Bravo to Obama.

I would have thought this would be a news item on the open forum, but since that hasn't happened, here's a thread about the Obama visiting Israel topic.

So far, I think Obama's strong support of the tenets of Zionism is the biggest news of this visit. Israelis have not trusted Obama was behind them on that (starting with the famous Cairo speech) and now he has openly expressed his endorsement of this most important basis of Zionism, and the existence of the Jewish state for the Jewish people, itself.

His decision not to stop in Israel after that speech — he instead
visited the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany to highlight Jewish
suffering during the Holocaust — raised concerns among Israelis that
Obama did not understand their nation’s biblical roots or current
threats. Obama intends to address those lingering questions during this
trip, as he signaled during his tarmac greeting.

Obama began his greeting with a simple, “Shalom,” the common Hebrew salutation, which, literally translated, means “peace.”

“More
than 3,000 years ago, the Jewish people prayed here, tended the land
here, prayed to God here,” Obama said. “And after centuries of exile and
persecution, unparalleled in the history of man, the founding of the
Jewish State of Israel was a rebirth, a redemption unlike any in
history.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/obama-arrives-in-israel-for-three-day-visit/2013/03/20/a01774aa-914f-11e2-9abd-e4c5c9dc5e90_story.html

Also Obama will be visiting the Herzl tomb, another strong symbolic endorsement of Zionism, something which most international leaders avoid.

"Palestine is our unforgettable historic homeland..." Herzl

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodor_Herzl

The Palestinian response:

Also Obama will be visiting the Herzl tomb, another strong symbolic
endorsement of Zionism, something which most international leaders
avoid.

Kudos to Obama. I still don't trust him on Iran, but hopefully he has come to realize that they can not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons under any circumstances.

Obama's White House seems to think giving everything back will resolve the dispute. Barack isn't exactly being greeted with open arms by either side.

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WHITE HOUSE MAP 'ERASES' JERUSALEM, BIBLICAL TERRITORIES

Sources say Obama already has pledged to discuss land for peace

by AARON KLEIN

TEL AVIV – The White House has released what it says is a map of Israel. The only problem is that Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the Golan Heights are missing.

An Obama administration video highlighting the president’s plans for his Mideast trip depicts Jerusalem, the Golan and the West Bank – also known as Judea and Samaria – as non-Israeli territory.

The Washington Free Beacon, which first reported the discrepancies, noted the video shows the Golan Heights as part of Syria; Jerusalem is depicted as part of the West Bank; and northern Israel is shown as part of Lebanon.

WND reported in August 2012 when the White House refused to name the capital of Israel – not once, but twice – as the two most senior White House correspondents cornered Obama’s press secretary, doggedly questioning him on whether the Obama administration considered Jerusalem or Tel Aviv to be the capital of the Jewish state.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/03/white-house-map-of-israel-erases-jerusalem-biblical-territories/#bQGVGrOqh8rMicYE.99

...and in Bethlehem...

Bethlehem rioters set fire to pictures of Obama

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH03/18/2013 18:17

Scores of protesters gathered near Manger Square and threw shoes at a US diplomatic vehicle as it arrived at the scene as part of preparations for Obama’s visit to the city later this week.

The protesters also set fire to signs posted in the city earlier this week reminding Obama that Palestinians still don’t have 3G communications technology.

Similar anti-Obama demonstrations are expected to take place in Ramallah and other Palestinian cities in the coming days.

http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Bethlehem-rioters-set-fire-to-pictures-of-Obama-306831

Not everybody is as enamored with Obama's visit as Obama is.

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JERUSALEM POST EDITOR: 'WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT HE'S DOING HERE'

by LARRY O'CONNOR 20 Mar 2013, 10:04 AM PDT

Caroline Glick, Senior Contributing Editor of the Jerusalem Post said the Israeli people consider President Obama "a hostile president overall," on "Mornings on the Mall" on WMAL-FM in Washington DC.

Appearing with Brian Wilson and myself Wednesday morning, Glick said the Israeli people "can't figure out what he's doing here," when asked about the mood in Jerusalem as the President's plane touched down for the first time in his presidency.

"Essentially his goal is to empower the un-electable, incredibly radical left in Israel to put pressure on the Israeli government for whatever concessions he wants it to make to the PLO," said Glick in evaluating the reasons why Obama will be meeting with university students and members of the Palestinian Government during his visit.

When asked about how the installment of Chuck Hagel as the Secretary of Defense was received by the Israeli people, Glick said, "It's a hostile act."

