Changes

====Middle East====

====Middle East====

[[File:Hillary Clinton Shimon Peres Jesusalem 2009.jpg|thumb|Israel's President Shimon Peres kisses U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as he gives her flowers after their meeting in Jerusalem March 3, 2009.]]

[[File:Hillary Clinton Shimon Peres Jesusalem 2009.jpg|thumb|Israel's President Shimon Peres kisses U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as he gives her flowers after their meeting in Jerusalem March 3, 2009.]]

In November 2009 after George Mitchell had been fired as Middle East emissary, Clinton finally took a foreign policy initiative in the highly sensitive Palestine-Israeli peace process. However, she offended the Palestinians by praising Israel for offering to curb its settlement-building program in the [[West Bank]]. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/01/palestinians-accuse-clinton-undermining-peace-talks-shift-settlements/ Palestinians Accuse Clinton of Undermining Peace Talks With Shift on Settlements, FoxNews, November 1, 2009]</ref> The Palestinians accused her of undermining progress toward Mideast peace talks(the Palestinians want to see all settlements dismantled). To try and make amends and smooth over Palestinians, she issued a new statement saying the US wants [[Israel]] settlement halt forever, “We do not accept the legitimacy of settlement activity and we have a very firm belief that ending all settlement activity, current and future, would be preferable.” <ref>[http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/in_cairo_clinton_clarifies_settlement_position_20091104/ "In Cairo, Clinton clarifies settlement position," ''Jewish Journal'', November 4, 2009]</ref>  

In November 2009 before George Mitchell's awkward removal as Middle East emissary, Clinton finally took a foreign policy initiative in the highly sensitive Palestine-Israeli peace process. However, she offended the Palestinians by praising Israel for offering to curb its settlement-building program in the [[West Bank]]. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/01/palestinians-accuse-clinton-undermining-peace-talks-shift-settlements/ Palestinians Accuse Clinton of Undermining Peace Talks With Shift on Settlements, FoxNews, November 1, 2009]</ref> The Palestinians accused her of undermining progress toward Mideast peace talks(the Palestinians want to see all settlements dismantled). To try and make amends and smooth over Palestinians, she issued a new statement saying the US wants [[Israel]] settlement halt forever, “We do not accept the legitimacy of settlement activity and we have a very firm belief that ending all settlement activity, current and future, would be preferable.” <ref>[http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/in_cairo_clinton_clarifies_settlement_position_20091104/ "In Cairo, Clinton clarifies settlement position," ''Jewish Journal'', November 4, 2009]</ref>  

Once again, Clinton's failure as Secretary of State comes into question as [[John Kerry]] plans a visit to [[Iran]], which Iran rejected. <ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126161465189603571.html?mod=WSJ_newsreel_us Kerry Floats Plan to Visit Tehran, Wall Street Journal. December 24, 2009]</ref> Kerry's name has been mentioned as the replacement of Hillary Clinton for the foreign policy arm of the [[Obama administration]]. <ref>[http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20091022_Kerry_plays_key_role_for_the_president.html Kerry plays key role for the president, Philly.com, October 22, 2009]</ref>

Once again, Clinton's failure as Secretary of State comes into question as [[John Kerry]] plans a visit to [[Iran]], which Iran rejected. <ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126161465189603571.html?mod=WSJ_newsreel_us Kerry Floats Plan to Visit Tehran, Wall Street Journal. December 24, 2009]</ref> Kerry's name has been mentioned as the replacement of Hillary Clinton for the foreign policy arm of the [[Obama administration]]. <ref>[http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20091022_Kerry_plays_key_role_for_the_president.html Kerry plays key role for the president, Philly.com, October 22, 2009]</ref>