Obama Calls For Palestinian State Along 1967 Borders

President Obama greeting audience members after his speech today (AP)

During a major speech on Middle East policy today, President Obama used the opportunity to directly address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and called for the creation of a Palestinian state along the borders which existed before the 1967 Six Day War. As the NY Times notes, it's the first time an American president has explicitly taken that position.

"We believe 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 Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their full potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state," he said. At the United Nations General Assembly last year, Obama said that true security for the Jewish state requires an independent Palestine, one that allows the Palestinian people to live with dignity and opportunity.

Obama also sounded frustrated with both sides for the seemingly endless amount of failed peace talks between the two nations. He admitted there was much left to be negotiated about, particularly regarding refugees, but he framed the speech in the context of the great political upheaval which has swept through the area in recent months: “At a time when the people of the Middle East and North Africa are casting off the burdens of the past, the drive for a lasting peace that ends the conflict and resolves all claims is more urgent that ever,” he said.

Shortly after Obama's speech (full remarks), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is coming to the White House for a meeting tomorrow, responded to the President's speech, calling the 1967 proposal "indefensible," and said he “expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of American commitments made to Israel in 2004 which were overwhelmingly supported by both houses of Congress.” Obama's compromise would force Israel to give up land which it won in the Six Day War.

During his speech, Obama made sure to criticize the Palestinian side as well: he said that any "efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure," chided Hamas for its "path of terror and rejection," and reiterated America's close ties 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.

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By Ben Yakas in News on May 19, 2011 5:34 PM

Comments [rss]

chuzzlewit

i think daffy1, daffy2, popeye and chilly willy all bring, if not valid, then at least popularly held viewpoints to the table - and that vigorous level of discourse gives me hope for the future, speaking as a drawn citizen.

Think2wice

Gasp! The impertinence, the insolence, the effrontery of it all! Anyone with sense would have called for the year 500 BC border.

PanBenek

Obama knows he can raise funds on the internet, he does not need the checks from the pro-Israel lobby. The world has changed for the better thanks to the internet!

JackBrat

Geez- I wonder if our amateur President would make the same speech if all of the thousands and thousands of Egyptians in Tahrir Square in Cairo last week were shouting:
"Kill all the Mullattos" ?!

proudliberal1947

On the serious side of the discussion, this is the same proposal that was given by Mr. Clinton and the WAR CRIMINAL bush and now Mr Obama, if anyone is serious and is really following this they will realize that Israel will pick up 80% of its population that now lives outside the old markers of the 67 war. He boxed Palestine into a corner and put them on notice that Palatine MUST come to the table peacefully and open handed and served notice to Israel that we will stand with them.

Yes he told Palestine not to use the UN, however Palestine can turn the tables on Mr. Obama by pointing out that is EXACTLY what Israel did when then wanted their State, hell what is good for the goose is also good for the Gander.

If I was a Jew I would be suspicious of the christian s here in America because they can not be trusted, remember with everything the Jews and Palestinians hve been through they are coming to Israel to give you courage ( talk about a slap in the face), also remember for the Jews christian DO NOT respect your religion as you killed their christ (ROFL at the christian) they are constantly trying to convert you to their belief. Trust the Palestinian before you trust a christian, your enemy knows you and understands you, the christian wants to dominate you, big difference.

This peace process will work and it will work because the christian is kept out of it, and the real parties do want a end. In fact nothing absolutely nothing has changed (other than the people) since these negotiations have started. To Palestine I say if some one moved into the middle of my home I would truly be upset, and the fight has been good, but in good conscience how many more of the Palestinian future are you going to sacrifice, the World does not care this is proven with the USA and England's backing, you have fought a good battle but I ask isn't it time to win the world and prove your point, let your Children grow to the skilled Leaders that you need then attack them on their own terms and win, as it stands now you are at a draw. The Israeli's are children, the bully on the Block, you cry and scream when its not your way,yet you do not tell the World what your Ancient History is and why you are so despised by the Arab world, no you hide behind the skirts of America and Britian, yet you will not tell the world WHY you are so hated.

