June 4, 2009
Posted: June 4th, 2009 03:10 PM ET

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Join the conversation on Jack's blog.

In reaching out to the world’s one and a half billion Muslims with today's historic speech, it's unclear if President Obama is also pushing away America's longtime ally Israel.

Speaking in Cairo - the president recognized the U.S.'s unbreakable bond with the Jewish state and the horror of the Holocaust, but also talked about the suffering of the Palestinian people. He described their situation as intolerable and stressed the need for a two-state solution.

President Obama called on Palestinians to abandon violence - pointing to America's own civil rights history and saying it was a "peaceful and determined insistence" that brought about equal rights.

And, he once again called on Israel to stop building settlements; and to allow Palestinians to live and work and develop their society. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already rejected President Obama's call for a settlement freeze.

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Filed under: Cafferty File


Mich   June 4th, 2009 4:37 pm ET

Look out Isreal this man isn't on your side. He will sell you out quickly. And when you are forced to deffend your country, and you look towards the US for help I'm sorry to Isreal I think you will only here the sounds of silence.

Bill, Bloominton IL   June 4th, 2009 4:37 pm ET

The last time we trusted Muslims was on 9/10/2001. This president is putting all of us in harms way.

Kelly   June 4th, 2009 4:35 pm ET

If Israel is 'pushed away' by the speech that President Obama made in Cairo, then what Israel wants is unconditional support from the US, and we simply cannot give them that. That speech was balanced and clear and made infinite sense. The plight of the Palestinians must be addressed as well as the Israelis. And the President made very clear his support for and empathy with the people of Israel. He is simply saying that such support and empathy cannot and must not include disregard for another people as well. The speech was extraordinary. What made it so special to me was not it's soaring poetry and rhetoric, which we all know our President can deliver. It was the intelligence, compassion and sober sense of the content that I found impressive. And yes, President Obama does have the Audacity of Hope. It is audacious to make such statements in today's world. And if someone doesn't do it, we'll only go downhill from here. I applaud him and his efforts and stand ready to help however I can.

Haris Siddiqui   June 4th, 2009 4:32 pm ET

Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank is accelerating in a manner not witnessed since 2003 and with little government oversight, according to Yesh Din, an Israeli human rights group. What would have our president do, worry about offending an Ally or standing up for the rights of Palestinian against Settlements considered Illegal by UN standards.

Just as Denouncing Hamas is a key element towards the peace process, stopping the continues growth of these Settlements is at the heart of this conflict. President Obama is taking a realistic position that may offend some parties but that is the price we will have to pay.

As an American Muslim, his speech was exactly every thing any extremist would fear. No weapon can ever be as strong as the words utter by leaders of any community or nation and it is often worlds that translate into action. This is truely a day to remember and day that will take us a step forward. Kudos to the President & Amen to every word he uttered.

frank tx   June 4th, 2009 4:32 pm ET

I Agree our friendly isreali lobby got us in this mess ,I say good riddence to this lobby.

Sal   June 4th, 2009 4:31 pm ET

American president should be able to talk straight to Israel and American president must consider whats in the interest of America, and it is in the interest of both Israel and America to have good relations with the Muslim world.

Adele   June 4th, 2009 4:31 pm ET

It is time for Israel to respect UN resolutions and withdraw from the West Bank. Our taxes should not continue to pay indefinitely to support this country's militaristic and expansionist fallacies.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   June 4th, 2009 4:28 pm ET

The relationship between us and Israel will always be a close one. I don't see how extending a hand of solidarity to the Palestinians can be hurtful to our alliance with Israel.

Lisa   June 4th, 2009 4:25 pm ET

Obama is taking no sides, he wants peace on both sides! We love you Obama. Wonderful, wonderful speech. It's my favorite one!!!!!!!!!!!!! You hit it right on the nail.

Lawrence in Honduras   June 4th, 2009 4:24 pm ET

Ed Rollins said about the Settlement issue "It is like taking the suburbs of Atlanta and returning them to south Georgia, he's Wrong... It is like Mexico building in Texas and saying It ours because our Country is too small. Give me a break.

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