Obama's Astonishing Message on Palestine

My First Take On The Speech
Marc Lynch



President Obama's speech today in Cairo met the bar he set for himself. In an address modeled after the Philadelphia speech on race, he forewent soaring oratory in favor of a thoughtful, nuanced and challenging reflection on America's relations with the Muslims around the world (not "the Muslim world", which for some reason became a major issue in American punditry over the last few days). As he frankly recognized, no one speech can overcome the many problems he addressed. But this speech is an essential starting point in a genuine conversation, a respectful dialogue on core issues. After the initial rush of instant commentaries and attempts to inflame controversy pass, it should become the foundation for a serious, ongoing conversation which could, as the President put it, "remake this world."

snip//

Israelis and Palestinians. I'm still struggling to grapple with this truly astonishing portion of his speech. I don't think I have ever heard any American politician, much less President, so eloquently, empathetically, and directly equate the suffering and aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians. This is the one part which I have to quote:



This is quite possibly the most powerful statement of America's stake in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the urgent need for justice on both sides that I have ever heard. He posed sharp challenges to Israelis and Palestinians alike, directly addressing the realities of Palestinian life under occupation and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while also empathizing with Israeli fears. He positioned the U.S. as the even-handed broker it needs to be: "America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs." Left unsaid, but clearly in the background, was the fact that he has been matching those words with deeds by forcefully taking on the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

He also offered a powerful analogy to the American civil rights campaign and other global experiences to argue that "that violence is a dead end. It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered." I really like this analogy, which he extended well beyond America's shores. Some Palestinians will likely complain, though, that their own attempts at non-violent activism too often get crushed beneath Israeli bulldozers. How will the U.S. and the international community support such non-violent action and redeem such moral authority?

more...

http://lynch.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/06/04/the_speech

I am thankful every day that he won the presidency.

:D

:fistbump:

probably moreso than the older population which have carried on the mistakes of the forefathers (& mothers).

I think we should see change in this generation and future generations. We are in a unique position.

start of this admin, so there's lots of time to try to resolve a lot of issues.

with his foot resting on the ball. Seems the White House is full of footballs and basketballs these days.

I think Samantha Power has had some influence on him (and I hope is still in the background as an informal advisor).

in a way that no one has or could have done - militarily or diplomatically? I think this subtext is a significant one if I'm on the right track with this "unspoken" message I heard through our president's speech... Subtle and powerful - what could be more effective..?

Am I way off on this idea?

:thumbsup:

And if he exerts the power of US Aid and Military Supplies in order to "twist Israel's arm" into making some real concessions toward achieving peace... then that will go a long way toward marginalizing bin Laden, methinks.

If he were to do something really wacky like making it known that countries in the Middle East would receive yet more developmental aid money if their governments decide to officially recognize Israel (and presuming corruption in those countries doesn't divert aid monies)... that might go a long way toward pleasing Israelis and marginalizing bin Laden.
Well, everyone but the US citizens whose schools are being closed and teachers fired in the meantime.

In the meantime, I think that those who might be sympathetic to bin Laden are way too cynical of US speeches, even good ones, for a mere speech to marginalize him.

magnificent observation, sohndrsmith.

it's nice to know I'm not _ always _ a driveling idiot, just frequently so. I tend to ask questions a lot, and think out loud (or in text) a lot.
Unfortunately, I'm inartful (sp?) enough that, more often than not, I just get myself in trouble... : )

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/weekinreview/07nordland.html

Ignore the anonymous bloggers who live to tear down anything President Obama says or does. BTW, Prof. Gerges is also a CNN ME expert. He is on TV talking about the speech now. He calls our guy "a brilliant, visionary president". :fistbump:

so no, you're not wrong.

I do believe this guy could finally make the two state solution happen. I dearly hope so.

If anyone wants to ask her a question on Obama's speech, you might try to get in the queue now...

on LINK TV on DirectTV and Dish Network...

Thanks for the thread, babylonsister.

About damn time someone in the White House showed the guts.