In AIPAC speech, Obama repeats support for Israel, peace talks

[oberliner]

United States Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama reiterated his support for Israel on Friday, while at the same time calling on the U.S. to make a concerted effort to revive the peace process.

"Our job is to rebuild the road to real peace and lasting security throughout the region," Obama said during a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Chicago. "Our job is to do more than lay out another road map."

"That effort begins with a clear and strong commitment to the security of Israel: Our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy," he added. "That will always be my starting point."

In what may have been a veiled reference to reports of American opposition to Israeli negotations with Syria, Obama said: "We should never seek to dictate what is best for the Israelis and their security interests. No Israeli prime minister should ever feel dragged to or blocked from the negotiating table by the United States."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/832668.html

[Hippo_Tron]

1. KnR for Obama

[ProudDad]

2. I don't consider anything said to AIPAC

to mean anything. I don't really care what any of them say to these yahoos...

They all have to spout the same drivel to this far-right-wing group of wackjob ideologues.

They DON'T have to follow any "promises" made to this far-right-wing group of wackjob ideologues.

The next (Dem?) prez is going to HAVE to hold the hammer over whoever happens to be the Israeli "prime minister" -- let 'em know that you like our $4 billion a year, then get your ass to the table and negotiate in good faith and tear down that fucking apartheid wall!!!

[cali]

3. That wont happen.

And it's not what should happen. What should happen is the next dem prez should be an honest broker. And that means getting both parties to negotiate in good faith. Yes, that will probably mean pressuring Israel, but it means respecting the concerns of both sides. BTW, your virulent hatred of Israel shines through brightly.

[Robson]

4. Resentment is not hatred.

Sorry.....hatred and resentment aren't the same. We're beginning to see resentment but not hatred. Actually I'm finding myself falling into the resentment category too. Olmert, Sharon, and the Likud did not help my opinion, just as Bush and his neocons haven't helped worldwide opinion of the USA. Leadership of a country can create undue animosity towards all its citizens, some deserved, some not.