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Last update - 10:05 04/06/2009
WATCH: In Cairo, Obama vows to personally pursue two-state solution
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel News, Barack Obama 

U.S. President Barack Obama reaffirmed Washington's strong backing for a Palestinian state, using his long-anticipated Cairo address to the Muslim world highlight his administration's and his own personal commitment to follow through on a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

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While reaffirming Washington's "unbreakable bond" with Israel, Obama said that there can be no denying of the right of Palestine to exist, and that he would "personally pursue" the realization of a Palestinian state "with all the patience that the task requires."
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"Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's," Obama said.

The president also issued a blunt repudiation of Israel's settlement enterprise in the West Bank, an issue that has strained Washington's ties with Jerusalem.

"The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements," Obama said. "This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop."

"The obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear," Obama said, referring to the multi-stage peace plan agreed to by Israel and the Palestinians during the Bush presidency. "For peace to come, it is time for them - and all of us - to live up to our responsibilities."

"If we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth," Obama said. "The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security."

"That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest," the president said.

In addressing the Iranian nuclear program, Obama acknowledged longstanding Muslim accusations of Washington's double standard in objecting to Tehran's drive for nuclear weapons while tolerating Israel's alleged possession of atomic bombs.

The president reiterated his desire to see a world free of nuclear weapons.

"I understand those who protest that some countries have [nuclear] weapons that others do not," Obama said. "No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons."

Obama conceded that Iran has rights to nuclear energy "if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

Obama said his government will close the gap between public pronouncements and difficult truths that are often acknowledged behind closed doors in the halls of power throughout the Middle East.

"America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs," Obama said.

Obama urged Muslims around the world to acknowledge Jewish suffering and to repudiate Holocaust denial. The Arab and Muslim world ought to reconcile with the existence of Israel, the president said.

"Threatening Israel with destruction - or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews - is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve," Obama said.

The president also noted the plight of the Palestinians, who "have suffered in pursuit of a homeland" and who "endure daily humiliations ... that come with occupation."

"Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead," Obama said. "So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own."

The president urged the Palestinians to draw upon the example of African slaves in the United States, arguing that a "peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America's founding" had led to their gaining civil rights.

"Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed," Obama said. "For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights."

Obama said the Palestinians "must focus on what they can build." He urged Hamas to accept the Quartet's preconditions for international recognition - recognition of past signed agreements with Israel, recognition of Israel's right to exist, and a renunciation of violence.

"I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect," Obama said.

Obama offered the Arabic greeting of assalaamu alaykum, or "peace be unto you", in the early part of his speech. He also quoted a passage from the Koran and cited his father's Muslim background in a bid to highlight his sensitivity to Islamic grievances against the West.

"America is not and never will be at war with Islam," Obama said. "We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security."

"The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars," Obama said. "Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims."

"Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President," Obama said. "But my personal story is not so unique."

Obama is delivering his long-anticipated speech seeking to turn a new page in Washington's relations with the Arab and Muslim world.

Obama arrived in Egypt hours before giving long-promised speech in Cairo, the ancient seat of Islamic learning and culture.

The U.S. president is hoping to usher in a new era in the United States'
relationship with the world's 1.5 billion Muslims. Aides say Obama will blend hopeful words about mutual understanding with blunt talk about the need for Muslims to embrace democracy, women's rights and economic opportunity.

Obama met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a key American ally, at his palace in the capital.

"We discussed how to move forward in a constructive way to bring peace and prosperity to people in the region," Obama told reporters after talks with Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt since 1981 and kept a tight lid on opposition.

"I emphasized to him that the U.S. is committed to working in partnership with countries in the region so all people can meet their aspirations," he said before heading to a mosque in a quarter of Cairo that is full of Islamic architectural gems.

The mosque is a 600-year-old center of Islamic worship and study called the Sultan Hassan mosque. Obama will then tour the Great Pyramids of Giza on the capital's outskirts.

Obama arrived in Egypt from Saudi Arabia, where he stayed overnight at King Abdullah's horse farm in the desert outside Riyadh.

In his Cairo address Thursday, Obama called on Israel and the Arab states to change their approach to the Middle East peace process.