Listen to the entire interview here: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2013/03/20/Jerusalem-Post-Editor--We-Dont-Know-What-Hes-Doing-Here

Here is a more balanced description of the Israeli reaction to Obama's visit. Objectively Obama has been a fantastic friend towards Israel, but there have been some (mutual) trust issues that developed that are not that easy to fully heal. Obama at least is trying and many Israelis definitely appreciate the effort:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israelis-lukewarm-on-obama/2013/03/20/060103a2-9183-11e2-bdea-e32ad90da239_story.html

The tepid support for Obama comes at a time of heightened U.S. security
cooperation with Israel, which former Israeli defense minister Ehud
Barak called the best of any U.S. administration in recent memory. That
cooperation was highlighted upon Obama’s arrival, when he was taken to
view Israel’s vaunted Iron Dome missile defense system, developed with
U.S. funding.

Obama has a 10% approval rating in Israel - Evidently you see things differently if it is you who is facing an existential threat day in day out. Incidentally he is not going to Temple Mount due to Palestinian protests, and has barred students from Ariel university in the West bank from attending his speech. To cap it all an Obama administration video shows a map of Israel with parts missing that are not disputed by anyone, except Jihadists of course.

http://www.wnd.com/2013/03/hussein-in-jerusalem/

Well, you know, you can't even fart in the Middle East without enraging some people. Obama went to repair some of the emotional damage to the relationship and I believe he is succeeding in this mission. Of course there is a lot more to do that is very important with very uncertain results: stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons / dealing with the settlements issue / reviving the only hope for a future of peace -- a TWO state solution.

One wonders if there is a message about Obama - Israeli relations in this popular music video from Israeli actress and ironic pop star Meital Dohan (featuring an Obama impersonator):

And Obama's bullet-proof car breaks down when someone fills it with diesel, rather than petrol (or was it the other way round?).

Get him to his Islamic friends quickly, or he'll make more idiocies.

Many of us could echo what Obama said in his speech.... but that's just a speech made by a visiting head of state. Not a moment for home truths.

To return the Jews to the Promised Land (which they originally secured by divinely-inspired genocide, according to the Book of Joshua; I was shocked when I reread it recently), after they lost it by a series of political and/or religious blunders, was a romantic ideal. Being a bit of a romantic myself, I can so easily sympathise with the Jewish people restored to their ancient homeland. And I admire them so much for making the desert bloom.

But is it viable? Sadly (and I mean that) I don't think it is. The US is not going to pour funds in for ever (funds which its own people need so badly). The surrounding Arab/Islamic states are not going to be weak for ever (and if financial muscle counts, they're not weak now). Iran may be ruled by a clique of unrealistic theologians, but nobody will dare strike it first.... or all the bazaars of the East will rise against the aggressor, and we'll have WWIII.

No, in the long run, Zionism is an unrealistic dream.

Go ahead and think Zionism is a dream. The Jewish people know it is real.

If you will it, it is no dream.

Theodor Herzl, Father of Zionism

Many of us could echo what Obama said in his speech.... but that's just a speech made by a visiting head of state. Not a moment for home truths.

To return the Jews to the Promised Land (which they originally secured by divinely-inspired genocide, according to the Book of Joshua; I was shocked when I reread it recently), after they lost it by a series of political and/or religious blunders, was a romantic ideal. Being a bit of a romantic myself, I can so easily sympathise with the Jewish people restored to their ancient homeland. And I admire them so much for making the desert bloom.

But is it viable? Sadly (and I mean that) I don't think it is. The US is not going to pour funds in for ever (funds which its own people need so badly). The surrounding Arab/Islamic states are not going to be weak for ever (and if financial muscle counts, they're not weak now). Iran may be ruled by a clique of unrealistic theologians, but nobody will dare strike it first.... or all the bazaars of the East will rise against the aggressor, and we'll have WWIII.

No, in the long run, Zionism is an unrealistic dream.

At present you are right in that the Arabs have financial muscle, furthermore the West is bankrupt, which means in order to avoid the day of financial reckoning their governments have been to varying degrees bought by the money of totalitarian regimes. Israel is the talisman of the free world though, imho if Israel goes the world will cease to be free.

P.S Before you write Israel's obituary look at the oil reserves they have, which should hopefully provide them with a great bargaining chip in securing allies, until of course the time comes when the petroleum age comes to an end.

Iran may get the bomb and if they do, a number of other middle eastern countries will get the bomb. That would of course increase the chance of a globally destructive nuclear war very much. It really is important to stop Iran. However, if Iran can't be stopped, and I'm not really optimistic that they can be stopped, it doesn't mean they will attack Israel the next minute because that would mean the end of Iran as well.

Iran may get the bomb and if they do, a number of other middle eastern countries will get the bomb. That would of course increase the chance of a globally destructive nuclear war very much. It really is important to stop Iran. However, if Iran can't be stopped, and I'm not really optimistic that they can be stopped, it doesn't mean they will attack Israel the next minute because that would mean the end of Iran as well.

