Obama Further Explains 1967 Borders Starting Point
EmailABC News' Tahman Bradley reports:
President Obama went to the American pro-Israel lobby today to reaffirm America's commitment to Israel’s security, and to try to clear up the controversy caused by remarks he made earlier in the week over the starting point for a peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Obama set off a firestorm and clashed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after announcing during a Thursday speech at the State Department that the U.S. believes the prevailing borders before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, with mutually-agreed land swaps, should be the basis for negotiations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The president said today that that he thinks controversy over his comments erupted because his position has been misrepresented.
"Let me reaffirm what '1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps' means," he said.
" By definition, it means that the parties themselves - Israelis and Palestinians - will negotiate a border that is different than the one that existed on June 4, 1967. It is a well known formula to all who have worked on this issue for a generation."
Obama said the negotiation would allow for both the Israelis and Palestinians to account for new demographic realities on the ground and the needs of both sides with the ultimate goal of two states for both the Israelis and Palestinians.
"If there’s a controversy, then, it’s not based in substance", said Obama. "What I did on Thursday was to say publicly what has long been acknowledged privately."
Israel will face growing isolation without a credible peace process, Obama said, and the march to isolate Israel internationally and the Palestinians impulse to abandon negotiations will continue to gain momentum without a credible peace process.
"For us to have leverage with the Palestinians, with the Arab States, and with the international community, the basis for negotiations has to hold out the prospect of success," he said.
The president told the group he wasn’t surprised by the controversy over the past few days. "I know very well that the easy thing to do, particularly for a president preparing for reelection, is to avoid any controversy. I don’t need Rahm to tell me that. I don’t need Axelrod to tell me that," said Obama, in a reference to his close Jewish confidants, Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod.
There are facts that all side must face, Obama said. The number of Palestinian living west of the Jordan River is growing rapidly, reshaping the demographic realities of the Israel and Palestinian-controlled territories, technology will make it harder for Israel to defend itself without a peace agreement, and a new generation of Arab makes it harder for just Arab leaders to push for a sustained peace.
Much of the president’s speech focused on assuring the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee that his administration has made Israel’s security a priority.
"It’s why we’ve increased cooperation between our militaries to unprecedented levels. It’s why we’re making our most advanced technologies available to our Israeli allies. And it’s why, despite tough fiscal times, we’ve increased foreign military financing to record levels," said Obama.
Biden Reflects on Grief, Suicidal Thoughts 
Is Congress Sounding Dumber?
“Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don’t worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it.” – Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001, to Shimon Peres, as reported on Kol Yisrael radio
That was definitely true under Bush, and perhaps even under any other Republican, but it sure doesn’t seem to be true under the Obama administration. I am proud Obama is demanding the return to the 1967 borders. That is the only way there can ever be peace in the entire region. Next step should be to stop all aid to Israel until they return those lands. Netanyahu has declared war on Peace, but he cannot win that war without our money and he knows it.
Posted by: EffortPA | May 22, 2011, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
That is what the right-wingers can’t stand. They insist that we allow the parties to negotiate the agreement for themselves, as long as we lean only on the Palestinians.
Fox News is undoubtedly apoplectic, and probably apocalyptic too by now.
So President Obama is doing it just right.
Posted by: Jim | May 22, 2011, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
Only took the spin meisters 48 hours to come up with this one.
Posted by: LongT | May 22, 2011, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
Secretary of State James Baker told an American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobby group) audience on May 22, 1989, that Israel should abandon its “expansionist policies,” a remark many took as a signal that the relatively pro-Israel Reagan years were over. President Bush raised the ire of the Likud government when he told a press conference on March 3, 1990, that East Jerusalem was occupied territory and not a sovereign part of Israel as Israel claims. Israel had annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, an action which did not gain international recognition. The United States and Israel disagreed over the Israeli interpretation of the Israeli plan to hold elections for a Palestinian peace conference delegation in the summer of 1989, and also disagreed over the need for an investigation of the Jerusalem incident of October 8, 1990, in which Israeli police killed 17 Palestinians.
Posted by: DewyB | May 22, 2011, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
Just like the current President said, for over a generation we have tried to get Israel back to its Legal Borders to start real negotiations, and they have thumbed their nose at us. Time to start pulling out our stockpiles and favored trade status with them. We can still be friends, but for 40+ years they have been the bully on the block with our support and will not abide by international law.
