Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., September 21, 2009 Tishrei 3, 5770 | | Israel Time: 05:53 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Strenger than Fiction Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Magazine Week's End Anglo File
Share |
Last update - 00:00 05/06/2009
U.S. Jews split over Obama's Israel remarks in Cairo speech
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz U.S. Correspondent
Tags: Israel News, Jewish World 

Leaders of Jewish organizations in the United States were divided Thursday in their reactions to comments that President Barack Obama made on Israel in an address to the Muslim world in Cairo.

Join the debate on Obama's speech on the Haaretz.com Facebook group

Dovish pro-peace lobby J Street applauded the address, in which Obama reaffirmed U.S. commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called on Israel to halt settlement building.
Advertisement

"The President was clear. Palestinians must renounce violence and accept Israel's existence, Israel must stop settlement activity and end the humiliation of the Palestinian people that comes with their occupation, and the broader Arab world must step up to a more constructive role as well," said Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street Executive Director, in a statement.

Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu is at odds with Obama on the issues of West Bank settlement construction and Palestinian statehood; he has said construction would continue in existing settlements has not publicly endorsed a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The National Jewish Democratic Council, meanwhile, praised Obama's commitment to Israel's security in the speech.

"The President made very clear to the Arab world that he was going to continue to prioritize Israel's peace and security, and that the U.S. and Israel have an 'unbreakable' bond,'" said Ira Forman, head of the group.

But the address drew fire from across the aisle, with the Republican Jewish Coalition criticizing the U.S. leader for placing Israel and the Arab world on an equal footing.

"President Barack Obama, in his major speech in Cairo this morning, struck a balanced tone with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and that's what was wrong with this speech," said Director Matthew Brooks, Republican Jewish Coalition Executive.

"American policy should not be balanced - it should side with those who fight terror, not those who either engage in it or are too weak to prevent it."

The Israel Project, an organization that seeks to educate the media on Israel, both welcomed the address and expressed concern over some of Obama's remarks.

"President Obama's speech was historic in its bold outreach to Muslims and in its dramatic move for peace. There is a lot in the speech for Americans and Muslims to celebrate," said Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, the group's founder and president.

She added: "While we knew Israelis would feel pressured about implementing a two-state solution and stopping settlements, I am very concerned about President Obama's comments that Iran has a right to nuclear materials for energy given the dangerous fact that some of those materials could get into the hands of terrorists including Iran?s proxies, Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad."


Related articles:
  • WATCH: In Cairo, Obama vows to personally pursue two-state solution
  • Israel praises Obama speech, but says its security paramount
  • ANALYSIS / Obama put Arabs and Israel on an equal footing
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    U.S-Israel drill
    Arabic-language paper reports upcoming joint exercise simulating Iran strike on Israel
    D'oh in the Holy Land
    The Simpsons travel to Israel, only to encounter a crabby Israeli - Sacha Baron Cohen
      1.   Repubicans opposed to Obama - Shocker!! 02:45  |  binny 05/06/09
      2.   OMG!!!! Balance? 02:47  |  Ben 05/06/09
      3.   Lobbyists Split, Not Publics 03:16  |  Shaul Ben-Yimini 05/06/09
      4.   American Jews should back their President 100% 14:08  |  Steven Grumman 05/06/09
      5.   Mathew Brooks is Discredited as are all Republicans 15:09  |  John Q. Public 05/06/09
      6.   #4..."should not stay in America" 18:33  |  J 05/06/09
      7.   Something for everyone 18:40  |  jj 05/06/09
      8.   Actions speak louder than words 18:47  |  Martin from Switzerl 05/06/09
      9.   Time for a Lasting Peace 19:20  |  Vladek 05/06/09
      10.   The Split is 80/20 22:01  |  David 05/06/09
      11.   J # 6 you are of course correct! 22:44  |  American in NY 05/06/09
      12.   Nothing about the 1 million Jewish refugees from Arab lands 00:52  |  semsem 06/06/09
      13.   Sem Sem, You Are Absolutely Correct. Normalization... 05:04  |  Reader 06/06/09
      14.   Sem Sem, You Are Absolutely Correct. Normalization... 05:09  |  Reader 06/06/09
      15.   Mistaken Reporting: Jews Back Obama 07:35  |  Ed 06/06/09
      16.   Don`t alienate American Jewry 07:47  |  Geo 06/06/09
      17.   Obama`s horrible speech 07:12  |  Laurel Hoffman 07/06/09
      18.   #17 I dont think so! 15:26  |  david 07/06/09
      19.   Shame on Binny! 20:55  |  John 11/06/09
      20.   The best outcome for both Israel and the U.S. 03:46  |  Bob 21/09/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Date Local Jewish Singles
    Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Holidays are here
    Minerals Aromatics Body Lotion for free! Click here.
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Amazing Jewelry
    Visit SoKoBe.com for the best priced fine jewelry in the world
    More Headlines
    00:50 Israel, U.S.: Summit won't result in renewal of talks
    02:25 ANALYSIS / Tripartite summit or PR for Obama?
    03:57 Akiva Eldar / A summit can be a very dangerous thing
    05:16 Netanyahu complains: Sweden is trying to contact Hamas
    14:21 Report: IDF, U.S. military to simulate Iran missile strike on Israel
    00:03 Russian President: Peres told me Israel won't attack Iran
    04:22 Microsoft co-founder and his 92-meter yacht on secret visit to Israel
    02:05 TV ROUND-UP: Obama to host Netanyahu and Abbas, Israel kills 2 Gaza gunmen
    04:51 Probe leans toward likelihood Asaf Ramon blacked out
    05:42 Chabad houses in India full for new year despite terror alert
    21:34 Sacha Baron Cohen to guide the Simpsons around Israel
    23:45 Shots fired at businessman Eli Reifman's car, with him inside
    03:29 Airlines pessimistic about post-holiday period
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved