President Obama’s First Remarks
on Israel & the Palestinians
(January 22, 2009)
Excerpts:
“Let me be clear: America is committed to Israel's security. And we will always support Israel's right to defend itself against legitimate threats. For years, Hamas has launched thousands of rockets at innocent Israeli citizens. No democracy can tolerate such danger to its people, nor should the international community, and neither should the Palestinian people themselves, whose interests are only set back by acts of terror.
To be a genuine party to peace, the quartet
has made it clear that Hamas must
meet clear conditions: recognize Israel's
right to exist; renounce violence; and abide
by past agreements. Going forward, the outline
for a durable cease-fire is clear: Hamas
must end its rocket fire;
Israel will complete the withdrawal of its
forces from Gaza;
the United States and our partners will support
a credible anti-smuggling and interdiction
regime, so that Hamas cannot rearm.
Yesterday I spoke to President Mubarak and
expressed my appreciation for the important
role that Egypt played in achieving a cease-fire.
And we look forward to Egypt's continued
leadership and partnership in laying a foundation
for a broader peace through a commitment
to end smuggling from within its borders.”
President Obama also added:
“Just as the terror of rocket fire aimed at innocent Israelis is intolerable, so, too, is a future without hope for the Palestinians," he then added. "Our hearts go out to Palestinian civilians who are in need of immediate food, clean water, and basic medical care.”
“It will be the policy of my administration to actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as between Israel and its Arab neighbors.”
Sources: The
Jerusalem Post, (January
22, 2009), Huffington Post,
(January
22, 2009) |