BREAKING on MSNBC: Less than 1 hour after Obama's speech, Israeli PM strongy rejects Obama's plan.

[Poll_Blind]

Per a message on MSNBC which was said to have come from the AP Breaking wire. Very sad. The Israeli government never misses a chance to miss a chance.

You would have figured they could have at least thought it over for an hour before shooting it down. :eyes:

UPDATE1:Being retweeted by Reuters, BreakingNews & Christiane Amanpour:

Reuters: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says he "appreciates" Obama's speech but rejects withdrawal to "indefensible" 1967 borders

That response is BS- President Obama said the 1967 borders should be the starting point for a land swap between Israel and the Palestinians. Again, this rejection is just BS and it's twisting what the President suggested so Netanyahu can keep collecting American money without lifting his finger for Peace.

UPDATE2:From Haaretz breaking news:

Netanyahu: Palestinian state shouldn't be established at 'expense of Israel's existence' (Reuters)

This is just uncalled-for hyperbole. It makes Netanyahu look like even more of an ass, grasping at bullshit to defend his indefensible sloth when it comes to the Peace process. But the concept that Obama is promoting plans which endanger Israel's existence play very well with the fundie crowd over there.

UPDATE3:From CNN's John King via http://twitter.com/#!/JohnKingCNN">Twitter:

tension time: netanyahu responds by insisting obama honor bush commitment for israel "not having to withdraw to the 1967 lines"

Honor...Bush agreements?

:rofl:

UPDATE4: Official response from Netanyahu on Facebook (I'm not kidding! I've verified it as legit and quotes are already appearing in major news articles):

Israel appreciates President Obama’s commitment to peace. Israel believes that for peace to endure between Israelis and Palestinians, the viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of the viability of the one and only Jewish state.

That is why Prime Minister Netanyahu expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of U.S. commitments made to Israel in 2004, which were overwhelmingly supported by both Houses of Congress.

Among other things, those commitments relate to Israel not having to withdraw to the 1967 lines which are both indefensible and which would leave major Israeli population centers in Judea and Samaria beyond those lines.

Those commitments also ensure Israel’s well-being as a Jewish state by making clear that Palestinian refugees will settle in a future Palestinian state rather than in Israel.

Without a solution to the Palestinian refugee problem outside the borders of Israel, no territorial concession will bring peace.

Equally, the Palestinians, and not just the United States, must recognize Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, and any peace agreement with them must end all claims against Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu will make clear that the defense of Israel requires an Israeli military presence along the Jordan River.

Prime Minister Netanyahu will also express his disappointment over the Palestinian Authority’s decision to embrace Hamas, a terror organization committed to Israel’s destruction, as well as over Mahmoud Abbas’s recently expressed views which grossly distort history and make clear that Abbas seeks a Palestinian state in order to continue the conflict with Israel rather than end it.

The second-to-last-sentence, about the "Jordan River" implies Israel might not allow a contiguous connection between any Palestinian state and the Jordan river. Which is a direct contradiction to Obama, who went out of his way to make it clear that Palestinians living on the West Bank would have a border with Jordan.

PB

[villager]

1. All sides in Mideast "peace" "talks" never fail to miss a chance to miss a chance, alas

Obama may need to consider other means of persuasion, outside of the rhetorical ones, to get them to listen...

[hlthe2b]

2. I am so damned sick and tired of Israel's intransigence...

Do we need to support them? Yes... Do we need to unconditionally allow them to continually provoke more strife, violence, and terrorism? Hell no. Something's got to give IMO.

[indepat]

9. The US will give: whatever is necessary to fund intransigence

:patriot:

[NoodleyAppendage]

3. Then they can PAY FOR THEIR OWN GD SECURITY. How much do we give Israel to crap on us?

Like an ungrateful adult child, maybe Israel should leave the security of US money and support and pay its own way. Boy, that would be novel...and MATURE.

