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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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Mitchell to Israel Within the Week

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(Newser) – Newly appointed Middle East special envoy George Mitchell will make his first trip to Israel next week, possibly as early as Wednesday, the Jerusalem Post reports. Mitchell is expected to meet with top Israeli officials and leaders of the Palestinian Authority. The main priority will be ensuring that the current Gaza cease-fire holds. More in-depth initiatives will likely wait until after Israel’s upcoming elections.

Mitchell's trip, still not officially announced, could last up to 10 days and include stops in Jordan, Egypt, and the West Bank, the AP notes. Officials in Israel are eager to meet with Mitchell after their encouraging initial contacts with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the Post reports. Obama has pledged “to actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as between Israel and its Arab neighbors.”

Palestinians gather around a fire as they burn rubbish in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip.
Palestinians gather around a fire as they burn rubbish in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama looks on as Middle East envoy George Mitchell speaks at the State Department.
President Barack Obama looks on as Middle East envoy George Mitchell speaks at the State Department.   (AP Photo)
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton takes center stage with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Middle East envoy George Mitchell, Richard Holbrooke.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton takes center stage with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Middle East envoy George Mitchell, Richard Holbrooke.   (AP Photo)
Palestinian girls make their way to school passing destroyed houses in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip.
Palestinian girls make their way to school passing destroyed houses in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip.   (AP Photo)
Hamas' civil defense chief, Yousef Zahar, center in hat, gives a press conference in the ruins of a Gaza fire station.
Hamas' civil defense chief, Yousef Zahar, center in hat, gives a press conference in the ruins of a Gaza fire station.   (AP Photo)
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justme
Jan 24, 09 7:32 PM CST
Good luck Obama and Mitchell. Hope you can find Palestinians willing to move past the "kill all Jews" statements. Reply
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MarkFL
Jan 25, 09 12:37 AM CST
No doubt it is the toughest job on earth. Just as secularization brought peace to Ireland (with some help from Mitchell), that is the only hope for Israel. Jews need to stop pretending that God gave them land and Palestinians need to embrace non-violent means. If they were to lay down their rockets and bombs for one second, the world would begin to pay attention to the plight of the people under Israeli occupation. No doubt that this does not happen because of religion alone. Give it up people! There is no God and the sooner we all figure it out the sooner we will get over these ridiculous disputes. If it was just about land, it would been over 40 years ago. However, waiting for these two to become atheists might be an even longer wait. I won't hold my breath. Reply
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justme
Jan 25, 09 7:36 PM CST
I am a fervent believer but I can only agree with you that religion makes this worse. Just two notes, Israel has a secular government, as does the former PLO in the West Bank. Hamas is the exception and the main obstacle to the slow movement toward peace. Reply
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