Middle East News

Obama pledges to be "constructive " peace partner if elected (Extra)

Jul 23, 2008, 12:41 GMT

Ramallah - Democratic Party presidential contender Barack Obama said Wednesday he would be a 'constructive' partner in Israeli- Palestinian peace efforts if elected to the White House but stressed that any deal should not be imposed by Washington but should be reached by the negotiating parties themselves.

Briefing reporters on Obama's one-hour meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Illinois senator had said he shared Israeli and Palestinian hopes for a peace deal by the end of the year.

Obama, Erekat said, left Palestinians 'feeling very well, reassuring us about his commitment for peace.'

He described the talks between Omaba and Abbas as 'a very important meeting' and Obama himself, when asked about the discussion, replied that it was 'excellent.'

'We appreciate very much that Senator Obama is committed to working with us in pursuing a two-state solution (to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict),' Erekat said.

The veteran negotiator said Abbas had briefed Obama on the peace process, and the negotiations with Israel, and explained the 'difficulties and obstacles' created by Israeli settlements, the West Bank barrier, and Israeli military incursions.

Obama arrived in Israel Tuesday night for a 30-hour stay, during which, apart from his lightning visit to the West Bank, he is also holding talks with Israeli officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Abbas pledged at a peace conference late last year to try and reach a peace agreement by the end of 2008.



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SP4: so....Jul 23rd, 2008 - 15:37:36

...he's committed to peace......too bad none of the parties are...

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margeJul 23rd, 2008 - 17:15:39

Today, Obama is in Israel pandering to Jews and pledging that the US will continue its unconditional support of Israel and its unjust policy toward the Palestinians. Obama pledged not to pressure Israel into making concessions to the Palestinians or to uphold UN Resolutions to ensure a peace agreement. Obama verbalized his agreement with Israel that Palestinians should not have right of return and stressed that Israel should have control of Jerusalem. Obama undermined all attempts by the Bush administration to persuade Israel to stop the settlements and negotiate deal with the Palestinians that would result in a two state solution. Surprisingly, Obama supported Israel's violation of Syria's border boundaries to bomb their alleged nuclear factory and implied he would approve an attack on Iran by Israel. The Obama policy, like that of George Bush, justifies the need for Iran and arab countries to have nuclear weapons to protect their sovereignty and people just like Israel, and undermines the IAEA, EU, NPT, and UN and confirming these organizations are ineffective and should be disbanded.

Obama made it absolutely clear that he will not be a honest broker in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or instrumental in bringing peace to the Middle East. The Obama policy justifies the need for Iran and arab countries to have nuclear bombs to protect their sovereignty and people from the atrocities from the State of Israel. It is difficult to believe Obama, a seemingly intelligent man and a constitutional scholar, would justify the right of Israel or any country to violate the border boundaries of another sovereign country and bomb their property on an allegation.

OBAMA IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT BUT I HAVE NOT CHOICE BUT TO VOTE FOR HIM AS THE LESSER OF 2 EVILS. WHEN COMPARING THE OBAMA POLICIES WITH THOSE OF McCLAIN, THE OBAMA POLICIES WILL CAUSE LESS SUFFERING AT HOME AND ABROAD.

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The TruthmanJul 23rd, 2008 - 19:22:58

Here are some questions:

1. Is it the job of a candidate running for the highest position of leadership of his country to appeal to foreigners who can't vote in his country's elections?

2. Are Jews such a heavy percentage (2.5%) of the American population that it is worth pandering to them for the national Presidential election?

3. What does your average American gain from Israel surviving another day?

4. If American politicians realized that most Israelis aren't white people with pseudo-European names, would our government take Jews off the list of endangered species?

Barack Hussein Obama, please come home and take care of our own interests. That old Irish Jew with a trophy wife can waste his time on the fruitless politicking that you are getting dragged into!

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