Is Obama's speech a turning point in Israeli American relations?
| 10:18 UK time, Friday, 20 May 2011
This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 20 May, 2011. Listen to the programme.
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"Let's get started on a conversation about territory, and about security". President Obama's words from a speech directed at Israelis and Palestinians where he's endorsing a Palestinian state based on the pre 1967 borders, but with some "mutually agreed swaps"
President Obama said,
"The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state."
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Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu immediately rejected his comments saying those borders, which existed before the 1967 Middle East war, were "indefensible".
to explain the borders issue.
It will make for as President Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu hold talks at the White House later.
The leading - if undeclared - Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney has criticised the speech saying,
"President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus. He has disrespected Israel and undermined its ability to negotiate peace. He has also violated a first principle of American foreign policy, which is to stand firm by our friends."
What does Obama's stand achieve? Asks the 91Èȱ¬'s North America Editor Mark Mardell
The 91Èȱ¬'s diplomtic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says
"Israel has one list of settlement blocs that it wants to retain; the Palestinians not surprisingly, have a more limited list of the settlements that they are prepared to see incorporated into Israel in return for territory elsewhere."
In September the according to its 1967 borders. It's thought this speech is the start of a push by the US to get support for the vote.
According to
"September is expected to be pivotal for several reasons. Last September, U.S. President Barack Obama told the General Assembly that he wished to see a Palestinian state become a member of the UN within a year."
says it turning point in the relationship between Israel and the US.
We'll be speaking to a group of Israelis about their reaction to Obama's speech
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