In Rosh Hashanah greeting, Obama calls for `lasting peace`
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell to meet again on Fri.
By Yossi Melman and Barak Ravid Tags: George Mitchell Jewish holidays Barack Obama Israel newsIn a Rosh Hashanah greeting to Jews the world over, U.S. President Barack Obama called for the rejection of "the impulse to harden ourselves to others' suffering," urging empathy and "compassion to those in need."
The first African-American president also called for resistance to "prejudice, intolerance and indifference" and for a strong stance against what he described as "the scourge of anti-Semitism, which is still prevalent in far too many corners of our world."
Obama also expressed the desire to "work to achieve lasting peace and security for the state of Israel, so that the Jewish state is fully accepted by its neighbors, and its children can live their dreams free from fear."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell will meet Friday in order to determine whether a tripartite meeting with Obama and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, will take place next week at the United Nations General Assembly. The hope is that the three-way meeting will serve as a catalyst for restarting the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Senior U.S. officials told Haaretz Thursday that Friday's meeting will resolve all differences in order to open the door for holding talks in New York.
The Palestinians are refusing to meet with Netanyahu unless he declares a comprehensive freeze on settlement activity, including in East Jerusalem.
Mitchell also met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah II of Jordan during his current visit to the region, and asked them to exert pressure on Abbas to soften his stance so that a meeting can take place at the UN. Mitchell also asked the two Arab leaders to rally the Arab world in undertaking goodwill gestures toward Israel.
Experts at the International Atomic Energy Agency acknowledge, in a secret report obtained by The Associated Press, that Tehran is capable of making a nuclear weapon and that it is developing a missile system that can deliver a nuclear warhead.
The document affirms what Israel, the United States and other western countries have maintained for some time regarding the real purpose of Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran has touted as having peaceful purposes.
According to the document, which Washington says is being withheld by the IAEA's outgoing chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, Iran has "sufficient information" to build a bomb. It also says Iran is likely to "overcome problems" on developing a delivery system - which means Tehran will be able to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile capable of striking western targets.
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Obama is the great pretender. He speaks good wishes to Israel at Rosh Hashanah, but tells Netanyahu, NO natural growth, i.e. children for West Bank. Obama is no friend of Israel, or of the USA for that matter.
....is currently not in the very best economi- cal situation. So any phone call that is not deemed as absolu- tely necessary will of course be saved. Those are tough times, and the president has to serve as a good example for his people.....
Now why would that be?
The IAEA "has no concrete proof that there is or has been a nuclear weapon program in Iran." That is a fact. Then they can speculate to their hearts content "if, then maybe". Then Barak Ravid makes this conclusion:"The document affirms what Israel, the United States and other western countries have maintained for some time regarding the real purpose of Iran's nuclear program"...NO IT DOESN'T.
Obama is not doing Israelis any favor by being spineless. THe US remains the only INternational obstacle to peace by continuing to fund and shield Israel from International law. In the long run this only helps fuel conflict and resentment and Israel will continue to get weaker. Already the limits of military might was seen in Lebanon and Gaza "offensives". Wake-up and make peace before it is too late.
they have long agreed to accept israel on 78 percent of mandated palestine. that 78 percent at one time, not that long ago, approximately 61 years was a palestine arab majority. from arafat in 1988 onwards, all they are asking is for a viable, contigious, and free state on 22 percent of mandated palestine. sure israel argues security. how do you expect security when it is blatant all you do is steal more land even israeli government has agreed that israel is taking land from private palestinian owners in the west bank. no society, whatsoever accepts being caged in like animals. i know the jews in the camps and ghettos didn't as they fought heroically. you cannot expect the palestinians to roll over and play dead neither. enough's enough, otherwise the palestinians should demand a single state with equal rights for all.
The islamic president in his diplomatic language(outright lies and falsehoods)calls for a lasting peace. It cannot e attained with his biased underhanded prejudice.
1.In Rosh Hashana, Obama calls for lasting peace in The Middle East. 2.Other leaders, past and present, called for the same thing and have tried so many other: initiatives, dialogues, recipes, formulas, diplomatic moves, etc. All failed. Why? 3.Because as foretold, popes, presidents, kings, prime ministers, prophets and preachers do not have the right food for the cynical, lost, hungry, weary and exasperated multitude. 4.The foretold Moshiachs Meal provider is not a famous superstar leader but a small, poor but well-trained shepherd boy mahdi with the following advise: The Key to ME Peace is this: Give Jesus Christ a FAIR RETRIAL. E.g., Is JC the son of God and The King of the Jews? 5.The small boy will be INRI?s attorney. 6.This year 5770 in Jerusalem? 7.Rosh Hashana.
I am not a fan of Bibi, nor do I admire his resort to double talk and duplicity. But neither do I agree with Mitchell's attempt to force a unilateral concession from Israel. Where are the pre negotiation demands being made on the Palestinians? I don't support Israel's creeping and overt annexation, but the ongoing hatred preached by Fatah in it's schools is offensive and laying the groundwork for the continuance of the conflict for another generation. Both sides should be encouraged to go to negotiations and discuss their differences, and not just Israel pressured to concede. I admire Bibi's stubborness, but not his tactics. Mitchell and Obama are being used by Abbas and have lost their status as neutral mediators. Too bad.
Another Soundbite for Obama. His inaction is the biggest obstacle to peace in the Middle East. Reclining and Schmoozing with Israel's enemies has only brought the situation to crisis proportions.
Happy Rosh Hashanah for all the Jewish friends!!!
for perpetual war. Peace is kept between the strong. The blatant attempt to weaken Israel and stoke the flames of antisemitism cannot be papered over by some trite words. Obama's actions speak louder that his words, and his actions do not support Israel or Jewish people in any equitable way!
A happy and sweet new year. Shana Tova to my friends and relatives in Israel. May you and your children be blessed with everlasting peace in the promised land of milk and honey which you love so much. May our leaders be blessed with wisdom to bring peace for you.
Obama calls for Jewish apeacement. Jews have experience as to what that means.