Obama: New approach in Middle East

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A-6 THE RECORD FROM PAGE ONE ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS President Obama with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as they headed for a meeting Thursday in Ramallah. Obama: New approach in Middle East From Page A-1 make much progress.

Some ac- "You can be the generation that tivists protested, burning Ameri- can flags and defacing posters of the U.S. president. challenge to its future," "The only way to truly protect the Israeli people is through the ab- sence of war, because no wall is high enough, and no Iron Dome is strong enough, to stop every ene- my from inflicting harm." The president pointed to the Jewish people's own history of slavery and genocide, and asked the crowd to consider the plight of neighboring Palestinians, who live under military occupation, can't move freely and have no country But after meeting with Obama, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said at a news conference that he had renewed confidence that the administration would intensify efforts to kick-start the peace process.

Neither leader announced any specific agree ments or steps. Abbas told Obama that before negotiations can resume, Israel must halt settlement construction, which the international communi- ty views as illegal.

Obama, howev- er, has toned down his language "Put vourself in their shoes, on settlements, which he de- look at the world through their scribed in 2009 as illegitimate. eyes," he said.

"Just as Israelis built On Thursday, he said they were a state in their homeland, Pales- not "constructive" or "appropri tinians have a right to be a free Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a discussion ate." and he seemed to endorse the people in their own land." with President Obama during a state dinner in Jerusalem.

Israeli position that the issue Thursday's speech hinted at a should not be used as a precondi- shift in tactics on the issue of con- himself from Israel.

The visit this the conservative Likud Party had struction of Israeli settlements. week, and particularly the speech, Worried that Netanyahu might In Obama's first term, "he went were seen as attempts to change But after encountering resist- again face pressure from Obama in with guns blazing," said Zvika that view and assure Israelis of ance and defiance from both sides, to freeze settlement construction, Krieger, senior vice president at U.S. support.

Obama withdrew to the sidelines. right-wing Israeli politicians are al- the S. Daniel Abraham Center for "It was good to hear of his sup- and some questioned whether he ready warning the prime minister Mideast Peace in Washington. port for Israel. That means a lot," had the passion to try again. against such a step. Jewish Home "But that didn't work.

This time said Yocheved Lowenstern, 22, a partv leader Naftali Bennett, a kev his approach is, 'Let's hear the par- neuroscience student who was in Caution on both sides the audience.

"But if you ask any Skeptical Israelis suspect that coalition, said he would withdraw It was a rousing, well-received kid in Israel, they'll say they want Obama's kind words may soon be from the government if another address reminiscent of Obama's peace.

The problem is, it's hard to followed by sharper demands. make peace with a country that "Is this a different tactic in "Israel's position is very clear "You must create the change doesn't recognize your rights to be which someone has smeared hon- and I am glad to see the American ey on a plastic spoon that will one position moving closer to it too," than 1,000 students. whom won coveted tickets to at- The speech may signal that day turn back into a sharp knife?" said Israel's deputy foreign minis- Obama is preparing to renew an American-led peace initiative, de- columnist Shalom Yerushalmi.

Shortly before the president's But it was a speech that focused spite the administration's attempts Stark differences remain be- trip to the West Bank, Gaza Strip on shared dreams rather than to lower expectations of his trip. tween Israelis and Palestinians, militants fired two rockets at the thorny details, which are what recently appointed a new suggesting that even if talks re- southern Israeli citv of Sderot.

The have crippled the peace process Mideast envoy, and newly in- strikes, which caused damage but for years.

Though Israeli govern- stalled Secretary of State John Ker- no injuries, broke a cease-fire ment officials were probably re- ry is expected to return to the re- During a visit earlier Thursday new conditions or demands, the "He's showed an American po- Authority's agreement that has largely held lieved that Obama announced no gion Saturday. the Palestinian since November between Israel headquarters in Ramallah, in the and Hamas, the Islamist militant lack of specific initiatives or policy frameworks left questions about litical will," said Ziad Asali, presi- West Bank, Obama voiced empa- group that controls Gaza dent of the American Task Force thy with Palestinians living under Obama condemned the attack whether it was enough to nudge on Palestine, an advocacy group in Israeli occupation and reasserted and criticized Hamas for refusing the U.S. commitment to helping Some likened the address to Obama made a concerted effort them obtain a state.

"Hamas cares more about en- Obama's 2009 speech in Cairo, in his first term to tackle the con- "The Palestinian people deserve forcing its own rigid dogmas than when the president called for a flict, appointing a special envoy. an end to occupation and the dai- new relationship between the to temporarily ly indignities that come with it," freely," he said.

"Too often it focus- United States and the Muslim freeze some settlement construc- Obama said. But he said both sides es on tearing Israel down, rather tion and pressing Prime Minister need to set aside old entrenched than building Palestine up.

Benjamin Netanyahu to publicly positions and "think anew." many Israelis with the impression endorse the concept of a Palestin- Most Palestinians are wary of This article contains material from that Obama was trying to distance ian state, something no leader of Obama, saying he has failed to The Associated Press

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"Obama: New approach in Middle East," The Recorder, 22 March 2013. Covering Palestine archive, CP-2013-015. https://coveringpalestine.org/archive/cp-2013-015