/PRNewswire/ -- Former presidential candidate Gary Bauer on Friday in an exclusive analysis piece at Politico said that the "two-state solution" so popular with the media when covering Middle East peace talks is "not a synonym for peace."
As direct peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians began this week, Bauer detailed some of the problems that make forcing a two-state solution a mistake for those caught up in the violence of present day Middle East conflicts.
Bauer, the president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families, noted: "As a strong supporter of Israel and its right to exist in peace and security as a Jewish state, I have sometimes been criticized for my skepticism about a two-state solution. But invoking the two-state mantra is not a panacea for what ails the Middle East. Two-state advocates differ wildly about what form each state would take. More fundamentally, there is voluminous evidence that many Palestinians, including groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, desire not two states but the destruction of Israel.
Late in the piece, Bauer wrote, "I cannot accept a two state solution until I know what those states would look like, where they would be located, and until I'm sure that the ultimate result would not be the destruction of Israel as an independent Jewish state. The creation of two states may well be part of the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But we do all parties involved a disservice by pretending that it is a synonym for peace."
Showing posts with label israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label israel. Show all posts
Friday, September 3, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
AJC Welcomes Secretary of State Clinton Announcement of New Direct Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks
/PRNewswire/ -- AJC (American Jewish Committee) welcomed today's announcement by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton that direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks will resume in early September.
Clinton said the U.S. believes "the direct talks to resolve all final-status issues" can be completed in one year. "These talks should take place without preconditions," she said.
"This is encouraging news and instills a ray of hope for advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Secretary Clinton and Special Envoy George Mitchell have done a yeoman's job in achieving this breakthrough, securing agreement from the Palestinians to return to direct talks with Israel, which provide the likeliest path for moving the process forward."
Clinton announced that President Obama has invited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Palestinian President Abbas, Egyptian President Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah to a dinner on September 1. The following day, Clinton will meet with Netanyahu and Abbas at the State Department to officially announce the resumption of direct peace negotiations.
Clinton said the U.S. believes "the direct talks to resolve all final-status issues" can be completed in one year. "These talks should take place without preconditions," she said.
"This is encouraging news and instills a ray of hope for advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Secretary Clinton and Special Envoy George Mitchell have done a yeoman's job in achieving this breakthrough, securing agreement from the Palestinians to return to direct talks with Israel, which provide the likeliest path for moving the process forward."
Clinton announced that President Obama has invited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Palestinian President Abbas, Egyptian President Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah to a dinner on September 1. The following day, Clinton will meet with Netanyahu and Abbas at the State Department to officially announce the resumption of direct peace negotiations.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Obama, United Nations, Israel News Round Up
Bolton: Obama Speech Puts Israel on 'Chopping Block'
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said President Barack Obama's address to the U.N. was "unprecedented" and "unpresidential" as he sought to distance himself from the previous administration.
In an interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly immediately following Obama’s speech, Kelly cited Obama's statement that Iran and North Korea must be "held accountable" and “the world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise and that treaties will be enforced. We must insist that the future does not belong to fear."
Kelly asked: "Does that advance the ball?"
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/bolton_obama_israel_un/2009/09/23/263709.html?s=al&promo_code=8A39-1
Obama Criticizes Israel In First U.N. Speech
Sen. Schumer Takes Issue, Calls President's New Policy "Counter Productive"; Jewish Groups Mobilize
It was President Barack Obama's maiden speech, one intended to seek a new era of global cooperation, but it was not without controversy. Obama shrugged off the go-it-alone brand of diplomacy espoused by former President George W. Bush and called on world nations to join him in solving global crises. But his harsh demands on Israel touched off a furor. "We continue to emphasize that America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israel settlements," Obama said.
http://wcbstv.com/local/obama.united.nations.2.1203733.html
Cantor: Obama not ‘true friend’ of Israel
September 23, 2009
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The only Jewish Republican in Congress said President Obama does not seem to be a "true friend" of Israel.
In an interview with Politico, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said he was opposed to Obama's "disproportionate focus" on a settlement freeze instead of dealing with the "existential threat" to Israel from Iran.
http://jta.org/news/article/2009/09/23/1008083/cantor-obama-doesnt-seem-to-be-true-friend-of-israel
Obama calls to 'End the Occupation'
(IsraelNN.com) United States President Barack Obama issued a stinging condemnation of the Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria on Wednesday in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly. The U.S. “does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements,” Obama announced.
