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NY Jewish Week: "Mitchell quitting; what took so long?"

Submitted by James Besser

05/13/2011

(excerpts)

There's only one question I have about today's announcement U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell is calling it quits: what took so long?

Americans for Peace Now is worried.

"With peace efforts stalled, the entire world is wondering if Senator Mitchell's departure discloses a decision by the Obama Administration to back off further from peace efforts, said APN CEO Debra DeLee. "It is vital that President Obama demonstrate - through his actions and words - that this is not the case. Now is the time for President Obama to take charge personally of his Israeli-Palestinian policy. Envoys and shuttle diplomacy have had their day; what is needed now is resolute personal engagement and dramatic action from the President himself."

Read the entire article at http://www.thejewishweek.com/blogs/political_insider/mitchell_quitting_what_took_so_long

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The Nation: "George Mitchell Quits as ME Envoy" by Robert Dreyfuss

May 13, 2011

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Jerusalem Post: "US Mideast envoy Mitchell quits after 2 years"

By HILARY LEILA KRIEGER, JPOST CORRESPONDENT

05/14/2011

Announcement comes days before Netanyahu visit, Obama Middle East address; Mitchell's deputy David Hale to serve as acting envoy.