Much like the TURD republican in America you are despised not for your religion but for your betrayals of the past, no I am not anti Israel, i am just tired of the BS that Israel puts out their and these TURD republicans try to sell the American people (note: TURD republicans are being used because they are sell outs and COWARDS and proven LIARS, and you listen to them), The jew has to also ask you self other then the commodity of WAR what does Israel stand for, in all the years of war and hatred I can not name one thing Israel stands for other then WAR, ( oh yeah the delusional, concept of the Fear and Hate mongering christian), how many more of yoiur sons and daughters are you going to sacrifice for a phony cause.

pay attention Israel I am a Tax payer in America and I am TIRED of supporting your PHONY WAR, and if you read American and International opinions, American and the World are tired of this farce, lets get serious on BOTH sides and keep the Hate and Fear mongering christian out of it.

Mr Mel

Cat got your tongue?

crusher153

wow! i'm speechless! i honestly feel for you! better start taking ur meds again everyone is a lil concerned

PanBenek

Notice the main line media is pushing the Israeli POV. Now we can all see who really controls the US media.

crusher153

yes we can. the democrats! i consider myself to be an american not a repubican or a democrat. i use my brain to decide what is right or wrong. is everything that black and white to you? yes there are news channels that do promote a conservative ideals. they are a minority. the majority of our media pushes a very liberal view down everyones throats! alot of celebrities in hollywood are liberals and push their unwanted views on us. like we really give a crap what they think.
conservative actors do it too but not to the extent of the others.

as for obama and bush; lets just say if bush cut a loud fart they would have crucified him, saying he was adding to global warming. if obama did the same thing it would be an alternative energy source.

the greatest equalizer is the computer. you can find real hard facts about everyone in question. decide for yourself!

weave

"based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps"

How does anyone get "he wants to go back to PRE 1967 borders from THAT?"

Android Phones

Israel and the Palestine must work hard in acquiring peace. This conflict is been going on for too long. Money and earthly possessions will destroy mankind.

xXxMExXx

It is difficult to imagine how much the Democrats are going to have to demonize the Republican candidate to keep this disaster in office.

Brandon Baugh

Israel won't be able to defend itself if the 1967 borders are reinstated? See what happens when you steal land that doesn't belong to you!

crusher153

didn't we do that to the indians and mexicans? didnt the vikings do that to ireland and the rest of euorpe? didnt the english do that all over the world? didnt the dutch do that in south africa? the greeks, the romans, the moors, i can go on. in every time and place there was some group of people taking over some land that didnt origionally belong to them.

why is this any different? i know, the palestinians and other muslims want non muslims off the face of the earth! whether ur jewish, christian, buddist, hindu, athiest, or whatever! you do not belive in allah therefore you are an infidel!

do you really think they will stop at a palestinian state? they will always think they are entitled to more and WILL try and get more!

Guest

They took over hostile territory from which they were constantly attacked. Keep the current borders.

iam draize

They left Europe in boatloads...settled an area by force and ethnically cleansed the people who were there so that there would be a 'Jewish' majority.

Lets not kid ourselves about what Zionism is.

HymietownHero

Are you claiming, by use of the term "ethnically cleansed", that the Zionists murdered and violently drove out the civilian Palestinian population? Because that is a blatant lie.

Guest

How about they were forced violently from Europe. They did not 'just' leave. If you and your family were being slaughtered I think you would leave too.

Stephen Rosenbach

"...Obama's compromise would force Israel to give up land which it won in the Six Day War..."

Actually, almost everyone in Israel, even the Netanyahu government, understands that this is the obvious end state of any successful peace agreement. President Obama, while using the term, "1967 borders" also said that the eventual settlement will involve negotiated land swaps. By this, I assume he means blocks of significant Jewish population somewhat East of the old cease-fire line (there were never established "borders" following the War of Independence) such as Ma'ale Adumim and Ariel. These will be swapped for unpopulated territory West of the "1967 border." This is basically the same plan envisioned under the Bush Doctrine and acceptable to the Israeli public and most political factions.

The real issue is whether the Palestinians will be able to implement the institutions of a civil society: rule of law, independent courts, a free press, transparent government freely chosen by the citizens, etc. While there has been some progress towards this lately in the West Bank, in general, the Palestinians have been unable and/or unwilling to take these steps. Until they do, they constitute a threat to Israel, to the region, and to themselves, and should not be accorded their own state. In a generally good speech, this is one serious and vital area that the President missed addressing.

zombiebob

you sound JUST like the old colonoizers... " We just care TOO much to let them run their own lives... they are just barbarians" You are a deceiver and a liar, I see through your BS, and more and more people are as well, Americans AND Israeil's who realize that f'd up shite is being done in their names. Your time has passed, so get nervous and consider some plastic surgery to fix your forked toungue... what was once an asset for you is now a liablity.