World Service - World Have Your Say homepage On air at 1100GMT: Is Obama's speech a turning point fo
|
Friday, 5 May 2011
|12:00 - 12:30 GMT
"Let's get started on a conversation about territory, and about security". President Obama's words from a speech directed at Israelis and Palestinians where he's endorsing a Palestinian state based on the pre 1967 borders, but with some "mutually agreed swaps"
President 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."
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu immediately rejected his comments saying those borders, which existed before the 1967 Middle East war, were "indefensible".
Here is a map to explain the borders issue.
It will make for an interesting meeting today, as President Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu hold talks at the White House later.
The leading - if undeclared - Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney has criticised the speech saying,
"President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus. He has disrespected Israel and undermined its ability to negotiate peace. He has also violated a first principle of American foreign policy, which is to stand firm by our friends."
What does Obama's stand achieve? Asks the BBC's North America Editor Mark Mardell
The BBC's diplomtic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says
"Israel has one list of settlement blocs that it wants to retain; the Palestinians not surprisingly, have a more limited list of the settlements that they are prepared to see incorporated into Israel in return for territory elsewhere."
In September the UN will vote on whether to recognise Palestine according to its 1967 borders. It's thought this speech is the start of a push by the US to get support for the vote.
According to this article
"September is expected to be pivotal for several reasons. Last September, U.S. President Barack Obama told the General Assembly that he wished to see a Palestinian state become a member of the UN within a year."
This article says it turning point in the relationship between Israel and the US.
We'll be speaking to a group of Israelis about their reaction to Obama's speech
Your comments
Comment sent via BLOG
12:27
113631290
<p>
Pancha<br />
<br />
The Middle East is a quagmire. America needs to show that it is not biased. Right now there is a tilt towards Israel and the Arab nations feel excluded. Not a perfect recipe for peace and harmony. President Obama needs to show more passion!</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
12:21
113631290
<p>
Gilbert in South Africa</p>
<p>
<br />
President Obama was clear, its high time Mr Netanyahu come to terms with reality... We know that he wants to protect his legacy, he does not want to take the blame when it goes wrong in future. But he's got to grab this opportunity to prove democratic principles.</p>
Comment sent via Feed
12:18
113631290
<p>
YousefMunayyer tweets <br />
<br />
Netanyahu's concept of 'defensible borders' are Palestinians surrounded by Israeli troops.<br />
</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
12:18
113631290
<p>
Lion in Israel writes on Facebook</p>
<p>
<br />
Truth is the most recommended medicine for brain damage. Both Palestine and Israel are sick in the head. Obama just prescribed the best medicine they need to get well. However, you can lead a horse to the water, but you cannot force it to drink.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
12:17
113631290
<p>
Daramola in Nigeria<br />
<br />
It's high time the US started taking a blunt position concerning Israel on the border crisis. This does not to jeopardize the US-Israeli relationships.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
12:11
113631290
<p>
Haans in Ohio<br />
<br />
Obama's speech, while offering encouraging gestures, will have no effect on the Israeli position, as the country has too much power and influence in the US congress, for a change in policy by the executive branch to make any difference.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
12:11
113631290
<p>
Blaise in Virginia<br />
<br />
This speech is a reset of US Middle East foreign policy and I think it is a step in the right direction. It is time America step back from its special relationship with Israel. Let's hope that a redefinition of US-Israeli relationship will force Israel to act.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
12:08
113631290
<p>
Toshul in Mauritius<br />
<br />
Today's meeting will definitely be a turning point. Yesterday's speech gave a hand to the Islamic countries, telling the people that the USA is not the enemy, but a benefactor and that extremism and terrorism are the enemies</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
12:07
113631290
<p>
Glendon in Jamaica<br />
<br />
I don't believe that it is going to be a turning point, the status quo will remain. Its going to be the same old, same old, nothing new. Just another failed visit.</p>
World Service - World Have Your Say homepage On air at 1100GMT: Is Obama's speech a turning point fo
| Friday, 5 May 2011 | 12:00 - 12:30 GMT
"Let's get started on a conversation about territory, and about security". President Obama's words from a speech directed at Israelis and Palestinians where he's endorsing a Palestinian state based on the pre 1967 borders, but with some "mutually agreed swaps"
President 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."
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu immediately rejected his comments saying those borders, which existed before the 1967 Middle East war, were "indefensible".
Here is a map to explain the borders issue.
It will make for an interesting meeting today, as President Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu hold talks at the White House later.
The leading - if undeclared - Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney has criticised the speech saying,
"President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus. He has disrespected Israel and undermined its ability to negotiate peace. He has also violated a first principle of American foreign policy, which is to stand firm by our friends."
What does Obama's stand achieve? Asks the BBC's North America Editor Mark Mardell
The BBC's diplomtic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says
"Israel has one list of settlement blocs that it wants to retain; the Palestinians not surprisingly, have a more limited list of the settlements that they are prepared to see incorporated into Israel in return for territory elsewhere."
In September the UN will vote on whether to recognise Palestine according to its 1967 borders. It's thought this speech is the start of a push by the US to get support for the vote.
According to this article
"September is expected to be pivotal for several reasons. Last September, U.S. President Barack Obama told the General Assembly that he wished to see a Palestinian state become a member of the UN within a year."
This article says it turning point in the relationship between Israel and the US.
We'll be speaking to a group of Israelis about their reaction to Obama's speech
Your comments
Comment sent via BLOG
<p> Pancha<br /> <br /> The Middle East is a quagmire. America needs to show that it is not biased. Right now there is a tilt towards Israel and the Arab nations feel excluded. Not a perfect recipe for peace and harmony. President Obama needs to show more passion!</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Gilbert in South Africa</p> <p> <br /> President Obama was clear, its high time Mr Netanyahu come to terms with reality... We know that he wants to protect his legacy, he does not want to take the blame when it goes wrong in future. But he's got to grab this opportunity to prove democratic principles.</p>
Comment sent via Feed
<p> YousefMunayyer tweets <br /> <br /> Netanyahu's concept of 'defensible borders' are Palestinians surrounded by Israeli troops.<br /> </p>
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Lion in Israel writes on Facebook</p> <p> <br /> Truth is the most recommended medicine for brain damage. Both Palestine and Israel are sick in the head. Obama just prescribed the best medicine they need to get well. However, you can lead a horse to the water, but you cannot force it to drink.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Daramola in Nigeria<br /> <br /> It's high time the US started taking a blunt position concerning Israel on the border crisis. This does not to jeopardize the US-Israeli relationships.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Haans in Ohio<br /> <br /> Obama's speech, while offering encouraging gestures, will have no effect on the Israeli position, as the country has too much power and influence in the US congress, for a change in policy by the executive branch to make any difference.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Blaise in Virginia<br /> <br /> This speech is a reset of US Middle East foreign policy and I think it is a step in the right direction. It is time America step back from its special relationship with Israel. Let's hope that a redefinition of US-Israeli relationship will force Israel to act.</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Toshul in Mauritius<br /> <br /> Today's meeting will definitely be a turning point. Yesterday's speech gave a hand to the Islamic countries, telling the people that the USA is not the enemy, but a benefactor and that extremism and terrorism are the enemies</p>
Comment sent via Facebook
<p> Glendon in Jamaica<br /> <br /> I don't believe that it is going to be a turning point, the status quo will remain. Its going to be the same old, same old, nothing new. Just another failed visit.</p>