beyondzerosum

TOPIC

OBAMA-STATE DEPT

OBAMA-AIPAC

NETANYAHU-AIPAC

NETANYAHU-CONGRESS

Borders

The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states.

The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states.

Borders The Sequel

By definition, it means that the parties themselves – Israelis and Palestinians – will negotiate a border that is different than the one that existed on June 4, 1967. It is a well known formula to all who have worked on this issue for a generation

The status of the settlements will be decided only in negotiations. But we

must also be honest. So I am saying today something that should be said

publicly by anyone serious about peace. In any peace agreement that ends

the conflict, some settlements will end up beyond Israel’s borders. The

precise delineation of those borders must be negotiated.

Borders III

It allows the parties themselves to account for the changes that have taken place over the last forty-four years, including the new demographic realities on the ground and the needs of both sides.

This compromise must reflect the dramatic demographic changes that have occurred since 1967.

Enough with the Borders Already

We will be very generous on the size of a future Palestinian state. But as President Obama said, the border will be different than the one that existed on June 4, 1967. Israel will not return to the indefensible lines of 1967.

Palestinian Right of Return

Open issue

Palestinians from around the world should have a right to immigrate, if they

so choose, to a Palestinian state. This means that the Palestinian refugee

problem will be resolved outside the borders of Israel.

Jerusalem

Open issue

As for Jerusalem, only a democratic Israel has protected freedom of worship

for all faiths in the city. Jerusalem must never again be divided.

Jerusalem must remain the united capital of Israel. I know that this is a

difficult issue for Palestinians. But I believe with creativity and goodwill

a solution can be found.

Israel as a Jewish State

Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland for the Jewish people, and the state of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people; each state enjoying self-determination, mutual recognition, and peace. [Emphasis added]

My friends, this must come to an end. President Abbas must do what I have

done. I stood before my people, and I told you it wasn’t easy for me, and I

said… “I will accept a Palestinian state.” It is time for President Abbas to

stand before his people and say… “I will accept a Jewish state.”

Self-Defense

As for security, every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself — by itself — against any threat

As for security, every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself – by itself – against any threat.

When we say never again, we mean never again. Israel always reserves the right to defend itself.

Security

Provisions must also be robust enough to prevent a resurgence of terrorism; to stop the infiltration of weapons; and to provide effective border security. The full and phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces should be coordinated with the assumption of Palestinian security responsibility in a sovereign, non-militarized state. The duration of this transition period must be agreed, and the effectiveness of security arrangements must be demonstrated.[Emphasis added]

Provisions must also be robust enough to prevent a resurgence of terrorism; to stop the infiltration of weapons; and to provide effective border security. The full and phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces should be coordinated with the assumption of Palestinian security responsibility in a sovereign, non-militarized state. The duration of this transition period must be agreed, and the effectiveness of security arrangements must be demonstrated.

So it is therefore absolutely vital for Israel’s security that a Palestinian state be fully demilitarized. And it is vital that Israel maintain a long-term military presence along the Jordan River. Solid security arrangements on the ground are necessary not only to protect the peace, they are necessary to protect Israel in case the peace unravels. For in our unstable region, no one can guarantee that our peace partners today will be there tomorrow.

Obama Admin Commitment to Israel

As for Israel, our friendship is rooted deeply in a shared history and shared values. Our commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable. And we will stand against attempts to single it out for criticism in international forums. But precisely because of our friendship, it is important that we tell the truth: the status quo is unsustainable, and Israel too must act boldly to advance a lasting peace.

Yesterday President Obama spoke about his ironclad commitment to Israel’s

security. He rightly said that our security cooperation is unprecedented. He

spoke of that commitment in front of AIPAC. He spoke about it in two

speeches heard throughout the Arab world. And he has backed those words

with deeds.

Security Cooperation

It’s why we’ve increased cooperation between our militaries to unprecedented levels.

He rightly said that our security cooperation is unprecedented

Advanced                        Technologies

It’s why we’re making our most advanced technologies available to our Israeli allies

Military $$

And it’s why, despite tough fiscal times, we’ve increased foreign military financing to record levels.

I know these are tough economic times. So I want to thank the president and

Congress for providing Israel with vital assistance so that Israel can

defend itself by itself

Thank you all, and thank you President Obama,

for your steadfast commitment to Israel’s security. I know economic times

are tough. I deeply appreciate this.

Iron Dome

That includes additional support – beyond regular military aid – for the Iron Dome anti-rocket system. This is a powerful example of American-Israel cooperation which has already intercepted rockets from Gaza and helped saved innocent Israeli lives. … make no mistake, we will maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge.

