"...Israeli officials have long preferred to bypass the State Department and peace envoys, and deal directly with a senior official in the White House. ...."Very few players are involved," said an Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The prime minister has said it is crucial that we do this in a discreet and quiet fashion."Ross knows both Molho and Barak well from his central role in the Clinton administration as Middle East peace negotiator. ... Ross originally joined the Obama administration as a senior adviser to Clinton on Iran policy. But within months - and especially after a difficult conversation with Saudi King Abdullah during a trip to Riyadh in June 2009 - Obama decided he needed Ross's expertise on the Middle East inside the White House. .....
Ross renewed his contacts with Molho. "It was high risk for Dennis, because he was, in effect, subverting Mitchell and Clinton," the source said. Tensions between the two countries, however, were too high for the Ross-Molho channel to be effective. ...
One reason if Netanyahu wants Ross to succeed he might accept the proposed 60-day freeze extension compromise offer Ross drafted in reportedly close consultation with Molho and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. But whether Ross's back channel efforts get results or just further convince the Obama White House that Netanyahu is taking advantage of their efforts to hug him so closely and be sensitive to his political constraints and security needs remains to be seen. ..."
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