Posted by: DewyB | May 22, 2011, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
Obama lit a firestorm with his pandering to the muslims, and is now walking it back, big time. No only is Israel a major ally, that he threw under the bus, but liberal jews were major contibutors to the Democrats. Were….
Posted by: WB | May 22, 2011, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
talk all you want but lets see who is still standing when the dust settles, my money is on Israeli
Posted by: don | May 22, 2011, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm
What part of “It’s none of your business” do you not understand Barack?
You are not King of the World.
And we are not giving you a crown and scepter.
Do your job in the United States or leave office. Simple as that.
Stop taking Jake Tapper to power lunches so that he will write these pointless articles about you attempting to convince Americans that “yes we should let you run all over the world and starve Americans at home”.
(paraphrasing)
Please cease and desist denying the American people civil rights and Congressional authority.
Or – we’ll impeach.
Obama is destroying this country.
Not a king.
Posted by: American Citizen27 | May 22, 2011, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
While the Israeli Prime Minister calls the ’67 borders indefensible, it is the substantial American subsidies to the Israelis that will be indefensible, if that society doesn’t acknowledge the blunder that building on land you don’t own represents. Most of us tax-paying U.S. citizens are tried of Israel playing its arrogant real-estate games. The only true hope for that region rests in the Palestinian society realizing that peaceful economic co-existance with Israel is in their own best interests. The potential for progress of the Islamic reformation is another factor that may make new reasonable initiatives bear fruit. Once women Arab leaders take charge, I bet the conversation will get on a better trajectory.
Posted by: edwidder | May 22, 2011, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
We know about all the concessions demanded of Iisrael..now tell us what is demanded of the Palestinians ??? Recognize Israel ? THEY WONT Stop spread of terrorism ? THEY WONT… Agree to mutual land swaps ? THEY WONT…Hence there is nothing to discuss…Obama has led the Palestinians to believe that they wont have to give up anything because Israel will cave in. THEY WONT …
Posted by: junglejim123 | May 22, 2011, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
“The president said today that that he thinks controversy over his comments erupted because his position has been misrepresented.” Oh, puh-LEEZ. He provides two sentences in an attempt to quell the backlash. How much more verbage would this “clarification” of his meaning actually taken in his original comments to avoid it altogether? If he had actually MEANT mutually acceptable renegotiation of the 1967 borders he would have SAID mutually acceptable renegotiation of the borders. At best he was dropping a provocative comment and then using the ensuing response to backtrack/redefine the intent of his statement.
Posted by: Publius | May 22, 2011, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
Oh lookie, here we have Obama saying “Hey, this is the same thing that Bush, Clinton and those that came before were pushing for. Only due to bogus press I had to come out and explain it further to those of you simply interested in hating on me without knowing your own US foreign policy history.”
Posted by: MaeMobly | May 22, 2011, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
Jim, I realize the left believes Fox News is the single most powerful news outlet on the planet but it’s just not true.
So long as the left cannot understand the difference between news reporting and news analysis/commentary, it will be fated to watching Fox News to keep tabs on it.
Posted by: MizFW | May 22, 2011, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
Israel belongs to the Jewish people. God gave Israel to the Jewish people. Former PM Aeriel Sharon gave up some parts of Israel and a few weeks later he went into a coma where he remains today. God means business and he has the final word not the governments. Some things are true whether you want to believe them or not.
Posted by: Sharon | May 22, 2011, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
The truth is there will never be any peace unless Israel releases the land it has taken as aesult of the 7 day war. Most countries do not support the occupation, former President Bush and others have advocated many of the points President Obama does yet he was not attacked in the manner you attack Obama. Obama has pledged to continue our suport for Israel yets hopes they want peace, he does. Stop with the attacks, look up this issue and you will see the big picture is for peace for all.
Posted by: realnard | May 22, 2011, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
There is always the 2nd speech to explain what he meant in the first speech. Look at the smug look on Obama’s face…it screams ” I just fooled all of them again…damn I’m good !!!! The Jewish community will endanger Israel if they donate anymore money and support to this charlatan … they seem to forget that he was negotiating with HAMAS before he was even sworn in…. Wake up !!!
Posted by: junglejim123 | May 22, 2011, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
Obama, put aside your concern for borders in other countries and worry about the US Border, for once. Instead of meddling in other’s affairs and always working for your coreligionists half-way around the world worry about issues facing America!
