By Josh Basson, , Seattle
I am disappointed by Obama’s speech calling for Israel to return to its pre-1967 lines as the basis for a two-state solution. Those borders have been determined by military experts as indefensible borders. Sadly, he becomes the first U.S. president to do so.
Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu rightly took issue with Obama’s call stating that the viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of the viability of the one and only Jewish state. U.S. commitments were made to Israel in 2004 that it would not have to return to the 1967 lines.
Obama appears to have thrown our most reliable ally, Israel, under the bus. He sends the wrong message to the Palestinians and emboldens people who seek Israel’s destruction.
Lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians cannot come through a unilateral declaration, but can only come through negotiations that settle all the outstanding issues to the satisfaction of both sides and mutual respect and security.
A majority of U.S. voters oppose a unilaterally declared Palestinian state and support Israel’s right to exist, according to a recent national survey.
The Palestinians are seeking recognition for a state that includes in its government Hamas, an Iran-backed, U.S. State Department-designated foreign terrorist organization that is responsible for firing thousands of rockets at civilian targets in Israel.
The Palestinians seek recognition of a Palestinian state, while refusing to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people.
If the Palestinan/Muslim world would simply recognize the Jewish people’s right to a sovereign homeland there would be absolute peace and security for all. It is time to put the sandal on the other foot and let Palestinian/Muslims start making concessions.
The Palestinians must stop teaching their children to hate Israelis and Jews and stop naming streets and squares after terrorists. They should return to negotiations without pre-conditions with Israel immediately if they want an independent state.