Obama at UN: Israel should extend settlement freeze

[azurnoir]

United States President Barack Obama called on Israel to extend its moratorium on settlement building while speaking at a United Nations meeting on Thursday.

<snip>

He called on Arab states to support the Palestinians within the framework of the peace talks and move toward normalizing relations with Israel.

"Many in this hall count themselves as friends of the Palestinians," Obama said. "But these pledges must now be supported by deeds."

"We can waste more time by carrying forward an argument that will not help a single Israeli or Palestinian child achieve a better life. We can do that," he said.

"Or, we can say that this time will be different - that this time we will not let terror, or turbulence, or posturing, or petty politics stand in the way."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/obama-at-un-israel-should-extend-settlement-freeze-1.315315

[oberliner]

1. Transcript of Obama’s Remarks to the U.N. General Assembly

The actual remarks in their entirety can be found here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/us/politics/24obama-text.html?pagewanted=all

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. Sadly, he failed to point out that massacreing Palestinian civilians isn't "self-defense."

[oberliner]

3. What did you think of Obama's speech and his overall approach to the peace process? nt

[Ken Burch]

4. As always, he means well, but he's too fixated on looking "centrist"

It's hard to see if there IS a middle ground on the I/P issue.

[Shaktimaan]

6. really?

You don't think there's a middle ground? One doesn't have to pick a narrative to support a just resolution.

[Shaktimaan]

5. well, of course.

He also neglected to point out that firing rockets at civilians is not self-defense. So what?

Had he said what you're suggesting do you honestly think it would serve to further the goal of keeping peace talks going?