1) Why is President Obama opposed to the Palestinian effort at the UN if he ultimately supports the creation of a Palestinian state?
2) What elements of his speech would Israel applaud?
3)What elements would the Palestinians applaud?
4) What do you think of his speech?
Now I know that for many in this hall, one issue stands as a test for these principles – and for American foreign policy: the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.
One year ago, I stood at this podium and called for an independent Palestine. I believed then – and I believe now – that the Palestinian people deserve a state of their own. But what I also said is that genuine peace can only be realized between Israelis and Palestinians themselves. One year later, despite extensive efforts by America and others, the parties have not bridged their differences. Faced with this stalemate, I put forward a new basis for negotiations in May. That basis is clear, and well known to all of us here. Israelis must know that any agreement provides assurances for their security. Palestinians deserve to know the territorial basis of their state.
I know that many are frustrated by the lack of progress. So am I. But the question isn’t the goal we seek – the question is how to reach it. And I am convinced that there is no short cut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades. Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the UN – if it were that easy, it would have been accomplished by now. Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians who must live side by side. Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians – not us – who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them: on borders and security; on refugees and Jerusalem.
Peace depends upon compromise among peoples who must live together long after our speeches are over, and our votes have been counted. That is the lesson of Northern Ireland, where ancient antagonists bridged their differences. That is the lesson of Sudan, where a negotiated settlement led to an independent state. And that is the path to a Palestinian state.
We seek a future where Palestinians live in a sovereign state of their own, with no limit to what they can achieve. There is no question that the Palestinians have seen that vision delayed for too long. And it is precisely because we believe so strongly in the aspirations of the Palestinian people that America has invested so much time and effort in the building of a Palestinian state, and the negotiations that can achieve one.
America’s commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable, and our friendship with Israel is deep and enduring. And so we believe that any lasting peace must acknowledge the very real security concerns that Israel faces every single day. Let’s be honest: Israel is surrounded by neighbors that have waged repeated wars against it. Israel’s citizens have been killed by rockets fired at their houses and suicide bombs on their buses. Israel’s children come of age knowing that throughout the region, other children are taught to hate them. Israel, a small country of less than eight million people, looks out at a world where leaders of much larger nations threaten to wipe it off of the map. The Jewish people carry the burden of centuries of exile, persecution, and the fresh memory of knowing that six million people were killed simply because of who they were.
These facts cannot be denied. The Jewish people have forged a successful state in their historic homeland. Israel deserves recognition. It deserves normal relations with its neighbors. And friends of the Palestinians do them no favors by ignoring this truth, just as friends of Israel must recognize the need to pursue a two state solution with a secure Israel next to an independent Palestine.
That truth – that each side has legitimate aspirations – is what makes peace so hard. And the deadlock will only be broken when each side learns to stand in each other’s shoes. That’s what we should be encouraging. This body – founded, as it was, out of the ashes of war and genocide; dedicated, as it is, to the dignity of every person – must recognize the reality that is lived by both the Palestinians and the Israelis. The measure of our actions must always be whether they advance the right of Israeli and Palestinian children to live in peace and security, with dignity and opportunity. We will only succeed in that effort if we can encourage the parties to sit down together, to listen to each other, and to understand each other’s hopes and fears. That is the project to which America is committed. And that is what the United Nations should be focused on in the weeks and months to come.
1) Why is President Obama opposed to the Palestinian effort at the UN if he ultimately supports the creation of a Palestinian state?
ReplyDeleteThere needs to be peace before there can be a Palestinian state.
2) What elements of his speech would Israel applaud?
President Obama emphasizes the fact that Israel and the Jewish people have been repeatedly attacked without good cause.
3)What elements would the Palestinians applaud?
President Obama says that he did, and still does support the creation of a Palestinian state. He emphasizes this for about half the speech.
4) What do you think of his speech?
I think that he basically said the same thing the whole time: he believes in a Palestinian state, but there needs to be peace as well, and only the Israelis and the Palestinians can make peace between themselves. No one can force it. He wants them to sit down and listen to each other and act accordingly.
I think that people have been trying to get that to happen for a very long time and that in order for it to happen, both sides need to really listen, and I don't think that is a realistic goal anytime in the near future.
1. He wants there to be peace between the Israelis and the palestinians before the palestinians have their own state.
ReplyDelete2. Obama praises the Israeli's for their successful state and how we've been through a lot of tragedies and deserve a good relation with their neighbors.
3. "We seek a future where Palestinians live in a sovereign state of their own, with no limit to what they can achieve. There is no question that the Palestinians have seen that vision delayed for too long. And it is precisely because we believe so strongly in the aspirations of the Palestinian people that America has invested so much time and effort in the building of a Palestinian state, and the negotiations that can achieve one."
4. He repeats himself a lot about how there can't be a palestinian state until the palestinians and the israeli's make peace with eachother and it is not going to be easy.
i think that it can be possible for the israeli's and the palestinians to have peace, but neither side is making the effort to bring peace. which is why the making of a palestinian state has been delayed for a long time. Both Israeli's and Palestinian's need to make an effort for there to be a palestinian state.
1) Why is President Obama opposed to the Palestinian effort at the UN if he ultimately supports the creation of a Palestinian state?
ReplyDeleteObama is opposed to the Palestinian effort creating their own state because Obama sees that peace is needed first to be settled between Israel and Palestine before a new state is created.
2) What elements of his speech would Israel applaud?
Obama speaks of how Israel was repeatedly attacked by its surrounding neighbors for no reason. They are constantly being threatened to be wiped off the map and are always in fear of being attacked. They do not deserve this, for they did nothing wrong to others to engage in a war. He also says how Israel needs recognition for this and deserves a better life with peace among their neighbors and recognition from the world.
3)What elements would the Palestinians applaud?
Obama states multiple times that Palestine deserves its own state, although peace needs to come first. He mentions the importance of them having their own state many times.
4) What do you think of his speech?
I thought his speech was well organized and thought out, not hurting each of the different sides opinions or feelings. He kept restating himself, wanting peace between the two so that they could settle things and be at a good state for having a new state of palestine. He then goes on how palestine needs their own state as well as recognition of Israel and the attacks on them. I think his speech was well done and shows how they both have things to work on, to improve, and discover before they will have their own state with peace.
Sarah Belz
ReplyDeleteSarah Belz
1) Why is President Obama opposed to the Palestinian effort at the UN if he ultimately supports the creation of a Palestinian state?
President Obama does indeed believe that there should be a Palestinian state. However, he believes that there must be peace between the Israeli's and the Palestine's before there can actually be a Palestinian state.
2) What elements of his speech would Israel applaud?
President Obama acknowledges the fact that the Israeli's and Jews in general have been through a lot throughout their history. In his speech he explains how 6 million Jews were killed simply for who they are. HE admits to the fact that the Israeli's do deserve to have neighbors who do not want to destroy them.
3)What elements would the Palestinians applaud?
A substantial amount of Obama's speech is him explaining that the Palestinian's do deserve a state of their own.
4) What do you think of his speech?
I have a liking for President Obama's speech. I enjoyed reading this because I admire how he spoke about the difficulties that both countries are facing. I do not believe in this speech that he was favoring one side or the other, however, I do believe that he stressed too much the importance of a Palestinian state. I do not understand why it is even necessary for the Palestinian's to take Israel away from the Jews. I do not understand why they cannot find their own land anywhere else. I personally do not think that the Palestinian's simply just want their own state. I think the Palestinian's want whatever they can't have which would be Israel in this specific case. They will do anything to take away whatever the Jews have, no matter how many lives they have to lose to do this.
1. There has to be peace between the Israelis and the palestinians before the palestinians have their own state.
ReplyDelete2.Obama praises the Israeli's for their success.
3.when Obama said the Palestinians deserve there own land.
4. i thought his speech was very good.but he mentioned a lot that the Palestine and Israeli's are going to have to make peace.
