trips i have made to egypt where you could talk about there is a great deal of circumspection. this in security? when we would try to talk, we would return to the peace proce ss. it proved nearly impossible to get anything on this [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] organized solely with only talk about the peace process, which was educational but proved a

it of a disappointment. i was most struck by the person who spoke the longest, one of the chairmen of the investment committees. our delegation in consisted longley of new york -- largely of new york investment capital. it is a bit of famous opportunity. i wanted to not get into issues related to the electrical process are what is happening in egypt. he tried to give the speaker to talk a bit about domestic observers. that discussion was stiff armed , unfortunately. thankfully, we read able to

meet with members of the egyptian civil society and political activist young people who expressed a couple of different sentiments. one was that what the national democratic party was doing was its own a fair -- affiar. -- affair. it does not happening within broader society. they need to invent some critical process to make a better for them. we also heard this.

this is on the whole dialogue with the egyptians on where they were going in terms of political and domestic reform. another message that was clear is that egyptian civil society is not looking to the united states to lead it in any way. we need to do what we can change things. it is something we should seek to nurture. my overall impression was that egypt is completely and entirely focused. it is worried about to ensure the plan which seems to be just

around the corner. in the meantime, a restless population is looking for a change. expectations are rising. the ability to deliver services is that keeping pace for t. everyone we talked to seem to be holding their breath. that is not a recipe for confidence in international affairs. without a successful resolution of these internal dilemmas, the ability to be a creative and energetic partner of the united states will be sharply limited in any endeavor we choose. thank you. >> thank you.

it was a delight to travel with both of you. they brought this trip forward to fruition. without her and her team, we cannot have done it. i want to thank her and my colleagues. keeping with what rob said, i am sure he wants to talk about jordan and more of the top we got from the keen to, which was very upbeat. thegoing to focus on israeli/palestinian issue. rahm mentioned some people we met. b mention hoss -- ron labeo

some of the people we met. abbas was very welcoming. [unintelligible] we are trying to new people' the renault officials. i would like to say my main impressions. let me say a word on the end. one is the ground cooperation. i tried to get data. they have some hard facts. i would like to talk a little bit about what is going on in

the ground. i see it driven by a few factors. one is clearly a converging interest between israel and the palestinian authority when it comes to hamas and limiting them from acting in the west bank. they got a call there was a little bomb factory. 10 people were arrested. it is not done for our benefit. they said it was true. the operation is fantastic. there is an over arching convergence of interest. one is clearly what i would say culture of accountability. that is a driving scene of the prime minister.

you cannot really speak of a bottom up without a top-down approach we are doing this because of it. there are a key element here. it depends on your point of view. some people say feed do things of this self interest in mesa tactical -- less tactical. it is sustainable over time. no one thinks the government is building a two-stage solution.

i sought in a positive light. i will take of the 120 new schools have been built in the west bank. you do not need this idea of double shift. there is no more double shift. 1,400 kilometers of water and networks, 15 new health facilities. 1,700 kilometers of roads paved this is a big issue.

a big focus. 50% tax revenue collection has gone up. a 50% increase at the time of a recession. it says that the institutions are starting to work. on economics, and a drop in dependency on foreign aid. - one went right into the budgetary support. next year it is 1.2 billion. i do not see people facing these

things. they think this is a case they can make even for a republican congress. poverty in has decreased by 1/3. unemployment is trending down. there is 8% to 9% growth. what is the main on securities? 73% of palestinians say security forces were for the palestinian people. their graduation exercise is attended widely by family. this is something that has more and more by the end of the public. 63% say they fl secure in their own town. according to the commander in 2007, there were 700 shooting incident in 2007. in 2009, it was down to 19. this year, we thought the number

was even lower. most import lane is the corporation -- importantly is the corporation. the training is done in the e iman -- yemen area. there is not been one case and then using firearms against israelis. they have been reopened. you have heard me before.

this has meant that preachers who were agitating for suicide bombs have been removed from mosques. it is an effort to start reforming the colleges where they train them. this is an important mosque initiative. it is one the most important part is going on. the israelis from a few years ago. it is at 43. it is devoted to the west bank. there is this cooperation. israel has reduced rates. for the palestinians, the numbers went to 0. there are statistics on an average 24-hour time frame. the palestinians will say 0.

