Arabs seething over Obama visit to Israel
Arabs see the visit as a reversal of Obama’s initial attitude upon beginning his first term in 2009 and his famous outreach to the Muslim world, symbolized by his speech in Cairo that same year. Arabs held out hope that the president would rebalance American foreign policy, long seen as slanted and detrimental to the Palestinian position.
The Obama visit to Israel has so far been filled with effusive rhetoric, small talk in English between the president and Israeli leaders and other acts of closeness between the two countries, leading to a reaffirmation of the Arab world’s perception of US policy as being biased toward Israel.
The editorial in Thursday’s London daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi stated that Obama did not come with a plan to solve the conflict and that in any case the peace process is dead.
“The peace process led by the United States over the past twenty years died,” the piece declared, going on to say that he came “to refute accusations that he is against Israel” and that the focus of the visit would be the Iran and Syria issues.
Jerusalem-based Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds stated in its editorial on Thursday that it is not yet known what Obama will say to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, but “the sounds and images of the visiting president certainly removed all doubt.”
The article went on to mention that Obama’s words gave into Israel’s narrative and positions, and in particular, his statements regarding Iran effectively gave a green light for an Israeli attack. But the piece added that it was not such a disappointment for the Palestinians because nothing was expected from the visit in any case.Read the whole thing.
As far as the 'peace process' goes, it's supposed to be based on compromise. Can someone name me one - just one - concession that the 'Palestinians' have made in the last 20 years? (And don't tell me that they recognized Israel's 'right to exist' because it's not a concession for them to recognize a fact and in any event, the 'Palestinians' have revoked that recognition many, many times).
You will notice also that there are no comments from the Saudis or any of the Sunni Gulf states. That's because they all recognize that Israel destroying Iran's nuclear threat is to their benefit.
Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Iranian nuclear threat, Middle East peace process, Palestinians, two-state solution
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:58 AM
3 Comments:
Carl, while the average American may be pro-Israel, they do not know the nuance and vibrancy of Israel. By going to Israel, America saw first hand the economic, cultural vibrancy of Israel... not to mention the intense pro-American soul of Israel. This is one strong positive of Obama's trip, but the other is the arab reaction/flag burning ect... Americans can see with their own eyes who loves America. Mondoweiss and the Israeli haters are sitting shiva. The trip was a dagger at the BDS movement. To me, it just looked like Obama wanted to see Israel again. Also, the "date" with Miss Israel also is a very strong message to America as well. Can you imagine a Miss Egypt? Please.
To say nothing of the grumbling fury of the BBC and the Guardian which barely covered it at all.
It's Friday, and the Arabs are seething. Business as usual.
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