I think you're right so far... but if several ME countries get the bomb, the chances of one lunatic setting off a nuclear war are quite high.

I sincerely hope Israel does survive, but one people's dream may not be enough to overcome the hostility of others.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember, JT, that you posted, a few months ago, that Israel would finally be overwhelmed by population growth in the surrounding Arab states.

Iran may get the bomb and if they do, a number of other middle eastern countries will get the bomb. That would of course increase the chance of a globally destructive nuclear war very much. It really is important to stop Iran. However, if Iran can't be stopped, and I'm not really optimistic that they can be stopped, it doesn't mean they will attack Israel the next minute because that would mean the end of Iran as well.

I think you're right so far... but if several ME countries get the bomb, the chances of one lunatic setting off a nuclear war are quite high.

I sincerely hope Israel does survive, but one people's dream may not be enough to overcome the hostility of others.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember, JT, that you posted, a few months ago, that Israel would finally be overwhelmed by population growth in the surrounding Arab states.

I think without a two state solution, Israel as a Jewish state is probably doomed, and many Palestinians are against a two state solution for that very reason, because they don't want peace, they want victory. However, the odds have been against the Jews so many times before, I still wouldn't bet against the future of Israel. In my view, the founding of Israel was not a mistake, but it has been very difficult, and will continue to be very difficult.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember, JT, that you posted, a few months ago, that Israel would finally be overwhelmed by population growth in the surrounding Arab states.

Not just the surrounding states, IB.

The Arab citizens in Israel are breeding far faster than the avarage Israeli. The religious right (shorthand - Hassidim) of Jewry are breeding just as fast, but that is a minority. The demographics point to an Arab majority within the next fifty years in many parts of Israel, thus the possibility of an Arab-led government.

http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/comment/63837/a-demographic-time-bomb-jewish-state-cannot-afford-ignore

Already, Arabs account for more than a quarter of all Israelis younger than 25. Crucially, all the large sources of potential Jewish immigration have now been exhausted – and Israel has been attracting a growing number of residents such as East Asian guest workers who are neither Jewish nor Arab. Although long-term fertility predictions are notoriously unreliable, the proportion of Jews in Israel's current borders and in the West Bank settlements is unlikely to be much more than two-thirds by the end of the next decade.

That will be very interesting.

Yes. Very interesting indeed. The majority of Jews in the world live outside Israel and the vast majority feel the continued existence of Israel is vital. The demographic thing gives an opportunity for a smaller Jewish Israel but the problem is the security concerns and its hard to imagine how that can be solved.

Imagine how different Jewish history would be, indeed the history of the world, if Judaism was a religion actively interested in CONVERTING people.

In hindsight, I'll bet the Tibetans are wishing they'd coughed up more in the way of campaign contributions to US politicians.

In hindsight, I'll bet the Tibetans are wishing they'd coughed up more in the way of campaign contributions to US politicians.

Well, that's funny, but the reality is there is no strong bond between Tibetans and Americans that would compare to the bond of Jews and America.

Surprise! Surprise! (Not really to me.)

Many Israelis LOVE Obama's message of leadership on the middle east issues.

Speaking to centrist students, basically IDF veterans, he was applauded ENTHUSIASTICALLY.

That's the brilliance of this trip for Obama. The expectations were almost nothing. So much room to do so much more. Maybe he has done that.

Yes hope springs eternal, but what else is there when considering this conflict?

Yes this is an opinion piece from a progressive Israel newspaper, but a very important one, read by the Israeli elite:

http://www.haaretz.com/news/obama-visits-israel/obama-s-speech-what-young-israelis-not-only-needed-but-wanted-to-hear

They roared approval for Obama's view of security, which was
hard-edged and unapologetic, and they roared approval for his vision of a
two-state solution that allows Palestinians to enjoy the freedoms and
self-determination Israelis know.
This will not be the same country after this speech.

Not
soon. Perhaps not in many years. But this is one way that change
happens. An event like this, inspiration like this, does not in the end
go to waste. It gives new strength to the world-weary and the habitually
trashed. It changes momentum. It creates momentum. It does good. It
makes way for better.

Not
for nothing did Barack Obama cite Martin Luther King's address on the
eve of his assassination. The image of the Promised Land as a place
Moses will not be able to reach, but one which his work will allow his
people to eventually enter, clearly resonates with a president beginning
already to see the end of his time in office.

This is not the same country after this speech.

It seems as if Obama has backed off on some of his silly, far-left positions on Israel. He might finally be learning something about the real world.