the israelis will say we share intel and that their son that they cannot share. i think it was the security doctor. there is no pelorus them. they are no malicious. there were some elements of the quartet. if the war willing to compromise on. they were firing. i do not think they are trying to arm themselves. you can look at going back.

that is just in terms of data on the ground. where are we now on the 90 day issue? i know this is a knowledgeable audience. what can we say we know? in the middle of last year, the parties were finalized. the texts are coming out from the u.s. but if there were four points in the tax cut. some are pretty minor. some had been worked out. there are some issues not in the text that kept the shadow. if the air not done quickly, -- if they are not done quickly, it could leave things to unravel. what are those non-sexual adams -- non-textile items?

i think it is clear that he made hillary clinton a verbal assurance that during the 90 days there is been meaningful progress on the territorial issues. it to be done in parallel. it may negotiate them. i think it'll be a parallel set of agreements. as you can imagine, no surprises there. the u.s. has a clear verbal commitment that there will be progress. i do not think anyone believes

that in 90 days you can solve the territorial issue. i think this is meaningful progress. the administration believes that without this, it is keep looking at the issue differently. he calls in the light at end of the tunnel. i think that is accurate. they believe that the settlement issue of a difference and they will not be asking for another extension. water these non textile issues? -- wha a these non texti issues? to keep them from joining a

six, the ministers clearly conveyed a desire to ramp up housing in east jerusalem. no one is arguing about it. the united states administration can only recommend to congress about these a 35 planes but there clearly, if you like some

hedging that if it did not that it will come from somewhere else in the budget. i assume that part is not clear there the eighth fallback understanding on this so he can present to this cabinet that it is hell or high water the third elements is that they have been hearing reports that he is not as much focus on the territorial issues. they do not see it as walking back. it is very hard for a washington audience to understand this. i thought i needed to drill down what exactly the concern. israel believes that the main asset is the border and terceira asset. clearly, if your focus on

security and borders, will the chips be useful on jerusalem refugees? netanyahu talked about progress on all fronts. everyone wants progress. everyone in this room was progress. the question is, what is doable? that is where you get into some people trying to get him not to use that phrase. is this a semantic point? it is semantic, the administration will live with it. those are the issues. people will say that you wrote about this. does this mean it is off? i believe it will come up again. this is the one issue that the palestinians were concerned

about. he said israeli troops to be braced there. it is a traditional arrangement. you could try to read between the lines. how did netanyahu played this politically? the papers say that 14 of the factions that signed a petition? my team has come up with 10 names that we say have sign on to this position. whether it is in our 14 is sizable. what does he do? i think the efforts could escalate. it is a time -- cited the times that he cannot reach an agreement. not bother reading him.

he clearly has a future as a public speaker. who knows. they tend to come back. i when not where that out. of the fishing could escalate. for some believe they started to late. you did see a situation that the demonstrations will circulate. what does he do? tactically, he is done something that is useful for him. he is going for a round of talks. what it has done is that it has kept the more recalcitrant evidence. that was when the biggest lessons.

he has 28 seats for them there is no threat against him this way. you can say they got into terry l. conversations. anything could happen. . maybe they have a conceptual understanding. this of the a huge move. it would tell people about the contours' of a deal. how he juggles it is something we will see.

it is clear she has been offered something or there has been hence. it seems it is more as a fifth wheel. if you want to join, fine. we are of business people. then you buy a majority shares. what she once has not attacked the car. they have an understanding about a common destination. >> i agreed that this will

always be the number-one issue. there is redundancy the facing to be sacrificing feet in their -- speed in their country. is it because of this famous warned that people are talking about? we do not have the source of operational questions. clearly, and the issue, we were told 70% of the defense. they can pay -- play this game. it is crucial. i think he said it well. the sanctions are working. they are pleasantly surprised. i will focus on a provocative

way to end predell. it is in terms with the role. i felt the news had not reached all the corners of the middle east where we were. we raise the questions. i tend to think that what could happen is that netanyahu may emerge as the lobbyist for the arabs in the new republican congress. he will cut off egypt and jordan and israel. he emerged as someone that tries to work with republicans who met with whoever is there. he met with them very early.

he may say to be careful. it is easier for him to do it. t.think he might do it for the netanyahu is summoned boys they may listen to. that was an idea that i'd bounce around with people. i did not feel the full news of our midterm news permeate. i think that is a little peace to end them. thank you very much. [applause] >> if you could use the microphone in the middle, press the button and identify yourself.