J

[truebrit71]

6. A-fricking-Men!!!

..

[Aerows]

21. Another A-fricking-men

Don't start wars you don't want to fight, tiny country, by pissing all over people that have tried to help (Turkey, the US) sort out the differences.

[bemildred]

4. Gee, who could have predicted this? nt

[leveymg]

5. Tell them we'll shut the overnight loans window at the NY Fed to Israeli Banks.

THAT will make them reconsider.

[Whisp]

17. than Obama would be an anti-semite. yes, that is what would happen

and of course the media would be hyping that one up

[leveymg]

18. Israeli Right-wingers say he's a Muslim terrorist, now. So, why not?

I think for once, we might hear both sides. The NY media isn't what it once was.

[cbdo2007]

7. Maybe we should finally cut off Israel and let them fend for themselves....

Notice who they always come running to when they have a problem. Maybe we should close the door to them for a little while so they'll be a little more grateful.

[joeybee12]

8. The Israeli PM was slower than usual, you say? nt

:evilgrin:

Anyway, it's allposturing at this point...he's playing to his home crowd.

[Jester Messiah]

10. Ah well, guess they'll have to go it alone then.

Too bad, so sad.

[defendandprotect]

11. Stop giving them money --- and stop the AIPAC lobbying -- !!

[Poll_Blind]

36. We should be working with J Street, not NEOCON AIPAC.

PB

[madamesilverspurs]

12. The 1967 borders are, in fact, indefensible.

Same can be said for any altruistic intent toward Israel from Arab nations.


-

[jberryhill]

14. They were, in fact, defended

[Change Happens]

13. What an ass this Israeli guy is...But, we knew all along he is fucking moron

Always prefers war...FUCK HIM!

[Whisp]

15. Mr. Yahoo thinks He is the President of the United States

I hate that *********.

[Doctor Hurt]

16. Administration knew this would be rejected

so the question is, what's the real plan?

[leveymg]

20. Good question. Probably status quo ante - bumble on, fall forward, sternly-worded letter?

Is there a real plan?

[JuniperLea]

23. I'm betting there is...

Rejection means nothing... that asshat is as bad as our own Pubbies in that regard... money talks;)

[leveymg]

25. What do you think the plan is?

I sure as hell would like to know.

The one thing that I can think of is the thing that has not been tried -- the only thing that might work - threaten their purse strings (banking as well as aid), cut a few, count the minutes until Israeli policy changes.

[JuniperLea]

37. That would be pure speculation...

All I can say for sure is that Obama struck a nerve with both Hamas and Netanyahu... that tells me he's on the right track.

I think a thread of witholding aid is a very good idea.

[Jackpine Radical]

24. Obviously.

At this point, who knows which actors are playing to which audiences?

Yeah. What's the real plan? Both Obama & Netanyahu have their little song & dance routines all rehearsed for Act I.

[Canuckistanian]

19. Well, it WAS leaked to the Israelis last week

There was a post about it here.

On edit: It was Tuesday:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4854502&mesg_id=4854502

[oberliner]

22. The Anti-Defamation League comes out with a strong statement of support

Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director issued the following statement:

We welcome President Obama's compelling speech on the priorities for American policy in the Middle East. We applaud his strong outlining of the principles which motivate that policy, including supporting the universal rights of free speech, equality and religious freedom, opposing the use of force and political repression, and promoting political and economic reforms. These are a reflection of American values and promote American interests.

We further commend his strong affirmation of the importance of the deep and unshakeable U.S.-Israel relationship, and his clear articulation of the moral and strategic connections between America and Israel. We support the President's vision of a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian settlement with strong security provisions for Israel, and a non-militarized Palestinian state. We appreciate his direct rejection of a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state and his understanding that the Hamas-Fatah agreement poses major problems for Israel.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adl-applauds-president-obamas-strong-outline-of-principles-for-us-policy-in-middle-east-supports-his-vision-for-a-two-state-solution-122245123.html

[Jackpine Radical]

26. And another actor in the little skit sings.

My program says the next one on stage will be a "responsible" Palestinian spokesperson.

[Poll_Blind]

42. You're misrepresenting the ADL's statement which doesn't mention the '67 borders at all.

They don't support President Obama, and you know it. They just support the call for preventing a Palestinian state being declared in the UN. Something which has popular support at the moment, from other world governments.

PB

[oberliner]

44. There is no "misrepresenting" going on - it's a verbatim cut and paste of the statement itself

Here is the whole press release:

ADL Applauds President Obama's Strong Outline of Principles for U.S. Policy in Middle East Supports His Vision for a Two-State Solution

NEW YORK, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended President Barack Obama for his statement of U.S. priorities in the Middle East, his strong affirmation of the deep and "unshakeable" relationship between the United States and Israel, and expressed support for his vision of a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian settlement with strong security provisions for Israel and a non-militarized Palestinian state.

Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director issued the following statement:

We welcome President Obama's compelling speech on the priorities for American policy in the Middle East. We applaud his strong outlining of the principles which motivate that policy, including supporting the universal rights of free speech, equality and religious freedom, opposing the use of force and political repression, and promoting political and economic reforms. These are a reflection of American values and promote American interests.

We further commend his strong affirmation of the importance of the deep and unshakeable U.S.-Israel relationship, and his clear articulation of the moral and strategic connections between America and Israel. We support the President's vision of a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian settlement with strong security provisions for Israel, and a non-militarized Palestinian state. We appreciate his direct rejection of a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state and his understanding that the Hamas-Fatah agreement poses major problems for Israel.

The Palestinians must heed the President's warnings about imprudent and self-defeating actions, including through campaigns to delegitimize Israel, plans to unilaterally declare statehood, and a unity agreement with a Hamas which remains committed to violence, rejection and anti-Semitism.

This Administration has come a long way in two years in terms of understanding of the nuances involved in bringing about Israeli-Palestinian peace and a better understanding of the realities and challenges confronting Israel.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

SOURCE Anti-Defamation League

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adl-applauds-president-obamas-strong-outline-of-principles-for-us-policy-in-middle-east-supports-his-vision-for-a-two-state-solution-122245123.html

Nothing has been misrepresented, altered, or even commented on in any way by me.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

27. When do we begin the no-fly-zone over the West Bank and Gaza?

The Arab Spring are dandy...except for Palestinians.

[Jackpine Radical]

28. After the Rapture.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

34. But who's gonna fly the planes?

:evilgrin:

[Jackpine Radical]

38. Well, not the USAF, obviously.

Hindu mercenaries?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

43. .

:rofl: :thumbsup:

[Poll_Blind]

29. BUMP- Updated the main OP for the third time. Just gets crazier and crazier on Netanyahu's part..

:eyes:

Sad. He should have slept on it.

PB

[Poll_Blind]

31. And Update 4 with official response from Netanyahu, OP edited with updated....

...information.

PB

[Jester Messiah]

39. He can "expect" all he wants, but he might not want to hold his breath.

On the other hand, it would be entertaining if he did.

[DirkGently]

30. This should make for some interesting conflicts of allegiances.

:popcorn:

[Uncle Joe]

32. It's too bad that Netanyahu doesn't have the courage and wisdom of Yitzak Rabin.

Thanks for the thread, Poll_Blind.

[villager]

33. ...because he's ideologically tethered to those who murdered Rabin, precisely for that courage

n/t

[hulka38]

35. The bottom line is that Obama will not challenge Israel

in any meaningful way and hold them to it. Netanyahu says screw your bold new plan. Now what? It's laughable.

[malaise]

40. Bibi will soon be history

Watch the ride - there will be a more moderate PM

[Mr. Jefferson]

41. He probably has some issues with that "right to exist" thing.