Politico to go: Israel: The Obama omissions

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President Obama’s recent Middle East speech created much controversy surrounding his call for the 1949 armistice lines (commonly called the pre-June 1967 borders) to be the starting point of any territorial negotiations.

Alongside that controversy, the President also neglected a much bigger issue, one that neither the press nor the majority of the pro-Israel community has picked up on. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined it brilliantly in his speech before Congress:

“You see, our conflict has never been about the establishment of a Palestinian state. It has always been about the existence of the Jewish state…

They continue to educate their children to hate. They continue to name public squares after terrorists. And worst of all, they continue to perpetuate the fantasy that Israel will one day be flooded by the descendants of Palestinian refugees…

My friends, this must come to an end. President Abbas must do what I have done. I stood before my people, and I told you it wasn’t easy for me, and I said… "I will accept a Palestinian state." It is time for President Abbas to stand before his people and say… "I will accept a Jewish state."

Bibi may have made that call, but President Obama hasn’t. In his Middle East address he called Israel a Jewish State…

“The dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation…. a lasting peace will involve two states for two peoples. Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland for the Jewish people, and the state of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people.”

And he also called for Hamas to recognize Israel’s right to exist, but he didn’t address the fact that both Palestinian President Abbas’ Fatah party and the Hamas party refuse to recognize Israel as the Jewish State. During his trip to England President Obama made the same omission at a joint press conference with the British Prime Minister:

“I believe that Hamas, in its own description of its agenda, has not renounced violence and has not recognized the state of Israel. And until they do, it is very difficult to expect Israelis to have a serious conversation, because ultimately they have to have confidence that a Palestinian state is one that is going to stick to its — to whatever bargain is struck.”

Recognizing Israel as a Jewish State is a larger issue than simply how to describe the country. Once Israel’s recognized as a Jewish State the demand for a Palestinian right of return within the borders of Israel is resolved.

On the other hand, the supposedly moderate Palestinian President Abbas has always refused to recognize Israel as a Jewish State. Last summer in an interview with German newsmagazine Der Spiegel he said, “We recognized the State of Israel within the 1967 borders. Whether it defines itself as a Jewish state, a Hebrew state or a Zionist state is its business. As far as I'm concerned, it can call itself what it pleases. But he cannot force me to agree with this definition.”

These omissions by President Obama in his recent speeches are no accident. If he overtly called for the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish State he would be negating the Palestinian demand for a right to return. That’s why he said the “Right of Return” is something to be left to negotiation.

“Two wrenching and emotional issues remain: the future of Jerusalem, and the fate of Palestinian refugees. But moving forward now on the basis of territory and security provides a foundation to resolve those two issues in a way that is just and fair, and that respects the rights and aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians.”

The President’s Middle East speech was called “bold” by world leaders and American leaders; however the truth is he intentionally ignored the most elementary issue in this dispute, recognizing Israel as the Jewish State. If the President does not have the courage to call for the Palestinians to make this basic acknowledgement, can he really expect the Palestinians to do it on their own? Without that recognition, none of the other issues can be resolved.