>> thank you for a comprehensive look at the situation. i like to pick up on something you said about the general feeling of calm on both sides. did you get into any discussions about how long that calm could be expected to continue with out. progress on the front? >> this was a common discussion. we had with the israelis and a political level and military level.

nobody would offer and how many months and weeks. i think i tried to relate with the general consensus that no one suggested that these two trends were totally independent of each other. there is some linkage out there and. he has said, we will deal with the situation as it is for the. no one gave a date for the most positive assessment is the one i gave you. it is remarkable that this has

been achieved in a time when there is 0 diplomatic engagement the argument they need diplomacy to get this started is not true. it is false to a system that it can go open ended, especially if the perception is that whatever narrow door might be open will be slammed shut. what does that mean? imine to have time in front of us when the parties can gauge. -- engage diplomatically without fear that it will collapse. that is the case predell. will it take is to the end? i cannot give you a time frame or not.

it to be a function of the perception of the possibility of diplomatic engagement they clearly have not reached the low point now. they may have good reason. they have not reached it. there is clearly a long way for them to go. this is a hopeful assessment that i come away with. >> you are a seasoned observer of the israeli politics. do you think the netanyahu has a map in his pocket that he is going to be willing to put down? is there any sense that what they are looking for is a security treaty that will be

formalized in? >> i do not know if he had a map in his pocket. you have to look at where the blocks are. the roughly converges exactly with the israeli security barrier. 92 sermons on the other side. -- 92% is on the other side. you have to assume that. i look into voting records. the settlers have voted to the one.

if you want to drill down, i did do it, report. i got every settlement on their vote. i'd think most people would say if he could get a block he could get 80% of the settlers. the remaining 20% are scattered. we can get into this for them it is too soon to know. he may try. he does not know. he may have a problem 1c opens the map. that the become a code word for the opposition for them and makes me believe there is a back channel that would enable them to make a lot of progress.

i tend to believe him for them he has told other that he sees a changing radically -- radicalization. he tells people that the palestinians will probably blow it again might have learned in .he past for th the need to have a strategy. who wants to expose himself once and expose the political

capital. she can fracture it. she fears lieberman that if he fractures to assume, a lot of the rights will go with him. his traumatized by the river agreement of 1998 ford people the right to abandon him. his decision making is there yet. if you say give me one piece of

paper, someone said they have it for you. this is what i because even though it won't be presented as a solution, that's the way he feels it will be presented. this is a day. he is at a crossroads. it of the interesting to see where she goes. the second point about the treaty is interesting. there is a zionist at those - ethos of self-reliance. others say it still be a hop, skip, and a jump three deterrence policy recruit a deterrence policy.

some say that as defeatism. some will say they can all work together. a do not think we are there yet. >> will we see more israeli discussions? one way to get around the decision question is the old which are notits to the, deposits to the other side.

it is important to note that despite israel's will earn a reputation for leaking, the conversations between the president and the prime minister have been extremely close holds. they have been very well kept between them. they have kept their level of confidence on the types of levels, stations they can have with each other. yes, sir? >> thank you for that for the.

>> how has the movement -- is it on their radar? has it impacted the way they are working on their countries? is this entering their calculus at all about to deal with it? >> no sure -- in short, no. i did not see there is a relation one way or another. i do think that there is more of a sense with in egypt and have that scope. there is still more space than there was before.

there is something there. i do not think what is happening is pulling in the domestic political debate in either country. >> did you get a sense of what specific expectations they have about the u.s. leadership? it is not engaging. they have done a fair share.

>> if you are looking for consistency, you are in the wrong business. regardless of what people thought about the invasion and 2003, everyone was concerned about what the message of americans withdraw from iraq has meant. does this mean that america is decreasing the assets in the persian gulf? are they decreasing it with a run -- iran? are they decreasing ability to restore security and give them greater opportunities to spread the influence? we heard that across the board.

we heard the cairo speech was excellent. where was the implementation. it could be forced. perhaps even formulized the takeover. where's the united states? the region is not moving in a positive direction.

the isolation strategy of previous years sapodil. they will make the pilgrimage to damascus for t.

