The Washington Times
By Christina Bellantoni
To punctuate his call for a two-state solution to end the stalemate between Israelis and Palestinians, Mr. Obama used the often avoided term "Palestine."
He lauded the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel but said "the pain of dislocation" for Palestinian people who live daily without peace or security is "intolerable," and pledged America would not turn its back on them.
"The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met," he said, to applause, promising he would pursue that solution with patience.
"For peace to come it is time for them and all of us to live up to our responsibilities," he said.
He said Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israels right to exist.
But in a line that drew applause, Mr. Obama repeated his promise the United States would not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements along the West Bank.
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Showing posts with label OBAMA israel muslim world. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OBAMA israel muslim world. Show all posts
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Obama pressure on Israel draws concerns in U.S.
Wed Jun 3, 2009 4:53pm EDT
By Susan Cornwell and Steve Holland
WASHINGTON, June 3 (Reuters) - As President Barack Obama courts Muslims in the Middle East, his pressure on Israel to halt Jewish settlement activity in occupied territory is starting to raise some concerns at home.
Some U.S. lawmakers are urging Obama to use caution in pressuring Israel, underscoring the political difficulty facing Obama as he tries to develop a more evenhanded policy toward Israel and the Palestinians.
Israel has strong supporters in the U.S. Congress, where Obama's fellow Democrats hold a majority and where most lawmakers are traditionally protective of the strongest U.S. ally in the Middle East, providing the Jewish state about $2.5 billion a year in aid.
Both political parties are raising doubts about Obama's pressure on Israel even as the president tours the Middle East, where he plans to address the Muslim world in Cairo on Thursday.
Before he left, Obama told National Public Radio that "a freeze on settlements, including natural growth, is part of (Israel's) obligations" -- a message he conveyed directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month.
Referring to Obama's demands for a freeze on settlements in the West Bank, Representative Anthony Weiner said, "I think the president went beyond where I think it was appropriate for us to go in dealing with another democracy."
LINK
By Susan Cornwell and Steve Holland
WASHINGTON, June 3 (Reuters) - As President Barack Obama courts Muslims in the Middle East, his pressure on Israel to halt Jewish settlement activity in occupied territory is starting to raise some concerns at home.
Some U.S. lawmakers are urging Obama to use caution in pressuring Israel, underscoring the political difficulty facing Obama as he tries to develop a more evenhanded policy toward Israel and the Palestinians.
Israel has strong supporters in the U.S. Congress, where Obama's fellow Democrats hold a majority and where most lawmakers are traditionally protective of the strongest U.S. ally in the Middle East, providing the Jewish state about $2.5 billion a year in aid.
Both political parties are raising doubts about Obama's pressure on Israel even as the president tours the Middle East, where he plans to address the Muslim world in Cairo on Thursday.
Before he left, Obama told National Public Radio that "a freeze on settlements, including natural growth, is part of (Israel's) obligations" -- a message he conveyed directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month.
Referring to Obama's demands for a freeze on settlements in the West Bank, Representative Anthony Weiner said, "I think the president went beyond where I think it was appropriate for us to go in dealing with another democracy."
LINK
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