1) Though he supports the creation of a Palestinian state, President Barack Obama doesn’t believe that the UN should be involved in the process of achieving the state. According to Obama, this is an issue that the Israelis and Palestinians need to resolve on their own and only through a mutual understanding can the two groups attain peace.
ReplyDelete2) Obama assures the Israelis that any agreement insures their security (though I don’t know how he can promise that). Additionally, in his speech it is evident that he has a pretty clear grasp on the situation surrounding the Israelis. He understands that they are constantly under attack and in fear and notes that the Israelis deserve recognition.
3) The Palestinians would probably applaud most of the speech, seeing as how he is constantly remarking that he believes in an independent Palestinian state. He even says that the “vision has been delayed for too long” and that “America has invested so much time and effort in the building of a Palestinian state.” Frankly, if I were a Palestinian, I would be more than satisfied with this speech because it is basically saying that he is right behind us.
4) First off I would like to say that he probably delivered this speech very nicely; President Obama is a pretty good speaker. We observed his speaking techniques during debate and he is skilled in that area.
I shall now segue from talking about his speaking skills to talking about how this speech may have left people with a good impression of him. I have no doubt that his writers spent a lot of time writing this speech and that he even checked over it to make sure it was fine. However, when analyzing and drawing conclusions about a speech, it is important to look past the clichés and listen beyond his (false?) conviction to figure out exactly what he is saying.
So, what do I think he is saying? Not a lot, really. In fact, he probably could have said this all in one small paragraph. All he is saying is that he firmly believes that the Palestinians deserve their own state, but –and there is a big but- he’s not going to do anything about it. He has this idea- I mean dream, because it is very far-fetched- that Israel and Palestine need to settle their differences on their own, because that is the only way for there to be peace.
I have to admit that it is nice that he recognizes and acknowledges all that Israel is going through; it is the least they deserve. Thank goodness that Barack Obama has a paragraph to say about the fear for their lives Jews constantly live in. I understand that speeches are supposed to be fluffy, but there is hardly any juice in this speech. It is very anticlimactic. What we get from the speech is that we should “encourage the parties to sit down together, to listen to each other, and to understand each other’s hopes and fears”I’m sorry, but is this all happening before or after their sleepover during which they agree that maybe they should just share the land and take down both the masque and the kotel?
In conclusion, I would like to say that I expect a lot more from a leader. This isn’t dream journal time; this is the real world with real problems. It takes a great deal of chutzpah to be able to read something like this in front of the United Nations. He is a President of America, the leader of the free world, the for Goodness sake! Forget about the fact that he thinks the Palestinians deserve their own state (which I disagree with) - he is providing us with no probable solution. How is it that America, Israel’s most important ally- especially in the UN, could represent itself in such a way? I think this speech not only reflects badly on the President, but also on America itself. To say that other countries and people in our own country are not ridiculing this speech is naïve- because they are. So, Obama, next time you stand up in front of a large assembly, please make a speech that you are proud of. Your country thanks you.
1) Why is President Obama opposed to the Palestinian effort at the UN if he ultimately supports the creation of a Palestinian state?
ReplyDeleteObama believes that first peace needs to be made and only after can a Palestinian state be created. Without peace a new state will just cause extra problems between the Palestinians and Israel.
2) What elements of his speech would Israel applaud?
The elements of Obama’s speech that Israel would applaud would be his mention of the Holocaust and the fact that Israel has worked very hard to overcome many obstacles to get to where she is today. One other point Obama spoke about that Israel would applaud is his talk about how Israel has with-held many violent attacks and still has not fought back. The children grow up in fear, family members die, buses and buildings being bombed constantly. Israel remains strong throughout all this chaos.
3)What elements would the Palestinians applaud?
The Palestinians would applaud the fact that Obama states many times that the Palestinians need a state of their own. Obama doesn’t just mention this point, in fact he spends about half a speech talking about this.
4) What do you think of his speech?
