President Obama delivered his highly anticipated speech to the Muslim world to an audience of 3,000 invited guests in the Major Reception Hall at Cairo University in which he affirmed America is not and never will be at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our securityThe president divided his speech into seven sections, often sounding like the university professor he was before he sought political office. He touched on “sources of tension” from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, democracy, religious freedom, women’s rights and economic development and opportunity.
Although his speech was intended to address issues relevant to the entire Arab and Muslim world, he specifically mentions the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as one of his top concerns. The President, some noted, did not offer any new initiatives, did not lay out a time line for progress towards a Middle East settlement and asked his audience to accept a view which gave equal weight to Israeli and Palestinian concerns. While describing America’s bond with Israel as “well known and unbreakable,” the President also acknowledged the suffering of the Palestinian people. He called for a reciprocated recognition by Israelis of the Palestinian right to exist. He stated
It is also undeniable that the Palestinian people have suffered in pursuit of a homeland and endured the pain of dislocation for more than 60 years… They endure the daily humiliations, large and small, that come with occupation. The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn their backs for a state of their own.REACTIONS
International reactions to the President's speech varied from praise to criticism, with many questioning whether the words will translate into actions. The following are highlights of immediate official and unofficial reactions.
Reaction to Obama's speech to the Muslim world (Gulf News)
Ministers split over Obama's Cairo speech (Ynet)
Obama's speech: Israel reacts (USA Today)
Marzel in response to Obama speech: We'll continue to settle Israel (YNET)
Reaction: Arab Students Respond to Obama (New York Times)
Reactions to Obama's Speech (Washington Post)
Obama speech reaction, from Gaza to Pakistan (Guardian)
Some Arabs inspired, others unimpressed after Obama's speech (Gulf News)
HEADLINES
Obama Calls for Alliances With Muslims (NYT)
'Gov't shares Obama's wish for Arab-Israeli reconciliation' (Jerusalem Post)
'Obama speech in Cairo a good start,' Palestinian Authority says (Ha'aretz)
Obama: Israel cannot deny Palestine's right to exist (Ma'an)
Hamas: Obama's speech no change in US policy (Ynet)
Osama bin Laden emerges to attack Barack Obama for ‘antagonising Muslims’ (Times Online UK)
Palestine and the Palestinians
World Bank: Aid won't spark Palestinian growth (AP)
West Bank Violence Greets Obama Push for Mideast Peace (VOA News)
Three dead as Palestinian police, Hamas clash in West Bank (Ha'aretz)
Palestinian teen injured in Bil'in rally (YNET)
Gaza businessmen want compensation for war damage (YNET)
Hamas Urges Members to Confront ‘Abbas Security Forces (The Media Line)
Palestinians: Jerusalem to be our capital (UPI)
Israel
Mixed reactions in Israel to speech (Jerusalem Post)
Ministers split over Obama's Cairo speech (Ynet)
60% of Israelis don't trust Obama (Ynet)
Israelis Say Bush Agreed to West Bank Growth (New York Times)
Settler leaders: 'Hussein Obama' bought into Arab lies (Haaretz)
Report: Far-rightists threaten top IDF general (Haaretz)
IDF declares Nablus area a closed military zone to keep out left-wing activists (Haaretz)
Israeli forces demolish West Bank Bedouin homes (Ma'an)
Shas won't let government dry out West Bank settlements (Ha'aretz)
The Neighbors
Egyptians Crave Deeds More Than Words (New York Times)
Anxious Cairo residents hope Obama will overturn a decade of mistrust (Times Online UK)
Video: How the Middle East views Obama's visit (BBC News)
Hizbollah camp gaining in Lebanon vote - pollsters (The Jordan Times)
Lincoln-Douglas debates, Iranian style (Christian Science Monitor)
US Foreign Policy
President Obama reassures Israel via e-mail before Muslim speech (New York Daily News)
Some in Congress uneasy with Obama's Mideast Policy (LA Times)
International Relations/Law
Gallup: Arab Nations' Views of US Slightly Less Negative Under President Obama (ABC)
Israel warns Belarus over Iran ties (AP)
UN says Israel didn't remove checkpoints as claimed (Ma'an)
Ya'alon: N. Korea's nuclear tests will have indirect effect on Israel (Jerusalem Post)
Obama vs. bin Laden: A battle for Muslim hearts (Christian Science Monitor)
Iran nuclear leaks 'linked to Israel' (Asia Times)
Bulgaria donates 100 000 euro to Gaza Strip hospitals (Sofia Echo)
Lieberman and Barak send conflicting signals on Iran (The Daily Star)
Hamas dismisses commanders on Iran order (Ha'aretz)
Arts and Activism
Despite Israel's efforts, Palestinian festival celebrates literature (Electronic Intifada)
Commentary
Hishmeh: US policy needs to change (Gulf News)
Abunimah: A Bush in sheep's clothing (Guardian)
Benn: Analysis: Netanyahu will comply with Obama's demands (Ha'aretz)
Ignatius: To make peace, Obama will have to make serious enemies (Daily Star)
Eshman: Opinion: Iran First (Jewish Journal)
Benjamin: Obama should visit Gaza (Electronic Intifada)
Fleishman: Obama speech analysis: Are Muslims convinced? (LA Times)
Walt: Is the Israel Lobby Getting Weaker? (Foreign Policy)
Levy: Future of Mideast is a Domestic American Issue (Haaretz)
Cook: Where Are the Missing Settlers? (Counter Currents)
Fisk: Could it Be Al-Qaida is Missing Bush? (Independent)
Baroud: Netanyahu's New Quest (Al-Ahram Weekly)
Aloni: Israel is controlled by religious fanaticism (Ha'aretz)
Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.