It seems as if Obama has backed off on some of his silly, far-left positions on Israel. He might finally be learning something about the real world.

If Obama has backed off anything it is due to his own personal political expediency and has nothing to do with his core beliefs.

The guy is a chameleon in a Brooks Brothers suit and will say anything he thinks his audience wants to hear.

He cannot be trusted

Obama's speech to the Israeli students:

http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c3#/video/international/2013/03/21/obama-speech-to-students.cnn

Obama seems to do well with those in the 20-25 age bracket. It's the adults in Israel and Palestine he is having problems with.

Barack Obama in Israel: media's sceptical tribute to president's charm offensive

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/9945452/Barack-Obama-in-Israel-medias-sceptical-tribute-to-presidents-charm-offensive.html

'Most Palestinians hate Obama'; US president gets heated reception in West Bank

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/9946857/Most-Palestinians-hate-Obama-US-president-gets-heated-reception-in-West-Bank.html

Obviously the OP does not understand surrender-monkey Obama's actual agenda.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9946665/Impassioned-Barack-Obamas-direct-appeal-to-Israeli-citizens-for-peace.html

This two-faced politician weeps for the poor Palestinians, saying 'How would you like your life to be controlled by foreign troops' while still keeping American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for many years after their 'mission' had been accomplished, yet criticises the Israelis for keeping troops on their own borders to control the ingress of suicide bombers and the smuggling of military materiel to hostile rocketeers.

At least he's trying. He's right, the best hope for peace for Israel is a viable Palestinian state. Most Israelis believe that too.

Obama MAY have achieved something rather major on the Iran issue. Now Netanyahu is talking the exact same timeline on theories about Iran's timeline to weaponize nukes. Basically endorsing Obama's efforts at a peaceful negotiation and showing a UNIFIED face of shared timelines. To balance that, President Peres made a public statement saying that Obama is for peace with Iran, but he is totally convinced if Iran crosses a line towards definite nuclear weaponization, he is convinced America WILL attack Iran. Got that? AMERICA will attack.

Bravo! Wishes for peace but the threats of war need to be real and credible.

Interestingly, Obama speaking at the Shoah museum made a point of referencing the HOMOSEXUAL victims of the holocaust as well. I am guessing that is the first time an American president has done that at that place. Again, BRAVO, Obama.

At least he's trying. He's right, the best hope for peace for Israel is a viable Palestinian state. Most Israelis believe that too.

Yes, but first someone has to come up with a viable partition plan. So far there are only two plans, the UN proposal in 1947 (?), and the status quo. Neither is viable.

At least he's trying. He's right, the best hope for peace for Israel is a viable Palestinian state. Most Israelis believe that too.

Yes, but first someone has to come up with a viable partition plan. So far there are only two plans, the UN proposal in 1947 (?), and the status quo. Neither is viable.

There are plenty of viable border ideas but the problem is getting both sides to agree, and Israel being more powerful and having a better negotiating hand has got to be convinced their security is protected.

A more pessimistic and certainly possible or even probable scenario is that a negotiated peace is just no longer really possible. There is too much water and blood under the bridge. In that case, Israel could continue as a Jewish state but they would have to get even more hard core right wing to keep that going. That would be very unfortunate. This may not be PC but from my point of view, that very sad scenario is still better than NO Israel. I understand probably most non-Jews disagree (and indeed many Jews as well) but that's not really up to non-Jews, is it? The majority global Jewish POV which I share, is that we are not giving up the Jewish state voluntarily EVER. We may lose it in war of course.

Obama MAY have achieved something rather major on the Iran issue. Now Netanyahu is talking the exact same timeline on theories about Iran's timeline to weaponize nukes. Basically endorsing Obama's efforts at a peaceful negotiation and showing a UNIFIED face of shared timelines. To balance that, President Peres made a public statement saying that Obama is for peace with Iran, but he is totally convinced if Iran crosses a line towards definite nuclear weaponization, he is convinced America WILL attack Iran. Got that? AMERICA will attack.

Bravo! Wishes for peace but the threats of war need to be real and credible.

Interestingly, Obama speaking at the Shoah museum made a point of referencing the HOMOSEXUAL victims of the holocaust as well. I am guessing that is the first time an American president has done that at that place. Again, BRAVO, Obama.

I think you may be premature in assuming an agreement has been reached that the U.S and Israel will both honor. According to the following article Iran has been given three months grace until after their elections on Jun 24th

http://www.debka.com/article/22847/Obama-Netanyahu-grant-Iran-another-three-months%E2%80%99-grace

If you believe this then what do you think Iran will do? I put the chances of them backing down at less than 10%, in which case I suspect Obama will again move the goalposts, time will tell.