3 No's redux...

Famously, the Arab world in 1967 at the Khartoum conference, issued their three "No's"
1) No peace with Israel
2) No negotiations with Israel
3) No recognition of Israel

Of course, with his apologies to the Arab world, and throwing Israel under the bus, Obama was supposed to get "yes" from this part of the world.

Instead, the "no's" keep ringing in, more strongly than ever.

Three came in quick succession:

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last Friday, then told the media that "incrementalism and a step-by-step approach has not and - we believe - will not achieve peace. Temporary security, confidence-building measures will also not bring peace."

Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh met with Secretary Clinton this week and also rejected appeals for specific actions toward Israel, saying: "In the Middle East, there has been in the past an over-investment, perhaps, by the parties in pursuing confidence-building measures, conflict-management techniques, including transitional arrangements, and an overemphasis on gestures, perhaps at the expense of reaching the actual end game."

The Emir of Kuwait, Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah met with President Obama. While his words were more positive, he did not make a specific commitment to confidence building measures.
Noah Pollak at the Commentary blog remarks that the current tension between Israel and the U.S. will not advance Obama's Mideast agenda:

When the U.S. distances itself from Israel and curries favor with the Arabs, the Arab reaction is not to jump on board with the Americans and present a united front against Israel, the better to extract concessions. Instead, the Arabs respond by increasing their demands and redoubling their intransigence — because the Arab states really have little to gain from a Palestinian state, and actually a lot to lose. The Palestinians and the peace process have always been a tool to be used for beating up on Israel, and nothing else. This has been the cruel Arab game since the 1940s. The president still doesn't get it.

But these were just the precursor. After Israel provided security and access for the Fatah party meeting in Bethlehem, Fatah made pronouncements far more violent and radical than seen in 15 years.

Worst among these perhaps, was the announcement that despite claims that it had been disbanded and did NOT represent the party, Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade was in fact, the armed wing of the party and it's actions represented the party's position.

Of course, they also affirmed the validity of attacks anywhere in Israel.

Appeasement? Yeah, that works.