Posted by: Ed | May 22, 2011, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
What i meant to say is…uh… well I was misquoted and my statements misrepresented…uh…..ah…..my telepromter was not working….. I was uh…. not responsible for what i said … uh…uh the previous administration..uh…….ah
Let me check with my friend convicted felon George Soros to see what i needed to say…..I’ll get back wit ya
Posted by: Yep I said that | May 22, 2011, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
Gee, President Obama, I didn’t realize how stupid we all are. I guess we just didn’t understand what you were saying. It seems that what you said is the opposite of what we thought. Or is it? Sarah Palin, who I despise, is starting to look pretty darn good for the next election…
Posted by: Roscoe Chait | May 22, 2011, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
” By definition, it means that the parties themselves – Israelis and Palestinians – will negotiate a border that is different than the one that existed on June 4, 1967. It is a well known formula to all who have worked on this issue for a generation.”
No. That’s not what you said. You said that negotiations can only begin when Israel conceeds borders to what they were before 1967 with “swaps”. Try as you may, you’ve shown your hand for all to see. Smuck!
Posted by: LongT | May 22, 2011, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
Either Obama is getting the worst advise ever during his tenure thus far, or he is truly incompetent. OR, he has replaced Jewish donations with Arab donations.
Posted by: fulredy | May 22, 2011, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
Someone please explain how anything has changed in what the President said. He has consistently said that negotiatins should start with pre-1967 borders and and trade from there. When has he said antyhing different?
Posted by: jock59801 | May 22, 2011, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
Hey Thomas H, your bigotry is showing. You may want to dial back on the hate knob a couple notches. The President of the United States was elected by its citizens. If you don’t like him, good luck with your 2012 organizing efforts.
Posted by: edwidder | May 22, 2011, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
I think he needs to start focusing on our own dangerous borders!
Posted by: Kathy M. | May 22, 2011, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
ABC, Thanks taking down Thomas H’s post. Name calling hatred of our President is a bit much. glad to see someone’s on the switch.
Posted by: edwidder | May 22, 2011, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
People!!, Give the guy a break, I am sure he just had a brain f**t , since we are on this subject, Mr. Nitin-Yaho, (by the way Nitin means “very smelly or stinky”) in the Arabic Language, asked Obama on Thursday’s pres-meeting, how can we remove 40 year of accumulation of Israeli citizens that settled in the 1967 lands. Apparently Mr. Nitin, earned his name with this question by forgetting the fact that he is actually holding on his predecessors loot that caused the removal of Palestinians from the lands they settled in thousands of years ago up until the biggest robbery of mankind that started in 1948. So 40 > 6000. Or is it that one Israeli year is worth more than 150 Palestinian years..? Does anyone see arrogance here.? Some people need to drop the bias and be fair.
Posted by: prevailjustice | May 22, 2011, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
Yeah, just keep on believing that EFFORTPA, just keep on believing that ! Soros the money man has pulled Barack’s strings, that’s why the explanation came out !!!!!
Posted by: algorejr | May 22, 2011, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
Mr. Obama is unqualified by virtue of knowledge and experience to speak for our country in the area of foreign relations. In spite of this he feels compelled to make senseless pronouncements that reflect poorly on our country. Mr. President, if it can’t be done in a backroom with Pelosi and Reid, let it be.
NOBAMA…2012
Posted by: Ray | May 22, 2011, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
Obama needs to stop thinking he is the worlds police, and fix things here at home. What a dumb he is.
Posted by: John Smith | May 22, 2011, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
That’s pure BS. He made an error in judgment in referring to 1967, and everyone called him on it. Now he has to backtrack to save face.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | May 22, 2011, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
looks like obama has received threats and now he is trying to defend himsel… hehehhe freedom of speech from President hahaha
Posted by: sar | May 22, 2011, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm
Quit peeing in people’s pocket and then try and convince them it’s been raining.
Posted by: LongT | May 22, 2011, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
By definition Barack Hussien Obama is the worst president in US history and the greatest embarrassment to our nation ever. As for what 1967 boarders mean, it means 1967 boarders, but you will change that meaning to satisfy your prospective Jewish supporters because you speak from both sides of your mouth if not completely lie. Please resign and stop embarrassing yourself as well as our great nation.
Posted by: justinoinroma | May 22, 2011, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
Mexico wants to go back to the 1845 borders. The US got Texas, New Mexico, Southern California and Nevada from Mexico in 1845. Since that would solve our illegal immigration problem I guess you libs will support that right?
Posted by: discreettool | May 22, 2011, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm
‘Israel will face growing isolation without a credible peace process, Obama said, and the march to isolate Israel internationally and the Palestinians impulse to abandon negotiations will continue to gain momentum without a credible peace process.’
