May 18, 2009 11:43pm
Closing Argument: Obama and Middle East Peace
EmailPresident Barack Obama met today for two hours with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the peace process in the Middle East. While praising one another, the two leaders have clear policy differences. President Obama seeks a "two-state solution" that would create an autonomous state for Palestinians. Prime Minister Netanyahu does not. So tonight, we ask you, can President Obama play a useful role in helping negotiate a peace in the Middle East? Tell us what you think. And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.
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No, Obama is again wasting his time by trying to be a peace maker in the Middle East. He should be working on getting us single-payer, universal, nationalized pension and health-care systems. That is what I voted for him to do. He needs to get crackin’ on it. I am disappointed with his progress.
Israel and Palistine should just be left to duke it out between themselves once and for all, and to the victor goes the spoils. Whatever their beef with each other is, it is their business. The USA should stop getting in the middle of it.
Posted by: Proud Native American and Independent Voter | May 19, 2009, 12:09 am 12:09 am
This is a mismatch made in hell. Just when we have an American Admininstration who’s willing to state the obvious and to allow the Palestinian people to claim their homeland back, the Israelis elected an extreme right-winger. I doubt Mr. Obama has what it takes to affect change with Netenyahu mainly because the Israeli lobby is too powerful.
Posted by: Nasser | May 19, 2009, 12:10 am 12:10 am
No, Obama is not playing a useful role in Israeli -Palestinian talks b/c he doesn’t understand the strategic and historical value of Israel. Further he asks too much of Israel and too little of the Palestinians!
Posted by: Rich | May 19, 2009, 12:19 am 12:19 am
Obama may tone down the tension but I don`t think we will ever see middle east problem being totally solved.Not in at least my generation.
Posted by: Kassa | May 19, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am
No. Peace in the middle east and especially in Israel will not ever happen. Nations aligning against Israel is Biblical prophecy. The United States was founded under the beliefs that God is real, Jesus is the savior, and the Bible is the one and only truth we need as a human race. We are now a nation afraid to offend. We stood for what was right in WWII; against the disgusting murder of innocent Jews. Being Christian I now must fear that we will face similar hate, fear, and persecution. Many have clouded judgment on what is happening in our world today. Everything is not well and is not getting better. Some require facts to gain their trust and belief. I ask those who question my faith to crack open a world history book along with a copy of the New King James Version of the Bible. The literature is not hard to understand perhaps Shakespeare posed a more difficult feat to comprehend. President Obama’s intentions were noble and respectable, but it is a lost cause. We are taught as Christians that one may look in the sky and see clouds and know a storm is coming. Weather it be now or in hundreds of years the end is coming and we must be steadfast in our faith and continue to live in the word of God……
Prayer,
Father God please be with our president and those who will read and mock my faith. Lord please guide the president and those who have the ability to persuade masses. I pray tour hand be in their works and those who do not know you, may. In the Lord’s Jesus Christ name I pray. Amen
Posted by: Jane Doe | May 19, 2009, 12:29 am 12:29 am
President Obama lacks the knowledge and wisdom required to deal with this conflict. Israel’s existence is at stake and he does his best to look neutral to keep Muslims happy while trying to give lip service to Israel’s security. He isn’t flexible enough to get votes from the opposing party on most things, how can he deal with anything as big as the middle east? No way, he is an insignificant player at this juncture. At the end of the year Israel will handle it’s business. He has 7 months to do something or get off the pot.
Posted by: RobNClt | May 19, 2009, 12:30 am 12:30 am
The Future Middle East
Today the future in the Middle East, as we hear, sounds very bleak.
As people with a deceptive heart, are looking for a brand new start,
Moving many men to understand, a crucial need to remap the land.
This to eradicate the Land of Israel, totally justified by a wicked will.
The tiny land men call Palestine, will be subdued by a force Divine.
The promise given to Abraham, by the will of God will forever stand.
The terror that now rules the land, will be eliminated by God’s Hand.