I want to thank you all for supporting the Iron

Dome missile defense system

Agreement Must Be Between the Two Parties

These are the facts. I firmly believe, and repeated on Thursday, that peace cannot be imposed on the parties to the conflict.

Delegitimization

For the Palestinians, efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure. Symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations in September won’t create an independent state.

You also see our commitment to Israel’s security in our steadfast opposition to any attempt to de-legitimize the State of Israel. As I said at the United Nation’s last year, “Israel’s existence must not be a subject for debate,” and “efforts to chip away at Israel’s legitimacy will only be met by the unshakeable opposition of the United States.”…No vote at the United Nations will ever create an independent Palestinian state. And the United States will stand up against efforts to single Israel out at the UN or in any international forum. Because Israel’s legitimacy is not a matter for debate.

Hamas As a Partner

Palestinian leaders will not achieve peace or prosperity if Hamas insists on a path of terror and rejection.

Moreover, we know that peace demands a partner – which is why I said that Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with Palestinians who do not recognize its right to exist, and we will hold the Palestinians accountable for their actions and their rhetoric.

And Hamas is not a partner for peace. Hamas remains committed to Israel’s

destruction and to terrorism. They have a charter. That charter not only

calls for the obliteration of Israel, but says ‘kill the Jews wherever you

find them’. Hamas’ leader condemned the killing of Osama bin Laden and

praised him as a holy warrior.

Hamas-Fatah Unification

the recent announcement of an agreement between Fatah and Hamas raises profound and legitimate questions for Israel — how can one negotiate with a party that has shown itself unwilling to recognize your right to exist. In the weeks and months to come, Palestinian leaders will have to provide a credible answer to that question.

And I indicated on Thursday that the recent agreement between Fatah and Hamas poses an enormous obstacle to peace. No country can be expected to negotiate with a terrorist organization sworn to its destruction. We will continue to demand that Hamas accept the basic responsibilities of peace: recognizing Israel’s right to exist, rejecting violence, and adhering to all existing agreements

Israel’s Right to Exist

And Palestinians will never realize their independence by denying the right of Israel to exist.

My friends, this must come to an end. President Abbas must do what I have

done. I stood before my people, and I told you it wasn’t easy for me, and I

said… “I will accept a Palestinian state.” It is time for President Abbas to

stand before his people and say… “I will accept a Jewish state.”

Gilad Shalit

And we once again call on Hamas to release Gilad Shalit, who has been kept from his family for five long years.

And you’ve joined

President Obama and me in denouncing Hamas and demanding that it release our captive soldier, Gilad Shalit

New Proposals?

There was nothing particularly original in my proposal; this basic framework for negotiations has long been the basis for discussions among the parties, including previous U.S. Administrations.…By definition, it means that the parties themselves – Israelis and Palestinians – will negotiate a border that is different than the one that existed on June 4, 1967. It is a well known formula to all who have worked on this issue for a generation …If there’s a controversy, then, it’s not based in substance. What I did on Thursday was to say publicly what has long been acknowledged privately. [Emphasis added]

Palestinian intransigence

So why has peace not been

achieved? Because so far, the Palestinians have been unwilling to accept a Palestinian state, if it meant accepting a Jewish state alongside it.…You see, our conflict has never been about the establishment of a Palestinian state. It has always been about the existence of the Jewish state.

Iran

See below

A nuclear-armed Iran would ignite a nuclear arms race in the Middle East…This is why I ask you to continue to send an unequivocal message: That America will never permit Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

Obama’s Actions Against Iran

You also see our commitment to our shared security in our determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Here in the U.S., we’ve imposed the toughest sanctions ever on the Iranian regime. At the United Nations, we’ve secured the most comprehensive international sanctions on the regime, which have been joined by allies and partners around the world. Today, Iran is virtually cut off from large parts of the international financial system, and we are going to keep up the pressure. So let me be absolutely clear – we remain committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

It is even worse because there

are many who rush to condemn Israel for defending itself against Iran’s

terror proxies.  But not you. Not America. You have acted differently. You’ve condemned the Iranian regime for its genocidal aims. You’ve passed tough sanctions against Iran. History will salute you America.  President Obama has said that the United States is determined to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He successfully led the Security Council to adopt sanctions against Iran. You in Congress passed even tougher sanctions. These words and deeds are vitally important.

Arab Teaching Hatred

For Israelis, it has meant living with the fear that their children could get blown up on a bus or by rockets fired at their homes, as well as the pain of knowing that other children in the region are taught to hate them.

They continue to educate their children to hate. They continue to name

public squares after terrorists. And worst of all, they continue to

perpetuate the fantasy that Israel will one day be flooded by the

descendants of Palestinian refugees.