Could someone please tell me how Israel could be MORE isolated after this past week?
Posted by: piersitter | May 22, 2011, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
“Mexico wants to go back to the 1845 borders. The US got Texas, New Mexico, Southern California and Nevada from Mexico in 1845.” – discreettool
You make a good point discreettool, but what about settlements such as Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix? How about the Mexican’s RIGHT OF RETURN? Maybe that’s already happening and is called La Raza.
Posted by: Noz | May 22, 2011, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
(Seriously LANS, are you simple enough to think taking money away from Israel and putting it into Medicare is going to fix it? Really???) Look, basically what Obama did was threaten Israel (really dumb or just that arrogant). The suggestion that Israel would be “isolated” if they didn’t give in to talks or change is absurd; the support of the Jewish people for their homeland, politically, financially and spiritually, is one of the strongest the modern world has ever known. Regardless of what the international community (and our fearless leader) WANTS, Israel is going to continue to do what it pleases. It was a war; Israel won; there is no going back to 1967. And to acknowledge that Hamas is a terrorist organization and then insist Israel still engage in talks is like suggesting that America needs to enter a peace agreement with Al Qaeda. This guy talks out of both ends; he can’t even justify his own hypocrisy in this. Bottom line – NOT OUR BUSINESS. Obama’s arrogance is – I shiver to say – worse than Bush.
Posted by: Didntvoteforhim | May 22, 2011, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
Could someone please tell me how Israel could be MORE isolated after this past week?
Posted by: piersitter |
re-elect Barry.
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | May 22, 2011, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm
Could someone please tell me how Israel could be MORE isolated after this past week?
Posted by: piersitter | May 22, 2011 4:16:12 PM
Perhaps you missed the President’s statement that a U.N. declaration would not be enough to create a Palestinian state.
He sided strongly with Israel, even against the U.N.
Posted by: James | May 22, 2011, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
Back Stroke!
Posted by: ajax659 | May 22, 2011, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
The flip flopper is at it again! We truly have a clown running things.
Posted by: LLOYD C | May 22, 2011, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm
Mr Obama, hope it will be a fair deal.In one of your speaches you were refering to Palestinins as ”them”not once but several times. This not fair. This artical says ”to give full support to Israel, this shows of being one sided or playing a game. Let us all be Stright so better future is expected in the region.
Posted by: H Galea | May 22, 2011, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm
“Obama set off a firestorm…[when he said] the U.S. believes the prevailing borders before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, with mutually-agreed land swaps, should be the basis for negotiations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
That’s a bit of a stretch, don’t you think? After all, initial reaction was that it was pretty standard fare, and Republicans supporting it. After all, his stand was what the US has been saying for at least the last four presidents, and it is what Israeli policy has been since UN resolution 242.
We in the public are wondering why Netanyahu is backing away from Israel’s official policy, now that Palestine has agreed to it.
Is Israel’s motive (as many critics suggest) to simply never to agree to peace and use the process to grab as much land as possible? There doesn’t seem to be any other logical explanation.
Posted by: Flash Override | May 22, 2011, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
Some of you guys should Google past foreign policy and stop making fools out of yourselves. Seriously.
Posted by: MaeMobly | May 22, 2011, 9:10 pm 9:10 pm
Israel has been isolated and fighting for its survival since Day One. Which proves the point of why it was so necessary for jews to return to their ancestral homeland. They can only depend on themselves when it comes to their own survival.
The threat of isolation means nothing to jews and Israel. It is a given fact of Israel’s existence. The Palestinians do not want their own state – they want to eliminate Israel. Hamas’ Charter states it clearly. The Palestinians rejected a two state solution by the UN in 1948 and Arafat rejected it in 2000 at Camp David. Professor Obama needs to brush up on his history.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | May 22, 2011, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
Professor Obama needs to brush up on his history.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | May 22, 2011 10:03:53 PM
Quite the contrary, President Obama has clearly stated he and the United States stand firmly behind the state of Israel – and that Palestinians must accept this fully in order for negotiations to move forward.
As arab countries move from under the grip of repressive dictatorships and gain their own strength of numbers, Israel will have to begin to negotiate and compromise.
The fair establishment of a Palestinian state is essential to secure Israel. Anything less will result in ongoing conflict.
Posted by: Arnie | May 22, 2011, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
Some of you guys should Google past foreign policy and stop making fools out of yourselves. Seriously.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You are expecting too much of many Americans.