The Lord Himself shall intervene, with His presence upon the scene.
The present land on the world scene, was the land of the Philistines.
That ancient land was conquered by, Joshua’s army for God on high.
It was never subdued totally friend, but that mistake was not the end.
Eternal God, whose land this is, through King David took care of this.
For God put David on the Throne, in that land which is Israel’s home,
As the King of the Promised Land, that God had granted to Abraham.
God swore to David as the King, the reign he began was everlasting.
He reigned as King in Jerusalem, where all shall see God’s Own Son.
The land will be subdued for sure, by Jesus Christ, Messiah and Lord.
Never again shall it be the same, after Jesus Christ begins His Reign.
Christ will purge The Promised Land, for the descendents of Abraham.
Then all of Israel shall live secure, under the Reign of Christ our Lord.
(Copyright ©01/2006 Bob Gotti)
Posted by: Bob Gotti | May 19, 2009, 1:19 am 1:19 am
One day there will be a man who will finally get Israel to sign a peace agreement. For 3 1/2 years it will seem like all is well. Then he will break the agreement and Israel will be turned upon. All of the nations will turn against Israel. Just watch and see. It has already been written. But there is more to this story. Just read the book of Revelation, Daniel, and Ezekiel to start. What is written there will come to pass, even if you don’t believe in it. Pray for the peace of Israel.
Posted by: Israel's future | May 19, 2009, 1:19 am 1:19 am
We must stop allowing Israel to take our support as a license to do whatever they wish. Most Americans do not condone the continuing arrogance of Israel in building settlements on Palestinian land. Continuing USA support should be contingent on Israel agreeing to support a two state solution. If they do not agree, we can let them find their own way out of their geographical mess. I strongly support the goal of Israel to be secure, but we don’t need them as much as they think. It’s time for them to be reasonable and accept a two state solution which gives the Palestinians a chance to progress. It could be a “win-win” situation, where both states would be able to devote more of their resources to the needs of their people.
Posted by: Robert | May 19, 2009, 1:35 am 1:35 am
Unite together as friends or die together as fools..that seem to be the result of the ongoing situation between Israel and the Palestinians. The other middle Eastern countries need to recognize Israel’s right to exist and Israel need to recognize the Palestinian’s right to a state and self determination. I do not know why Netanyahu does not want a Palestinian state but I know inorder for peace there must be unity or they’ll all die over there like fools.
Posted by: Stanley | May 19, 2009, 2:21 am 2:21 am
OBAMA MISSED HIS CALLING. HE’S A PREACHER NOT A PRESIDENT.
Posted by: Patricia | May 19, 2009, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
No he can’t.These people have been fighting for years.Does this president think he’s going to preform miracles.I don’t think so. He needs to get back to taking care of the US. Which he still can’t do. He’s all talk. He has no foreign relations experience,and no military experience.He’s a this point one big sheep hearder. Those are the people that voted for him. You can’t trust someone that is BSA.
Posted by: TONY | May 19, 2009, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
Yes, he can. Only if he put more influence on it things can change there and make things seem reasonal for everyone to enjoy.
Posted by: George Y. Thomas | May 19, 2009, 7:54 pm 7:54 pm
Patricia makes a good point. He’s a preacher, not a president.
Posted by: Proud Native American and Independent Voter | May 19, 2009, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
Obama negotiating peace in the middle east…a lamb among wolves “Alligator mouth, overriding parakeet wisdom”!!!
Posted by: crackmeupp | May 21, 2009, 11:29 pm 11:29 pm
Yes, I think that President Obama can do much to promote peace in the middle east. We have made much progress in that area. The issues have gone on and on for many centuries and even though there are clear differences among the people that progress can be made. Humanity has evolved but some of the issues there remain the same. It is time that people who care about people and who respect human rights suggest changes. Humanity needs to come together to create a world where people are able to live better and a higher quality of life.
Posted by: G, Raye Gnade | May 24, 2009, 9:28 pm 9:28 pm