I think this speech had many positive points, but on the other hand had some negative ones as well. Obama stated that: “Israel, a small country of less than eight million people, looks out at a world where leaders of much larger nations threaten to wipe it off of the map. The Jewish people carry the burden of centuries of exile, persecution, and the fresh memory of knowing that six million people were killed simply because of who they were.” – this made me a little angry because if all of this is well known and even Obama knows what we in addition to our state have endured than why is this still a debate? All Israel wants is to live in peace. The Palestinians have been keeping us living in fear that there will be another bomb, more people will be murdered, or some more land will be destroyed. This topic should no longer be a debate. The government/UN have been debating this long enough. Israel needs a decision now!
I do think Obama did a good job in making it clear that peace needs to be met and that in order for a decision to be met both sides needs to calmly come together to discuss. Overall, I enjoyed reading this speech. I though it was well though out and well put together. Although I found myself getting a bit angry at some parts, Obama surprised me with his positive efforts towards Israel.
1. President Barack Obama feels that the Palestinians deserve their own independent state. President Obama feels that before the Palestinians can achieve statehood, they must reach a peace agreement with the Israelis. Until the conflict is resolved, Obama cannot fully endorse a Palestinian state.
ReplyDelete2. The Israelis would applaud the fact that Obama recognizes the persecution and hardships that Israel has gone through, he sympathizes for us. In addition, he mentions that Israel is a close ally and a friend to the United States.
3. The Palestinians would applaud the fact that Obama recognizes the fact that Palestine deserves its own independent state, whether it be now or sometime in the future.
4. In my opinion, President Obama is too dual opinionated. While I understand that he is trying to make everybody happy by addressing each conflicting nations needs, I feel he needs to pick a nation to support and stand by them. It's certainly difficult for the President to stand by two states that hate each other.
1. He believes that Israel and the Palestinians need to "step into each other's shoes" and negotiate with each other for an agreement to be made. There also needs to be a peaceful solution to this issue, not one that puts Israel in a very dangerous spot.
ReplyDelete2. Israel would applaud the fact that Obama sees that agreeing to the current proposal for a Palestinian state would put them at risk, and also that Jews have been persecuted for centuries and this is no exception. Another point is that he makes a point to say that there is no denying the Holocaust and the horrors of it.
3. The Palestinians would applaud the fact that Obama repeatedly states that he supports them having a state of their own.
4. I think his speech was surprising in some ways but very typical of an American president in others. It was surprising to see how much he defended Israel in his speech, considering in the past that this has not always been the case. He seems to have a better grasp than some of the state of mind of the Palestinians, and that giving them what they want right now is not going to improve the situation at all. what seemed typical to me was that he does not appear to fully grasp the situations. it is very unlikely that negotiatios will help anything, as usual. It was nice to hear him acknowledge the trouble we have been through and how the world is out to get us. Other than that, this speech seems lacking. BAsically, it rings of wanting re-election. He is appealing to people whom he has previously dissapointed, and if he let this happen half the world would be against him.
1) Why is President Obama opposed to the Palestinian effort at the UN if he ultimately supports the creation of a Palestinian state? Obama says that the Jews and Palestinians should be living in different lands, therefore the Palestinians should have their own land. He states that the Palestinians and Israelis need to come up with a peace agreement.
ReplyDelete2) What elements of his speech would Israel applaud? The Israelis would applaud the part of Obama’s speech when he talks about the Jews have been through a lot and have been in persecution.
3)What elements would the Palestinians applaud? Obama included in his speech and spoke about the idea of the Palestinians having their own land and being an independent state.
4) What do you think of his speech?
My opinion about the speech is that Obama did talk about how great Israel is and tried to defend it. However it seemed to me that he spoke a lot about the idea of the Palestinians being an independent state. He delivered the speech very organized and really knew what he was talking about
1) He says that both Jews and Palestinians should be living in two different lands. They need to make a peace agreement and negotiate with each other.
ReplyDelete2) When he says that the Jews have been persecuted and that they have overcome many obstacles.
3)When he mentions the Palestinians having their own state.
4) I feel like he was just trying to make the Palestinians and the Israelis happy. He mentioned positive things about both of them and said they needed to make a peace agreement. I feel like he's trying to be on both sides when in reality he needs to obviously pick one of the two.