Posted by: Tibs | May 22, 2011, 10:40 pm 10:40 pm
yes we should all learn our news and history from Google! What a joke idea, if it wasn’t so sad. Besides the inane idea that one should just “look online” for facts, news, and information this posters ignores the connections between Google and the government(s) of the world, the censorship, the direct CIA connections, and the search algorithm that changes periodically. As well as the revenue generation directing people to certain sites, “news”, and “information”.
Posted by: Ed | May 22, 2011, 11:39 pm 11:39 pm
Does anyone really believe Obama cares about Israel’s security? His problem is trying preserve the Jewish vote while simultaneously promoting policies that will result in Israel’s demise. Wait until after he’s re-elected, Israel will be in real trouble when he’ll be less restrained by domestic politics.
Posted by: free_2_choose | May 22, 2011, 11:53 pm 11:53 pm
Israel will never go back to 1967 borders.
And I do not see any sound reasoning for it. Peace can be established without going back, if Palestinians want it!
Posted by: kottaras | May 23, 2011, 1:09 am 1:09 am
I say no with Israel, these people are unsatisfied war mongers that will never ever quit, theirs is a plight to exile out Israel and take over .
Why our government even caters any to the likes of Palestine is beyond me.
Give a bully your lunch money and next he wants your bicycle, the mathematics are as simple as that and Netanyahu knows this…he lives there, it is his Homeland. Palestine can disperse and go back to where ever it is they came from, the Arabs are so in love with them, they i`m sure would invite them with open loving arms.
Posted by: New Union | May 23, 2011, 1:18 am 1:18 am
I’m always fascinated by how the facts and perception gets so twisted when talking about the Arab-Israeli conflict. The only party that has shown that it wishes for peace and a two-state solution and that it is willing to make concessions to achieve it is Israel. It gave back Sinai for peace with Egypt. It unilaterally pulled out of Lebanon. It unilaterally pulled out of Gaza. It signed the Oslo Accords in 1993 which created the Palestinian Authority and set a path toward 2 states.
IN 2000, ARAFAT WAS OFFERED A PALESTINIAN STATE ON ALL OF GAZA, 95% OF THE WEST BANK, WITH A CAPITAL IN EAST JERUSALEM. HE REJECTED IT!!! INSTEAD HE FOMENTED A WAVE OF TERROR AND SUICIDE BOMBINGS. BECAUSE THIS SMALL DETAIL IS SO CONVENIENTLY OVERLOOKED BY SO MANY,AGAIN… THE DEAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN 2000, BUT ARAFAT AND THE PALESTINANS REJECTED IT!
Israel wants peace and two states but has no partner on the other side. The obvious key to Middle East peace is to have Hamas, the Palestinians and parties like Hezbollah and Iran stop the rocket attacks, and stop the terrorism, maintain security and recognize the right of Israel to exist. If they could do that then you would have something to build on. Anything other than this is just like giving up Czechoslovakia to Hitler. It’s a phony, wishful peace that will only bring much more vicious conflict for Israel and for the U.S.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | May 23, 2011, 1:26 am 1:26 am
It is about time a US president put the Jewish cons in their place. Stop them from all this crying about “them against the world” while treating the Palistines like the whites in South Africa treated blacks and how Nazis treated European Jews..
Stop giving US money to ungrateful friends!!!
Posted by: john3james | May 23, 2011, 3:57 am 3:57 am
His arrogance caused this situation had he waited until he talked to Netenyahu then made his statements it would have appeared he was consulting our allies, instead he cut them off at the knees. His ego is killing this country.
Posted by: hkdakota | May 23, 2011, 5:53 am 5:53 am
Key points missing from Obama statements on Palestine- Israel.
Obama leaves Jerusalem and refugees open questions to be settled after the “peace”.
President Obama-it is not peace-it is conflict continuation.
Israel will give away strategic defending assets and still get the continuation of Arabs domino game to destroy Israel.
–
Is Obama the modern times Chamberlin?
Will Israel be Czechoslovakia ahead of WW2?
Lord Caradon UK delegate toUN one of the authors of resolution UN 242.
“We didn’t say there should be a withdrawal to the ‘67 line;
We did not put the ‘the’ in,not say ‘all’ the territories deliberately.”
It would be Insanity for Israel to ever give up the entirety of what is commonly known as the “West Bank.”
—
President Obama said Muslim brotherhood is a legitime party.
Remember:The Nazi get to power in Germany by free elections.