>> they have made efforts. they have huge influence in the world that i cover and that we both live in. are you going to try to get that message out? >> i will be in los angeles next .eek a coc i do not you say there are no issues out there. i saw there is the report.

the western world has no connection. i have issues, too. i think there is a terrorist. and i think it see it was the of the era town council. these are things we need to be vigilant about. i think it is one metric. i think there are 30 metrics need to look at to give us a better picture.

abbas' hope is that they reconvene the committee. i will still go across the country. someone will say there is a photographer and a meeting between president obama and net and yahoo! in march. that will give more attention than 100 memos. it is not matter. symbolism is important. mr. not pretend it is the only metric. i had seen these in a broad

context. outgoing to keep speaking across the country and give the of dates when i can. >> i think that is exactly right. this is an evolutionary process. we heard positive reports about changes in moscow mos -- in mosque supervision. both of these things occur at the same time. that is why any good analytical work.

then we will come over here. >> you have to press the button. >> what about the rule of the muslim brotherhood in egypt? >> what a striking to me is that the government has been tracking it down. i think the number is over 1200 at the local level.

it is for the government to be able to show that the success that the muslim brotherhood had 2005 that the public support has dropped significantly. that is one of the narratives that will come out from these elections. we had a session here yesterday or refocused on each attendee election ship them the brotherhood voters are perhaps the most hard-core. they are the ones who strive the hardest.

the vast majority of egyptians are the politicized. did get the 2005 elections and conclude that the brotherhood did reach the peak in the ability to produce results, it only succeeded in getting less than 20% of the seat from th. it will create the challenge the do you cannot allow other liberals to emerge in competition. the muslim brotherhood for now does not seem to be a political threat to the egyptian regime. >> is there any discussion of

gaza and the egyptian approach? did you meet with people? how wide a spectrum did you leave it? >> my question is, what is your reasoning for why it is that netanyahu is not taking the initiative and leading toward peace? while we not act on it? -- why will he not act on it?

>> i will leave my colleagues to correct me on this. now that i think about it, and all of our meetings with officials in egypt, i tuna remember -- i do not remember gaza featuring heavily in the discussion. it is much more focused on what the united states can do to get the israelis back to the table. i do not remember anything on efforts to do more or to promote palestinian reconciliation between the authority and hamas. >> this was a highlight, watching a diplomat at the

height of his power to produce lead. -- sleep. >> we are grateful. some want to cut diplomatic water boarding. that is another matter. i tend to talk to the people. we are very crunch for time. e, t hatcting for peac is a fair question. back not and now a new project netanyahu's seems to agree on the objective.

-- president netanyahu's seems to agree on the objective. you still need a strategy for the objective. you can avoid any sort of head on collision. he knows the politics best. i hope on both sides that there is more of a conditioning of the societal landscape. i feel that is really missing. i had a lengthy back and forth on the state issue. i said i him many times. i know your answers before you are going to save them. when you do not give a justification of why, they fill in the blanks for you. they will interpret your lack of a rationale as meaning you think

the jews do not have rights. you may think it is doing it because it has to be worded in a way that should stay with the jews. for the eve caveat is on finis fadel issues so as not a backdoor way for them. he may say it is a bargaining chip. these are all things people can relate to and fix. we do not give any reason, and the people who gain are only the right-wing people in ameca and israel who interpret it. this is something he needs to fix. these are historical and legitimate claims on both sides. thre is some way to get at people's angst. he is afraid he will sh unleac

underminet iwlt will his coalition. we need that to get people to believe again after what happened in the 1990s. we all know why each side feels jaded, but without the support of the middle, leaders cannot do it on their own. they feel if i and knowledge what the other one does, it put pressure. that is what i look of the missing piece.

>> let me close with two comments by to the people with whom we met. i thought these were very important in a broader spectrum. top chief ofrael's intelligence to after giving his briefing about intelligence threats included for the first time included 100,000 missiles. it was a strategic threat t israel's well-being. it is right up there with a run -- iran nukes. in a different way, and that same idea a good by the pri

nister of egypt. the san that israel -- they said is struck everybody with his comment thataid the conflict if we are not careful is in the process of morphing into a jewish moslem conflict. -- jewish/muslim conflict. it will take of our power to resolve. this is from someone with no interest in having this civilization no clash dominate the way people and his country in the region view regional politics. he is on the wrong side of that. i thought it is important for all of the upbeat messages that we come back with.

it is important to underscore these very powerful messages, one from israeli and one from arab. thank you for joining us today. [applause] >> in a few moments, headlines and calls live on "washington journal." at 10:00 eastern, jeff bridges talks about efforts to combat childhood hunger. after that at 11:00, jane goodall on her love of nature and animals. the chief justice john roberts talks to college students at