Using unusually harsh terminology, Obama called to "end the occupation that began in 1967" - referring to Israel's control of Judea and Samaria.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/133564
Israel's left, right both mock Obama-Netanyahu-Abbas summit as farce
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's critics on the left and right criticized his tripartite summit on Tuesday in New York with U.S. President Barack Obama and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/6765930.html
Israel satisfied despite lacklustre Obama meeting
Israel plays down Mideast breakthrough hopes at Obama summit
Former Ambassador: Obama Clipping Israel's Wings
Follow Israel news on and . (IsraelNN.com) Yoram Ettinger, the former Minister for Congressional Affairs to Israel's Embassy in Washington, charged Tuesday that U.S. President Barack Obama is holding the Netanyahu-Abbas-Obama summit in order to continue “clipping the wings of the State of Israel.”
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Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said President Barack Obama's address to the U.N. was "unprecedented" and "unpresidential" as he sought to distance himself from the previous administration.
In an interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly immediately following Obama’s speech, Kelly cited Obama's statement that Iran and North Korea must be "held accountable" and “the world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise and that treaties will be enforced. We must insist that the future does not belong to fear."
Kelly asked: "Does that advance the ball?"
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/bolton_obama_israel_un/2009/09/23/263709.html?s=al&promo_code=8A39-1
Obama Criticizes Israel In First U.N. Speech
Sen. Schumer Takes Issue, Calls President's New Policy "Counter Productive"; Jewish Groups Mobilize
It was President Barack Obama's maiden speech, one intended to seek a new era of global cooperation, but it was not without controversy. Obama shrugged off the go-it-alone brand of diplomacy espoused by former President George W. Bush and called on world nations to join him in solving global crises. But his harsh demands on Israel touched off a furor. "We continue to emphasize that America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israel settlements," Obama said.
http://wcbstv.com/local/obama.united.nations.2.1203733.html
Cantor: Obama not ‘true friend’ of Israel
September 23, 2009
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The only Jewish Republican in Congress said President Obama does not seem to be a "true friend" of Israel.
In an interview with Politico, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said he was opposed to Obama's "disproportionate focus" on a settlement freeze instead of dealing with the "existential threat" to Israel from Iran.
http://jta.org/news/article/2009/09/23/1008083/cantor-obama-doesnt-seem-to-be-true-friend-of-israel
Obama calls to 'End the Occupation'
(IsraelNN.com) United States President Barack Obama issued a stinging condemnation of the Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria on Wednesday in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly. The U.S. “does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements,” Obama announced.
Using unusually harsh terminology, Obama called to "end the occupation that began in 1967" - referring to Israel's control of Judea and Samaria.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/133564
Israel's left, right both mock Obama-Netanyahu-Abbas summit as farce
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's critics on the left and right criticized his tripartite summit on Tuesday in New York with U.S. President Barack Obama and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/6765930.html
Israel satisfied despite lacklustre Obama meeting
Israel plays down Mideast breakthrough hopes at Obama summit
Former Ambassador: Obama Clipping Israel's Wings
Follow Israel news on and . (IsraelNN.com) Yoram Ettinger, the former Minister for Congressional Affairs to Israel's Embassy in Washington, charged Tuesday that U.S. President Barack Obama is holding the Netanyahu-Abbas-Obama summit in order to continue “clipping the wings of the State of Israel.”
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Thursday, June 4, 2009
AJC Applauds Obama Cairo Speech
/PRNewswire / -- American Jewish Committee (AJC) warmly welcomed President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo today, which aimed at forging a new understanding between the United States and the Muslim world.
While addressing a range of issues, President Obama underlined that the rejection of anti-Semitism and the legitimacy of Israel were not negotiable.
"In the heart of a region where denial is routine -- denial of Israel's right to exist, denial of the historic link of Jews to their homeland, denial of the Holocaust -- President Obama spoke the truth with a clear, unwavering voice," said David Harris, AJC Executive Director.
Obama told his audience: "Six million Jews were killed -- more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant and hateful. 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."
Harris applauded Obama for reaffirming that America's "strong bonds" with Israel are "unbreakable," and for urging Arab states to "recognize Israel's legitimacy."
AJC praised President Obama for stating his personal commitment to pursue "with all the patience the task requires" a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Toward that end, President Obama made clear that "violence is a dead end," as he called again on Hamas to "put an end to violence, recognize past agreements and recognize Israel's right to exist."
Harris praised Obama's focus on Iran's confrontation with the international community over its nuclear weapons drive -- a confrontation the President said has reached "a decisive point."
AJC is disappointed, however, that the President was not more explicit about the danger Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons poses to the entire Middle East and to global security.
"Iran's theocratic regime is a world leader in supporting terrorism, threatening moderate Arab regimes and orchestrating the chorus of extremists who deny Israel's right to exist," said Harris. "The U.S. has an obligation to more vigorously lead the international community in stopping the Iranian nuclear program."