1:”Hitler didn’t finish the job-The Muslims will finish the Job”
Muslim brotherhood leader speech in Cairo before 1 million people.
Broadcasted by BBC one month ago
2;”A Muslim can come closer to Allah by waging jihad against all non-Muslims,Christians,Jews, atheists, in every possible manner.
Dr. Ahmad ‘Abd about Al-Walaa Wa’l-Bara
3.Hamas Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh the Palestinian branch of Muslim brotherhood:
“We condemn the killing of Osama Bin Laden, an Arab holy warrior’”
Posted by: Ariely | May 23, 2011, 6:06 am 6:06 am
Whites, Blacks, South Africa? Oh my, I see the PC nonsense has set in. I hate to be so UN-PC but the the Blacks were far far far better shape while the whites ruled South Africa under Apartied. I know it isn’t what the libs or several others want to hear—but it is the truth. Since Blacks rule South Africa—crimes, graft, thugs, and just general corruptness has taken over. Many have been murdered…including Blacks.
Posted by: Football | May 23, 2011, 6:38 am 6:38 am
It probably would be best for obama to shut his mouth over the Israel issue. he is only making it worse
Posted by: DJ | May 23, 2011, 10:54 am 10:54 am
Of course having any foreign leader ‘lecture” Obama on matters he obviously already knows all about because they are nothing new in any way, is going to impress right-wing perpetual opportunistic critics. However the rest of America may not appreciate our insolent little ally, who largely depends on us for security, dilly-dallying around claiming they support a two-state solution while simultaneously saying a major hurdle to that very solution is settlement in the disputed territories, yet all the while they continue to build in the disputed territories. Meanwhile our skyscrapers are smashed down by terrorists, we fight incredibly expensive wars and our citizens are subjected to invasive security measures. When will America’s patience run out? If Israel really wants a two-state solution STOP building in the disputed territories.
Posted by: Skip | May 23, 2011, 11:25 am 11:25 am
Obviously, the two speeches don’t mesh.
Either Israel is going for the underside of the bus or the Arab world has already dismiss Obama a an American Janus … perhaps both.
The cynical view is that the State Department speech was “spot on,” but given the political realities, Obama is humoring the Jewish voters.
Either way Obama is either gaffe prone or a liar. Take your pick.
Posted by: John Q Public | May 23, 2011, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
A majority of Israeli’s want peace and are willing to concede lands to get it.
Natenyahu is the Israeli version of America’s Tea Party.
Many Israeli’s understand the Nation of Israel will not belong to the Israeli people twenty years hence.
If a peace plan separating Palestinians from Israelis does not come about soon, Israel will have to face a larger non Israeli segment of Parliamnet.
What that means is the Palestinians will be able to politically control Israel. Or Israel’s will have to form a different political structure.
A move that could cause them to be condemned by the entire world.
Obama is so bright. He is a realist and a person with long term vision. Obama sees the whole picture.
Look at the market today. It’s getting clobbered again. Italy and Spain’s ratings may be down graded.
What will happen if the US defaults on its debt payments rather than increase the spending limits? The world economy would collapse.
A while ago I remember writing on a different subject. Crowds surrounding Rand Paul, endorsing him to go to Washington were filled with people who were carrying signs which read, ” keep the governments hands off of my medicare”. There they were extolling Paul’s name as he told them, ” I intend to take away your medicare”.
What else needs to be written?
A full 80% of Americans do not want their Medicare changed in any way. Still, if anyone wants a serious run at the White House, they need to have Nordquist’s blessing. And that means yes on Ryans plan to do away with Medicare and no on raisng taxe4s.
Look at what Norquist and his APAC’s are doing to Sen. Tom Coburn. He is being smokes for even insinuating there is any alternative to Ryans plan.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Nordquist. He is the God Father of the Republican party.
SECREG_756
Posted by: secreg666 | May 23, 2011, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
It is a difficult situation – if anyone dares speak out against Israel you are deemed an anti-semite and other more harsh words. It is one thing to support a people to have a homeland and quite another to support a people to systematically occupy and take land that is “promised” to them and humiliate, demonize, destroy and ETHNIC CLEANSE an entire population. I support Israel’s existence but not at the cost of killing & destroying the entire Palestinian population. The original math was 55% Jewish /45% Arab… but that wasn’t enough. … now supposidely 78% israel/22% palestine.. in 10 years it’s going to be 99% jewish and 1% arab…. AND EVEN THAT WON’T BE ENOUGH!
Posted by: Brooklyn Mommyofthree | May 23, 2011, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm