Yesterday marked a stunning departure from decades of American foreign policy toward Israel. President Obama called upon the tiny nation of Israel to shrink back to the indefensable lines it shared with hostile neighbors, who still seek its complete destruction. Obama's message was clearly timed to provoke Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu before a scheduled meeting of the two men to discuss peace in the Middle East.
In an address delivered at the State Department today Obama said, "The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state."
The sharp veer to the left by the Chief Executive of the land drew a sharp and prompt rebuke from Israel's Prime Minister, telling Obama to take back his statements. “Israel believes that for peace to endure between Israelis and Palestinians, the viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of the viability of the one and only Jewish state. The communique continued, That is why Prime Minister Netanyahu expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of U.S. commitments made to Israel in 2004, which were overwhelmingly supported by both Houses of Congress. Among other things, those commitments relate to Israel not having to withdraw to the 1967 lines which are both indefensible and which would leave major Israeli population centers in Judea and Samaria beyond those lines.” The Israeli leader added, “Without a solution to the Palestinian refugee problem outside the borders of Israel, no territorial concession will bring peace.”
It is unbelievable that any American President would ask the tiny democratic nation, that has been a loyal friend to the United States and has been under constant attack from the beginning of its modern existance to commit virtual suicide by pulling back to the borders it had that insured its vulnerability before its hostile neighbors.
Here is candidate Obama in 2008 telling AIPAC that Jerusalem must remain undivided.
Now that he feels that he doesn't need the Jewish vote anymore, Obama can easily toss that campaign pledge under the same bus with Jeremiah Wright.
In an address delivered at the State Department today Obama said, "The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state."
The sharp veer to the left by the Chief Executive of the land drew a sharp and prompt rebuke from Israel's Prime Minister, telling Obama to take back his statements. “Israel believes that for peace to endure between Israelis and Palestinians, the viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of the viability of the one and only Jewish state. The communique continued, That is why Prime Minister Netanyahu expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of U.S. commitments made to Israel in 2004, which were overwhelmingly supported by both Houses of Congress. Among other things, those commitments relate to Israel not having to withdraw to the 1967 lines which are both indefensible and which would leave major Israeli population centers in Judea and Samaria beyond those lines.” The Israeli leader added, “Without a solution to the Palestinian refugee problem outside the borders of Israel, no territorial concession will bring peace.”
It is unbelievable that any American President would ask the tiny democratic nation, that has been a loyal friend to the United States and has been under constant attack from the beginning of its modern existance to commit virtual suicide by pulling back to the borders it had that insured its vulnerability before its hostile neighbors.
Here is candidate Obama in 2008 telling AIPAC that Jerusalem must remain undivided.
Now that he feels that he doesn't need the Jewish vote anymore, Obama can easily toss that campaign pledge under the same bus with Jeremiah Wright.