unprofessional, a policy drifting in different directions, thus projecting weakness to a savvy and cynical region that studies and looks for signs of strength and weakness."
An Iranian political analyst tells Iran's
Press TV the U.S. is trying to move past the settlement issues in Israel. Still a joint agreement between the U.S. and Israel that is forcing Palestine to comply to this unprecedented decision.
"Americans are convinced by Israelis that the freezing of settlements is not an issue anymore. So I think, now, they're putting pressure on President Mahmoud Abbas to go directly to the final negotiation of the whole issue, to go for the wreckage, so to say."
But
CBS reporter Wyatt Andrews says Israel won't stop building their settlements despite both Clinton and President Obama's requests.
"Administration officials say Secretary Clinton is now working the angles to try to un-stick this process, but the president's credibility in the region is what's on the line. He keeps demanding that the Israelis end these settlements, and they keep saying no."
On a different side of this story, former Ohio Senator Jim Traficant tells
FOX News host Sean Hannity the U.S. needs to be impartial.
"I'm not saying we should be friends over there with anybody. I'm saying we should be objective. We have developed serious enemies from a one-sided policy. And yes, I believe Israel through their lobby has manifested total power of the Congress of the United States."
How do you think Clinton's statement will change the peace talks in the Middle East?
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