June 5, 2009

Middle East News: World Press Roundup

President Obama's historic speech from Cairo yesterday elicits varied responses (1) (2) (3) (4) (9) (11) (13). Tensions surrounding efforts to secure an Israeli settlement freeze continue (5) (12) (18). After meeting in Dresden, President Obama and German Chancellor Merkel vow to "redouble" their efforts towards Mideast peace (6). The UN team investigating alleged war crimes during the Gaza war announces that it will hold public hearings with victims later this month (7).

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Addressing Muslims, Obama Pushes Mideast Peace

In opening a bold overture to the Islamic world on Thursday, President Obama confronted frictions between Muslims and the West, but he reserved some of his bluntest words for Israel, as he expressed sympathy for the Palestinians and what he called the “daily humiliations, large and small, that come with occupation.”

Varying Responses to Speech in Mideast Highlight Divisions

On one level, President Obama’s speech succeeded in reaching out to Muslims across the Middle East, winning widespread praise for his respectful approach, his quotations from the Koran and his forthright references to highly fraught political conflicts.

Using New Language, President Shows Understanding for Both Sides in Middle East

There was no mention of "terrorists" or "terrorism," just "violent extremists." There was the suggestion that Israeli settlements are illegitimate and the assertion that the Palestinians "have suffered in pursuit of a homeland." There were frequent references to the "Holy Koran" and echoes of Muslim phrases.

Muslims in U.S.: Speech hit 'right notes'

President Obama's call for Arabs, Israelis and Americans to abandon their suspicions and work together for a more secure future was welcomed more enthusiastically by Muslims on this side of the world than by Jews who expressed concerns about his support for the Palestinian cause.

"He hit the right notes with the right tone," said Ziad Asali, president of the American Task Force on Palestine. "He gave the big picture in a speech that takes the high moral ground. It takes courage to say the things that are not exactly what your audience wants to hear."

Analysts See Growing US-Israeli Rift Over Settlements Issue

U.S. President Barack Obama is calling on Israel to stop construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. In a speech at Cairo University, Mr. Obama says the building of settlements is undermining efforts to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Mr. Obama's latest remarks highlight a growing rift between Israel and the United States.

President Obama used unusually blunt language in calling on the Israeli government to stop expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Obama and Merkel vow peace push

One day after making a keynote speech in Cairo, Mr Obama said his government would seek a resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

"The moment is now, to act on what both sides know to be truth," he said.

Mr Obama is visiting the Nazi concentration camp in Buchenwald and afterwards a US Army hospital.

His visit to Buchenwald has a personal significance. His maternal great-uncle, Charles Payne, had been one of the US servicemen present at the liberation of Ohrdruf, a satellite camp of Buchenwald.

UN hearings to be held on Gaza war crimes

A UN team investigating possible war crimes in Gaza says it will hold public hearings with victims of the conflict in Gaza and Geneva later this month.

The team has spent the week interviewing witnesses and visiting sites damaged in Israel's three-week offensive, which ended on 18 January.

Richard Goldstone, who is heading the team, said it had hoped to hold hearings in Israel and the West Bank.

But Israel has refused to co-operate in the inquiry, accusing it of bias.

Eliminating the US “Scapegoat”

Obama’s historical visit to the Middle East that he started in Saudi Arabia yesterday is of concern to all extremists, even those who are supposed to be staunch enemies – in theory at least. Israeli Minister of Transportation, Katz, who is close to Netanyahu, hastened to criticize the US endeavor to “win the hearts” of Iran and Al Qaeda and publicly criticize the Israeli settlement policy.

Obama must match his words with actions

The United States is aiming to take a "new way forward" in its relationship with the Muslim world. Of this there is no question. Its President Barack Obama succeeded in delivering a message of respect to Muslims across the world through his historic speech in Cairo yesterday. His familiarity with Islam and his ability to quote comfortably from the Quran (he did it four times) is bound to resonate in this part of the world.

‘Preparing to put pressure on’

While Palestinians expressed cautious optimism yesterday towards the reaffirmed commitment of Barack Obama to Palestinian statehood and his rejection of Jewish settlement expansion, Israel’s new Right-wing government reacted coolly to the US president’s pledge.

Obama’s speech - warm and honest

President Barack Obama spoke to Arabs and Muslims from his own experiences and from his heart. Without conceding much but being honest with his audience, he clearly won over the hearts and minds of many people that have so far rejected America.

By speaking honestly, even on issues that are not pleasing to hear, he succeeded in erasing the biggest blemish on all US administrations, hypocrisy when it comes to the Middle East conflict. By speaking of the need to recognise the right of Israel to exist, he highlighted the similar need to recognise the rights of a Palestinian state to exist.

Netanyahu now faces fight with either Obama or his coalition

During long, personal conversations with his inner circle over the past week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that he had no idea what U.S. President Barack Obama would say in his speech in Cairo. "We have no information," he said. He does now.

Obama emerged in Cairo as a true friend of Israel

Neither Tel Aviv nor Ramallah held their breaths Thursday as the American president gave a speech in Cairo; the traffic in both crowded cities continued normally. Tel Aviv was indifferent, Ramallah sunk in desperation: Both cities have already had their fill of nice, historic speeches.

Israel considered two-state solution just after Six-Day War

On December 5, 1967, then-chief of staff Lt. Gen. Yitzhak Rabin suggested to prime minister Levi Eshkol that a Palestinian state be established in the West Bank. The minutes of that conversation are kept today in the state archives. Rabin had in mind a state "that would be connected to Israel."

Obama sees 'great opportunity' in Mideast

Following his historic speech in Cairo Thursday, US President Barack Obama submitted to a special interview with seven journalists, including Yedioth Ahronoth correspondent Nahum Barnea, saying he sees a great opportunity to advance Mideastern peace.

Noting that Israel is an economic power, the president said Israel could achieve greater prosperity though trade with Gulf States, while the Palestinians would enjoy the investments of Palestinian expatriates.

Yesha Council: Obama 'more Hussein than Barack'

"Only time will tell if the US president is Barack or Hussein," Yesha Council Director-General Pinchas Wallerstein said Thursday in response to Obama's historic speech in Cairo, in which called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims."

Some Israeli, U.S. officials move to keep the volume down

Stop the shouting, we're trying to get something done over here -- that's the message from some U.S. and Israeli officials after weeks of reports about widening divergences over the settlements.

The first example came Tuesday in the form of an e-mail from a senior White House official to the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the umbrella body for public policy groups.

US official: Settlement deal possible

Washington feels "an arrangement that works" can be hammered out with Israel on the settlement issue, a senior administration official told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday, indicating the US recognizes some wiggle room in defining a "settlement freeze."

"There's a professional, constructive dialogue on this issue," the official said, shortly after US President Barack Obama delivered his speech in Cairo. "We have differences, but believe we can find an arrangement that works."

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