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      1.   we all hope that obama`s speech will bring peace 10:45  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 04/06/09
      2.   I agree, Cipora, but only by pushing Israel back over `67 line! 12:06  |  Ivar 04/06/09
      3.   It will start with the illegal settlements 12:38  |  Matty Groves 04/06/09
      4.   Groveling again, Groves? 13:09  |  yona 04/06/09
      5.   Response to Matty 13:15  |  Nachum Ben Daniel 04/06/09
      6.   #3 won`t happen 13:21  |  Doron 04/06/09
      7.   Five minutes into the speech 13:24  |  Shimon Cleopas 04/06/09
      8.   Only by liquidating of the illegal "state" of Estonia 13:35  |  Absolute Sweden 04/06/09
      9.   We`ll see! 13:47  |  Yosi 04/06/09
      10.   Why isn`t Obama speaking to the Pals-this speaks volumes 13:57  |  world observer 04/06/09
      11.   The Man Knows How to Give a Speech 14:24  |  Jane 04/06/09
      12.   Two states, perhaps, depending on the nature of each. If Jews are 14:28  |  Uri 04/06/09
      13.   God bless this man 14:29  |  DavidSanders 04/06/09
      14.   ok `world observer` 14:31  |  gabriel 04/06/09
      15.   an end to the occupation that started 1967 14:31  |  Singer 04/06/09
      16.   Obama dreams of 250,000 new Jewish refugees 14:33  |  Ronnbo 04/06/09
      17.   To 2,Ivar = No Way! Stop fantazy! 14:34  |  Vital 04/06/09
      18.   unto this was he (Obama) born. 14:34  |  Dina 04/06/09
      19.   Absolute Sweden 14:39  |  Mike from Boston 04/06/09
      20.   A US alliances with muslims 14:40  |  David D 04/06/09
      21.   2 state solution 14:42  |  William Dean 04/06/09
      22.   This is why I voted for him! 14:45  |  Dave Wall 04/06/09
      23.   "Resistance through violence and killing is wrong 14:48  |  RW 04/06/09
      24.   speech 14:48  |  oz 04/06/09
      25.   to yona #4 14:48  |  juge 04/06/09
      26.   Netanyahu 14:49  |  Iain 04/06/09
      27.   Obama`s interests vs. Israel`s interests 14:51  |  Zev 04/06/09
      28.   Land for Peace 14:53  |  Melech 04/06/09
      29.   i should be optimistic, but will we see peace in our lifetime? 14:54  |  tax payer 04/06/09
      30.   Yona and Uri; Israelis should be allowed to live in Palestine 14:54  |  Stephen L 04/06/09
      31.   Justice will prevail 15:36  |  Salman Bangash 04/06/09
      32.   Obama, thank you so much 15:36  |  J 04/06/09
      33.   Mike from Boston on Absolute Sweden 15:38  |  Yaakov Sullivan 04/06/09
      34.   #20 David D "Why I voted for Obama" 15:45  |  John Allen 04/06/09
      35.   He speaks clearly, but will Israel listen? 15:51  |  Murray 04/06/09
      36.   Dear Cipora #1... 15:51  |  Esther 04/06/09
      37.   The Beginning Of An End To Violence 16:07  |  Cool B 04/06/09
      38.   So Where`s The Border, Obama? 16:10  |  Jeff Northridge 04/06/09
      39.   clever 16:10  |  ehud 04/06/09
      40.   Two States - Both with equal right to exist. 16:15  |  Alastair 04/06/09
      41.   Wiliam Dean #21 Just a quick response:MOST OF US DO LISTEN,AND 16:15  |  KATHY 04/06/09
      42.   Obama, see www.faithfreedom.org before jumping 16:20  |  Ali Sinnah 04/06/09
      43.   #3 Matty Groves 16:20  |  John Allen 04/06/09
      44.   Obama is good for Israel 16:26  |  Shlomo from Tel-Aviv 04/06/09
      45.   obama settlements 16:28  |  Jan 04/06/09
      46.   Obama Speech 16:33  |  Nili 04/06/09
      47.   where does he come from 17:11  |  oz 04/06/09
      48.   to Ehud.....Mr.Obama is an HONEST and REALISTIC LEADER!! 17:12  |  Tony Silver 04/06/09
      49.   #46 Obama speech-Nili 17:18  |  Samar 04/06/09
      50.   to Zev #27 - 2nd try 18:11  |  zeev 04/06/09
      51.   Obama-See www.thereligionofpeace.com 18:12  |  Brod 04/06/09
      52.   Since Obama declared before the world: 18:15  |  Esther 04/06/09
      53.   to Nili #46 - 2nd try 18:15  |  zeev 04/06/09
      54.   Great speach!!! Could not have said it better myself! 18:18  |  Neville Chamberlain 04/06/09
      55.   Obama should go for peace for peace, and then 18:24  |  Ted Hopkins 04/06/09
      56.   Nothing is Personal when You are the President 18:26  |  Max Stevanos 04/06/09
      57.   Obama will be a 1 term lame duck Presidency 18:29  |  Shepherd 04/06/09
      58.   Peace 18:31  |  Brendan 04/06/09
      59.   #.38.Jeff Northridge. Its the Rio Grande. 18:41  |  Stephen. 04/06/09
      60.   Response to #6, Doron 18:42  |  Fouda 04/06/09
      61.   Hello Ali Sinnah@42 ..Do we have to visit the site? 18:45  |  Whiskey/Bravo 04/06/09
      62.   Isn`t being a Jew strange? 19:07  |  H 04/06/09
      63.   Neville Chamberlain 19:30  |  Mike Halpern 04/06/09
      64.   WB Arabs face only 2 real options (a) Hamas rule (b) Jordan rule 19:59  |  G Marcus 04/06/09
      65.   Pres Obama is indeed very creative and gifted 20:46  |  17 04/06/09
      66.   Message to Israel in speech 20:56  |  Harold 04/06/09
      67.   zev# 27 Americas interests vs Israel*s interests 20:57  |  American in NY 04/06/09
      68.   The Zio-Nazis Will Never Let It Happen 21:24  |  D Christie 04/06/09
      69.   G Marcus and His Zionist Pipe Dream 21:28  |  Yaakov Sullivan 04/06/09
      70.   Jeff Northridge on Borders of Palestine 21:35  |  Yaakov Sullivan 04/06/09
      71.   For my friend Cipora # 1 21:53  |  Fortuna Benmayor 04/06/09
      72.   Obama an absolute "windfall" for Israel..... 21:59  |  Swiss (Dino) 04/06/09
      73.   For Neville Chamberlain # 54 22:01  |  Peace in our Times 04/06/09
      74.   WHERE WAS MUBARAK? 02:23  |  Marco 05/06/09
      75.   rearguard action 02:54  |  Truth 05/06/09
      76.   Obama missed the point on Israel 03:01  |  Observer 05/06/09
      77.   It all depends on what Obama will do next, not what ne said 03:56  |  BIG 05/06/09
      78.   to CJ Kohn #1 - 6th try 14:48  |  zeev 05/06/09
      79.   to world observer #10 - 2nd try 06:19  |  zeev 08/06/09
      80.   to Observer #76, some questions (10th try) 09:25  |  zeev 14/06/09
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