Obama deserves 'badge of honor' on Israel, says Netanyahu

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Wednesday US President Barack Obama's opposition to a Palestinian push for statehood recognition at the UN as "a badge of honor."

"I want to thank you, Mr President, for standing with Israel and supporting peace," Netanyahu said as the two men met before a backdrop of US and Israeli flags on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly Wednesday.

Referring to Obama's vow to veto a Palestinian recognition appeal, possibly in the UN Security Council, Netanyahu said: "I think this is a badge of honor and I want to thank you for wearing that badge of honor."

Using the same words Obama had employed moments before in a speech to the General Assembly, Netanyahu condemned what he said were Palestinian efforts to "short cut" peace talks by seeking UN statehood recognition.

Read more: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/22027/World/Region/Obama-deserves-badge-of-honor-on-Israel,-says-Neta.aspx

[wolfgirl]

1. But...but...Perry & rest of the GOP goobers

are saying Obama hates Israel (doesn't support them)...Now what will they say?


:dilemma: :sarcasm:

[Raschel]

4. He's still Black?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. Well

Maybe that will help shut down Republican talking points about Obama and Israel. Then again, probably not. :banghead:

[Auntie Bush]

14. The birthers haven't been shut up yet, so why whould they shut up now?

That would ruin all their stump speeches. :banghead:

[Lars77]

3. US foreign policy for the last decades has been a two-state solution, even under W.

But when push comes to shove, it turns out it was all lies.


An people wonder why Arabs are distrustful of western countries.

[Mosby]

10. Obama supports a two state solution

what he doesn't support is unilateral actions like that dictator Abbas wanted.

The conflict can only be ended through negotiations per UNSCR 242 amd 338.

[kitkat0]

13. 242

"Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict;"

Yeah, like Israel is ever going to do that.

Obama deserves a badge of shame.

[Lars77]

16. Yeah imagine the nerve of taking something to the United Nations without asking the Israelis..

[Violet_Crumble]

20. He said he does but his actions and words now indicate otherwise

Going to a multilateral body the same way as new states have in the past is not unilateral. It's how statehood is recognized and full membership of the UN is gained.

Abbas is NOT a dictator. also Palestine gaining statehood does not mean that there can be negotiations after that point. it looks like Israel is peddling that line and some are swallowing that lie hook line and sinker.

I'm curious after reading yr post to know whether or not you support a Palestinian state. Also is there any Palestinian politician you do approve of?

[Mosby]

36. i like salam fayyad, he seems honest and genuine

And he has done a good job, despite serious opposition he has been about the only person to actually build up state institutions, in particular the security services. Just like abbas though he is serving in an unelected position, as I'm sure you know there have not been any elections since '07 so the palestinians have been denied the fundamental right to select their leadership.

Not only do I support a palestinian state but I think bibi should freeze settlement construction (including "natural growth") for a time as a sign of good faith. During that freeze the palestinians in gaza and the wb should hold presidential and legeslative elections.

[Violet_Crumble]

42. He seems okay, but him and Abbas aren't dictators...

Neither of them are unelected to their positions, but are in a situation where elections couldn't be held. And given the latest polling I've seen when it comes to Gaza, I doubt very much Hamas is going to allow Gazans to vote in an election that would certainly remove them from power.

Not only do I support a palestinian state but I think bibi should freeze settlement construction (including "natural growth") for a time as a sign of good faith. During that freeze the palestinians in gaza and the wb should hold presidential and legeslative elections.

I doubt we agree on much, but we do agree on supporting a Palestinian state. It's very unlikely that Nutty will freeze settlement construction, seeing as how he refused to even when the US waved some incredibly massive bribes inducements in front of him previously. When it comes to meaningful and good faith negotiations, I can't see anything eventuating until both the Netanyahu government and Hamas are gone. I think that if they were out of the picture and Livni were PM, there would be good faith and constructive negotiations between her government (hopefully minus the extremist small parties that wield far too much power for anyone's good) and the PA...

[No Elephants]

28. As far as I can tell, the two state solution is a myth.

Israel is like a married person who is having an affair, but does not wish to get a divorce. He or she says to the extra marital lover, "I just can't make up my mind."

Meanwhile, he or she continues to live with the spouse and sleep with the extramarital lover.

When I see two states, I'll believe that talk of a two state solution is something more than a myth. Until then, not so much.

It's been 63 years and counting--and no end in sight. Not even close.

[No Elephants]

27. If I lived in the Middle East, I wouldn't trust any country, west, east, north or south.

[Raschel]

5. Er, uh, wait - he's lying because he's a secret Muslim.

[lsewpershad]

6. Go screw youself Netan=a-who?

Sooner or later the Palestinians WILL be free.

[harun]

7. I don't think Netanyahu's definition of peace is the same as our definition of peace.

[BeyondGeography]

8. Well, there you have it

Now let's get a second term.

[HereSince1628]

9. When Obama writes his memoir I expect

he will say, "Some painful choices were made."

[jannyk]

11. Netanyahu??? Oh vey

[sabrina 1]

12. Given how unpopular Netanyahu is around the globe, and now even

in Israel, it would have been better if he had kept his mouth shut. The whole world is FOR this UN resolution on behalf of Palestine. It won't help Obama to be seen as the only relevant world leader willing to stop it. Sort of like having Cheney say you're great.

[gratuitous]

15. "Supporting peace"?

Somehow I don't think that word means what Mr. Netanyahu thinks it means. As for the "badge of honor," indeed: President Obama knows when it's time to listen to his superiors, and that's who is talking today about a "badge of honor."

[vminfla]

17. Obama's words were well chosen and carefully thought out

His previous careless wording regarding two state solutions based on 1967 borders is what started this latest kerfurffle in the first place. You break it, you fix it. Good job Obama. The agenda of Abbas and the UN is quite clear and disingenuous. I would have more sympathy for those wishing to grant statehood to an arab state if they would first add Somaliland and Kurdistan as member nations.

[underpants]

18. Right, the problem is that Israel has bulked at all turns in negotiations

the UN resolution will not make them reverse course. In diplomacy you have to let them see why they need to turn the rudder.

[vminfla]

21. What rudder?

how does arbitrarily declaring a failed state amidst its own civil war a member solve any problem? Again, when will the UN take up a vote to recognize Kurdistan and Somaliland?

[The Stranger]

35. "Arbitrarily declaring a failed state"? Kurdistan and Somaliland?

You want to deny self-determination of a people and now bring up Kurdistan and Somaliland? WTF?

I don't think that kind of shit is going to work here.

They're doing exactly what Ben-Gurion did.

[hack89]

44. I don't see any flexibility on the part of the Palestinians either

they have consistently demanded concessions before negotiations could start - 67 borders, RoR and Jerusalem being the main ones. "Give me what I want then we will talk" seems to be their method.

[Violet_Crumble]

22. So yr opposed to a palestinian state?

Obamas performance at the UN showed loud and clear rhe dishonesty and complete and utter lack of concern for the Palestinians the Obama administration really has. While the one-sided speech where israel was portrayed as a victim, not the belligerent occupier it is, and the suffering of Palestinians being totally ignored would be applauded by those who support the occupation, settlements and whatever israel does, it's done nothing to improve the tattered reputation of rhe US around the world.

[vminfla]

24. A failed state

There is no chance for a successful state that is not only mired in civil war, but also aggressively attacks its neighbors.

[Violet_Crumble]

25. So the answer is no. You don't support a palestinian state

I suggest you read uP on the issue a bit more. The PA isnt mired in civil war, nor like its neigbour thats occupying it, carrying out violent attacks on its neighbours. The IMF and other international bodies all think Palestine is ready and prepared for statehood.

The problem with not supporting a Palestinian state is that in doing so it is opposing two states. If you don't support a Palestinian state what do you support in it's place? Annexation to Israel?

[Douglas Carpenter]

26. you do realize that by opposing the Palestinian state you are de facto supporting the single state

solution in which within less than 10 years will mean a Jewish minority ruling over a solid Arab majority. In twenty years it will mean a Jewish minority ruling over an overwhelming Arab majority. This is not a sustainable situation. This will mean that there certainly will no longer be a Jewish and democratic state. That will by then be completely impossible. By then the distribution of settlements will be way, way past the point of no return and the two-state solution will no longer even be remotely conceivable. Of course all the force in the world cannot out-muscle demographics and geography forever.

[vminfla]

30. You do realize that you are setting up a straw man argument

When I see Somaliland recognized by the UN then I will believe the sincerity of those that are promoting a premature Palestinian state.

[Douglas Carpenter]

31. there will either be a Palestinian state soon or there will be a long contentious battle

over a single state. That is reality. It is within America's national interest and Israel's longterm interest to support the rapid establishment of a Palestinian state. The alternative is American assisted national suicide for the Israeli state. Somaliland has nothing to do with this. That would have been like saying that unless all of Africa becomes democratic then those fighting for majority rule in South Africa were being insincere. The inability to take action on one thing does not preclude the ability to take action on another.

[vminfla]

33. Another straw man

Somaliland has everything to do with this. It highlights the hypocrisy and the transparanct subterfuge of those supporting a palestinian state. On what objective criteria is there to warrant an arab state and not a state for Somaliland?

