It was President Barack Obama’s maiden speech, one intended to seek a new era of global cooperation, but it was not without controversy.
Obama shrugged off the go-it-alone brand of diplomacy espoused by former President George W. Bush and called on world nations to join him in solving global crises. But his harsh demands on Israel touched off a furor.
“We continue to emphasize that America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israel settlements,” Obama said.
Jewish leaders moved quickly to condemn the president for again making the issue of the so-called natural growth of existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as the key roadblocks to peace in the troubled region.
“To make absolute statements, particularly when in the past Israel has sort of done everything the Palestinians asked and they still won’t give her peace is to me a counter productive policy,” Sen. Charles Schumer said.
It was clearly the president’s intent was to show the world a new America.
“Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world’s problems alone. Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility,” Obama said.
Just Tuesday, Obama orchestrated a symbolic handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in the hopes of restarting negotiations.
CBS News Foreign Affairs Analyst Pamela Falk said the President’s statement clearly shows his push for peace talks has gained no traction.
“What he got from the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of the Palestinian Authority was not a lot of movement. And so he was clearly frustrated, and what he did as a result in his speech was say, ‘Here’s where Israel is wrong, here’s where the Palestinians are wrong,'” Falk said.
“I am not naïve. I know this will be difficult, but all of us, not just the Israelis and the Palestinians, but all of us, must decide whether we are serious about peace or whether we will only lend it lip service,” Obama said.
Obama’s stark declaration, which drew applause, was coupled with a call for Palestinians to end their “incitement of Israel.”
But it was the use of the U.N. forum to carry the settlement message to Israel that drew the most enthusiastic response on the floor — and incredulous reaction outside its walls.
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18 Responses
Many warned us of Obama prior to the election.
You reap what you sow.
Avinu Malkeinu sesoim piyos mastineinu umekatrigeinu.
who cares what our muslim president says. hashem can take care of him in a blink.the truth is he is better than the rest of the world. he does not pretend to be even handed.
Jimmy Carter redux. He, too, will pass.
eileh b’rechev v’elileh basusim (or even the U.N.) v’anachnu bshem Hashem Elokeinu Nazkir
This is completely distorted. I heard him speak and he criticism for both sides. Purposely. What do you expect him to say? The Israelis can never do any wrong and the Arabs are evil? The world does not see things that way. And I think the Bible says something about this- hein am levodod yishkon?? At least we have a black president that is not completely anti-semitic. Let’s not give him reason to dislike us!
GMAB: You sound like you’ve finally come around on your former hero Obama. 🙂
Joseph: our president is just dealt with those zionists, he agrees with you! The zionists go after hareidi jewish mothers, surely they dont treat the arabs any better
Yes, obama IS a rasha, but remember he is only the stick in HaSh-m’s hand. Don’t waste time being upset with the stick, think about WHY HaSh-m is striking us with it!
“I’m not naïve” the annointed one proclaimed. As he has demonstrated for the last 9 months in office, he hasn’t got a clue of domestic or foreign affairs.And I don’t blame him as neither would any neophyte. And one more thing,if Charles Schumer is already disagreeing with Obama you know the game is about over for the prez. Schumer has never had a difference of opinion on anything with the “Omnipotent” until now.
Welcome to muslim nazi america.
The new world order!
#5:
Practically not one drop of Jewish blood was spilled on account of Egypt in nearly 30 years following that Begin/Sadat handshake. הלוואי that anything agreed to with the Palestinians should be that generous.
But I doubt it, Egypt (and Jordan too for that matter,) are official countries that have some inkling of law obedience following their respective peace treaties with Israel, מה שאין כן the Palestinians ימח שמם וזכרם are a bunch of חיות רעות (vilde chayos) and will do anything and everything in their power to destroy us חס ושלום if given the chance.
Al tikri Oh-ba-ma, e’lah Be-hay-mah
בשו”ע או”ח סימן רכ”ה סעיף ח’ נפסק להלכה
הרואה כושי אומר ברוך משנה הבריות
הראשי תיבות של “או”מר “ב”רוך “מ”שנה “ה”בריות מראה על מי מדובר
In my house we have started a minhag that al-pi-kaboloh can remove an enemy who is a leader. You use the song of your enemy for kedushah. We are singing Shir HaMa’alos to the tune of Hail To The Chief. In my early Mesivtah days the Lubavitcher Rebbe had his guys all do this to get rid of the French president (I think Pompidou) who was causing Eretz Yisroel a lot of trouble. He was gone very soon after they started. Anyone interested? A whole tzibur probably does much more than just one person.
“America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements.” Does this mean America denies the Torah?
Obama needs to be impeached for being unpresidential in his stance to our allies, especially Israel, his stance in reducing our military capabilities as an act of good faith, and his congeniality to the arab world which is the bedrock of terrorist organization, training, and from where all the planning of all terrorist acts originate.
We can only await Moshiach with more eagerness. No one on the scene, save Rudy Guiliani or Michael Savage can stop the world from sinking any further.
Jerusalem Post — Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu praised US President Barack Obama’s UN address Wednesday, which backed Israel’s right to live securely, stressed its legitimacy as a “Jewish state,” and urged the Palestinians to relaunch negotiations without preconditions. “The speech was “good and positive” for Israel and for moving the peace process forward, the prime minister told The Jerusalem Post.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1253627551178&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull