(CNN)–House Republican leader John Boehner on Thursday praised the tone of President Obama's address in Cairo but slammed the president's remarks on Israel and Palestine, and on engagement with Iran.
"I think the president delivered a thoughtful and optimistic speech, but I do have some concerns about some things that were mentioned in the speech," he said.
Boehner said he was concerned the president seemed to "place equal blame on the Israelis and the Palestinians."
"The Israelis have the right to defend themselves," he said "....Because Hamas is a terrorist organization, they have been funded by the Syrians and the Iranians, and I just don't think the Israelis deserve to be put into the same playpen with terrorists."
Obama's comments about Iran were a mistake, Boehner said.
"His point about Iran, where he continues to say that he will sit down with the Iranians without any preconditions - I just think that puts us in a position where America looks weak in the eyes of their rulers," Boehner said. "And given the outrageous statements that their leaders have made, I don't know how we can continue to say that we'll sit down and talk to them without some, without conditions. I think it makes America look weak."
Boehner also criticized the president for saying he wanted to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility "without having a plan in place for what to do with those detainees that are there."
–CNN's Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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Oh, come on, you GOP'ers. Get behind our president. You are sore losers with no ideas. What a bunch of sour old numbskulls.
Maybe the better solution would be to let them deal with their own problems and not try to negotiate any deal.
That's exactly why there hasn't been any improvement over the years one sided thinking. Hamas has been voted into the government the Israel will have to work with them if it is ever going to be at peace.
It's not sign of weakness to talk we tried not talking and what happen North Korea has nuclear bomb and Iran will soon have one if we don't engage.
LOL. The GOP really doesn't understand the state of the country today. You'd have figured the beating they took in 2006 and 2008 would have clued them in. Apparently not. The days of "we're comin to get ya terrists!" are long over. It's time to move on.
Israelis are no saints. Why is it a crime to criticize Israel???
John "Bonehead" is beginning to sound like a broken record. John, I must remind you bitter and sweet water can not come out the same faucet, you constantly criticize with no merit and then turn around and try to pretend you are for him. Go lay an egg!
And what is your plan Boehner? What are you offering or doing to address these issues? (Nothing!!!)
Everybody is trying to move away from blame game and try to reach a real solution.
GOP continues it's arrow blame game view.
Limbaugh, Boehner, Osama and Iran's dictators have one thing in common, they did not like the message of solution. They like status quo.
I think a perfect example of the difference between the former Republican policy and the new Obama policy is realism and an attempt to treat everyone like adults. The statement from Mr. Boehner about putting Israelis and Palestinians "into the same playpen" is symptomatic of the Republican view of how the US should treat other nations.
Since Boehner doesn't have to worry about wars and violence, and can sit back in his easy chair and Monday morning quarterback, who cares? This man is going to disagree with the president no matter what he does. NEWSFLASH: WE DON'T CARE.
This House Republican leader John Boehner is trippn. If what it takes to achieve world peace is for America to talk to its enemies without pre-conditions... then so be it..
U don't go to dialogue bragging about being strong and intimidation....
with the kind of reasoning this guy has, he can't go so far.....
i wonder how u were elected in the 1st place
All the GOP people see is negative..... u guys cant out grow petty politics and be constructive...!
Shame on u
Does anyone really care what John Boehner has to say anymore?
Reading John Boehner's critque of Obama's speech in regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict leads me to conclude that he really knows very little of the history of the conflict and area. Which, I guess, is not too surprising for a Republican politician on most any subject.
JOHN BOEHNOR!!!!
You are so out of your league pleeeeeeeeeease go back to Ohio and crawl under some rock from whence you came, I am so ashamed to say I was born in the state of Ohio whenever I have to look at you or hear you speak or read your garbage. You do us such a disservice.
You have no coherent message when ever you say anything and the majority of the people don't listen to you, how you ever got elected is beyond me!!!
All I ever hear from this guy is complaints and no solutions. Give it a rest already.
Oh, Bonehead . . . your horn's are showing! Could you do any better? I think not! So, it would be wise if you could keep quiet or go away and let President Obama go about cleaning up the last administrations mess, while starting a new chapter in history . We tried it Bush & Cheney's way and where did it get us?? I think we all know the answer to that!
Boehner also criticized the president for saying he wanted to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility "without having a plan in place for what to do with those detainees that are there."
Not having a plan in place for afterwards was good enough for Boehner to OK invading Iraq - it should be good enough for him now.
This is why i quit the republican party after 40 years. The fanatics on both ends of the spectrum are equally guilty. Religous nuts in Israel keep building settlements and Hamas wants to throw all Israelis into the ocean. All the republicans can come up with is the same old slogans that have not worked for the last 50 years.
Yeah, and the pres says Iran has the right to have nuclear enegery while he is telling us that we have to have wind turbines, solar power, etc.! He is going to arm all the rogue nations against us and he's off to a good start!
Typical Republican sour grapes. Obama is so clearly right. As usual, Boehner can't accept reality. He seems to have missed the entire point of the speech. Is he really that thick.
Shut up Bohn-er. You're an idiot and the leader of the party of "NO." How many times have you been to Israel? Me? I've been more than I can count on both hands...they are not as "innocent" as they want us to believe. Both sides are to blame and should share responsibility. A two-state solution is the ONLY one. That means Israel needs to stop settlements and the Palestinians need to reign in the terrorist cells.
Wake up John. The Israelis do share blame for the situation. They have tapped into most of the water supply from the Palestinian side and therefore cannot relinquish any land or they would face a water shortage. They have continued to build settlements on Palestinian land and thumb their nose to the rest of the world telling them to stop.
The Palestinians also share blame for the situation but this Israel can do no wrong attitude will ensure that the situation never changes. But then maybe that's what you want.
Question:
WHEN has a leader named "Hussein" ever advocated for Israeli sovereignty and the right of self-dense?
Anwer:
Never
This from the party of 100% failed foreign policy.
John Boehner doesn't get international diplomacy. Republicans in general don't really get it, actually.