[Douglas Carpenter]

34. I have not opposition to a state for Somaliland and I don't know of anyone else who does

Although, I don't know about everything. Somoliland is one issue that I don't know anything about. There are countless others. There are numerous conflicts in the world that I don't know enough about to have a strong opinion one way or another. Just as there are numerous domestic issues I don't know anything about. If someone is concerned about protecting the whales that does in no way denigrate those who are concerned about child labor in India. If one is concerned about Kashmir that in no way denigrates those who are concerned about the indigenous tribes of Bolivia. The fact that one is not doing everything about everything does not mean one cannot do anything about anything. Your are being absurd.

[vminfla]

37. Exactly. A Succesful state that has a chance (Somaliland)

Exactly my point, a successful state that has its own currency, infrastructure, and police force with no conflict is denied entry to the UN. Yet a failed state has entire UN committees and agencies dedicated to it. The fact that one can be successful and the other will not be demonstrates that the supporters of the failed state have an ulterior agenda.

[Douglas Carpenter]

38. the whole world supports a Palestinian State and has for a long, long time

Even George W. Bush claimed to support a Palestinian state.

Even in theory the right-wing Israeli government claims to support a Palestinian state.

So, I gather you support a single state. Do you believe that the single state should have free elections and be democratic?

[vminfla]

39. The whole world supports peace

Awarding a state to a failed government will only result in prolonged conflict. It is time for Abbas to negotiate with his peers in Israel. Defining borders for a state is premature.

[Douglas Carpenter]

40. the Palestinians have done nothing but make concession after concession after concession year

after year after year - All they have received in return is expansion, expansion and expansion creating an every increasing and nonviable collections of disconnected cantons - making any possible future viable state increasingly impossible. International law already defines the basic borders. The major international bodies all agree that the Palestinian Authority is ready for statehood - It is time to only get it in place and start working out the details.


http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/728a69d4-12b1-11dc-a475-000b5df10621,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F728a69d4-12b1-11dc-a475-000b5df10621.html%3Fnclick_check%3D1&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.democraticunderground.com%2Fdiscuss%2Fduboard.php%3Faz%3Dshow_topic%26forum%3D124%26topic_id%3D346029&nclick_check=1




“ there is no Palestinian state, even though the Israelis speak of one.” Instead, he said, “there will be a settler state and a Palestinian built-up area, divided into three sectors, cut by fingers of Israeli settlement and connected only by narrow roads."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/11/world/middleeast/11road.html?_r=14&pagewanted=2&ei=5070&en=22948d4799a34065&ex=1187496000&emc=eta1&oref

[Violet_Crumble]

41. Failed according to who? You? The IMF and donor states say otherwise...

Donor nations: Palestinians ready for statehood

(AP) UNITED NATIONS — Donor nations on Sunday reaffirmed the Palestinian Authority's readiness for statehood based on new reports from key international financial institutions and the United Nations.

The backing from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the U.N. and the donors as world leaders started arriving for high-level meetings at the General Assembly should give a boost to the Palestinians as they press their bid for U.N. membership as an independent state.

Norway Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, who chairs the donors support group, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, said at a meeting that efforts "to build robust state institutions and revive the Palestinian economy stand out as a remarkable international success story."

In April, the committee of major financial contributors to the Palestinians welcomed the assessment of the World Bank, IMF and U.N. that the Palestinian Authority "was above the threshold" for running state institutions.

"Today we have reconfirmed, based on the World Bank, the IMF and the United Nations that this progress is still solid," Stoere told reporters in summarizing the more than three-hour meeting Sunday night.

"It's now crucial to safeguard these achievements and the progress made so far," he said.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/18/ap/business/main20108034.shtml

Quick! The US and Israel better get a move on bullying and pressuring donor states to cut all aid, just like the US Congress is threatening to do! That way, they can use the perpetual excuse that it's a failed government that doesn't deserve to be a state any time the Palestinians apply for the exact same thing Israel did decades before...

[Capitalocracy]

19. I'm going to get in trouble for saying this, but...

here's how I interpreted the headline: "Fascist congratulates fascist on fascism."

How are we ever going to reach a two-state solution if Palestine is never going to be recognized as a state?

[unkachuck]

23. if the yahoo....

....is happy with Obama, then the Prez must be doing something wrong....

....how long should the Palestinians wait for statehood? They've been jacking around with Israel for fifty years and it's brought them little or nothing....I'm sure the yahoo wouldn't mind fifty more years of yielding little or nothing....

....solving the Palestinian 'problem' would remove a festering sore from world politics and offer a new beginning to millions of people....let's do it!

[No Elephants]

29. How many decades will it take Americans to realize the two state solution is a fairy tale?

And then, how many decades will it take for us to admit it?

[legin]

32. This is Obama's "Change We Can Believe in"

A nice batch of executions and a ringing endorsement from Netanyahu.

:puke:

[bemildred]

43. "No good deed goes unpunished." nt