“Precisely because of our friendship, it is important that we tell the truth: the status quo is unsustainable, and Israel must act boldly to advance a lasting peace. The dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation.” President Obama, May 19, 2011
President Obama signaled a dramatic and welcome break with previous administrations in calling for an independent Palestinian state based on the borders prior to the 1967 war. Americans for Peace Now, the Jewish-American antidote to AIPAC, issued a statement of support.
The President did not address any of the thornier issues such as the Palestinian right of return or the status of Jerusalem. He criticized the settlements but did not demand a freeze and did not define them as illegal (which they are). And he had previously stated that the US would not support a unilateral declaration in the UN of an independent Palestinian state. His speech was a small step in the right direction.
Combined with his message that it "will be the policy of the United States to promote reform across the region and to support transitions to democracy" and backing that with pledges of financial support for Tunisia and Egypt, Obama's prosaic speech today moved towards a more balanced approach in the region.
Of course, as APN notes, it will take concrete actions on Obama's part to prod the Israelis and Palestinians towards a just peace. It will take compromise on both sides to end this conflict of more than 60 years. This will not be an easy thing - Israel's PM Netanyahu has already rejected the call for a return to the 1967 borders, the one concession to Palestinians in the entire speech. And the Israeli Ministry of Interior committee - acting with the authorization of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - was set to consider approving the construction of more than 1500 settlement units in East Jerusalem. Obama needs to find a way to break through this right-wing Israeli intransigence that has been so destructive of the peace process.
Yes, so thorny, dark and contracted...it reminds me of the situation in Ireland for so many years...people get entrenched in their identities and positions.....and then the eye for an eye ethic kicks in. Until major elements of the people call for it, war and injustice will continue. Egypt signaled change and hope but the force of separation and self-interest are deep and embedded in the psyche. We need more light!! Check out the Playing for Change videos on Youtube and get a lift from all this complicated tangle of ways lost and unhealed wounds.
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