President Obama also noted the democracy, human rights and gender equality deficits in the Muslim world, urging greater protection of religious freedom and respect for democratic values. Harris urged the President to press forward with these causes, saying, "The Middle East will only flourish when people of all faiths live in free societies that respect their dignity and unleash their creative potential. The pursuit of peace will be impeded as long as the region's one true democracy, Israel, is surrounded by dictatorships and theocracies."
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While addressing a range of issues, President Obama underlined that the rejection of anti-Semitism and the legitimacy of Israel were not negotiable.
"In the heart of a region where denial is routine -- denial of Israel's right to exist, denial of the historic link of Jews to their homeland, denial of the Holocaust -- President Obama spoke the truth with a clear, unwavering voice," said David Harris, AJC Executive Director.
Obama told his audience: "Six million Jews were killed -- more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant and hateful. 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."
Harris applauded Obama for reaffirming that America's "strong bonds" with Israel are "unbreakable," and for urging Arab states to "recognize Israel's legitimacy."
AJC praised President Obama for stating his personal commitment to pursue "with all the patience the task requires" a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Toward that end, President Obama made clear that "violence is a dead end," as he called again on Hamas to "put an end to violence, recognize past agreements and recognize Israel's right to exist."
Harris praised Obama's focus on Iran's confrontation with the international community over its nuclear weapons drive -- a confrontation the President said has reached "a decisive point."
AJC is disappointed, however, that the President was not more explicit about the danger Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons poses to the entire Middle East and to global security.
"Iran's theocratic regime is a world leader in supporting terrorism, threatening moderate Arab regimes and orchestrating the chorus of extremists who deny Israel's right to exist," said Harris. "The U.S. has an obligation to more vigorously lead the international community in stopping the Iranian nuclear program."
President Obama also noted the democracy, human rights and gender equality deficits in the Muslim world, urging greater protection of religious freedom and respect for democratic values. Harris urged the President to press forward with these causes, saying, "The Middle East will only flourish when people of all faiths live in free societies that respect their dignity and unleash their creative potential. The pursuit of peace will be impeded as long as the region's one true democracy, Israel, is surrounded by dictatorships and theocracies."
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www.politicalpotluck.com
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Monday, April 27, 2009
World Jewish Congress: Durban Review Conference a Failed Endeavor; Brings No Redress to Victims of Human Rights Abuses
/PRNewswire / -- The World Jewish Congress expressed deep disappointment that the adoption of the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference in Geneva last week again singles out Israel for blame. With the approval of this document comes the reaffirmation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA) of the Durban Conference of 2001, replete with the classification of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as racism-based, calling the Palestinians victims of racism and discrimination. Israel was the only country singled out in the DDPA which has now once again been codified in the latest UN conference on racism.
"We can only wonder why the officials and members of the UN Human Rights Council and the delegates to this conference continue to uselessly expend so much energy focusing on only one country and one conflict when so many genuine human rights abuses, in all regions of the world, clamor for attention while their victims go unheeded," said Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress. "The world cannot say today that it does not know about the oppression of women, the executions of children, the persecution of journalists, and religious discrimination - these abuses are exposed for all to see. That the international repository for human rights is paralyzed and rendered powerless to do anything about them is as incredible as it is shameful," Lauder said.
"We had hopes that the Durban Review Conference would reverse the indignity of Durban I, and that this conference would be carried out in accordance with the lofty principles that were established when the World Conference Against Racism was originally conceived," said Michael Schneider, Secretary General of the WJC. "The speech by President Ahmedinejad of Iran destroyed any possibility for the DRC to pursue its goals and establish guiding principles for all nations to fight racism. We thank those countries that had the wisdom to foresee what would happen at this conference and who made a principled decision to not attend a failed endeavor that brought no comfort to the victims of human rights abuses around the globe," he added.
"We can only wonder why the officials and members of the UN Human Rights Council and the delegates to this conference continue to uselessly expend so much energy focusing on only one country and one conflict when so many genuine human rights abuses, in all regions of the world, clamor for attention while their victims go unheeded," said Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress. "The world cannot say today that it does not know about the oppression of women, the executions of children, the persecution of journalists, and religious discrimination - these abuses are exposed for all to see. That the international repository for human rights is paralyzed and rendered powerless to do anything about them is as incredible as it is shameful," Lauder said.
"We had hopes that the Durban Review Conference would reverse the indignity of Durban I, and that this conference would be carried out in accordance with the lofty principles that were established when the World Conference Against Racism was originally conceived," said Michael Schneider, Secretary General of the WJC. "The speech by President Ahmedinejad of Iran destroyed any possibility for the DRC to pursue its goals and establish guiding principles for all nations to fight racism. We thank those countries that had the wisdom to foresee what would happen at this conference and who made a principled decision to not attend a failed endeavor that brought no comfort to the victims of human rights abuses around the globe," he added.
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