Israel's Prime Minister Speaks to Obama in the Oval Office
By debrakcarey
@debrakcarey (19887)
United States
4 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
21 May 11
Netanyahu did a great job, but what did Obama have to say is what I want to know. When Netanyahu said they can't go back to the 1967 borders because it will leave Israel defenseless, he is right. Israel needs to keep what little she has now to defend herself...
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 May 11
The co founder of Hamas admitted Wednesday that this 'truce' is just a prelude to war, the ultimate goal of which is STILL Israel's destruction. Does Obama not listen? Does he really believe Hamas will LISTEN?
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
21 May 11
Well...You and I know this, I just was curious as to what Obama had to say, because Netanyahu was very clear and truthful in what he said and only one who is blind and deaf won't see it..
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 May 11
I haven't found his response, I suppose we'll hear it soon. I wish the video had included his thoughts as well, like you do.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
21 May 11
I heard several commentators say while there was mutual respect between PM Netanyahu and President Obama there was "little warmth". I tend to agree with that assessment. I have to say, having watched most of the exchange on live TV, both men acted like "true statesmen with intellect and poise" despite not being in total agreement.
I think President Obama is getting a bit of a raw deal from the right on this issue. While he did speak of going back to the 1967 borders his FIRST priority is for the Palestinians to accept and recognize Israel's right to exist. Without that, there will be no deal. From what I've heard and read and from things I've heard from Jewish Americans with ties to Israel, many of the Israeli citizens are willing to accept the 1967 borders. This is nothing new at all from the United States since both President Clinton and President Bush had proposed the same thing.
Annie
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
21 May 11
I guess I'm a bit confused, Deb; the following is from the article you linked to:
"Hamas co-founder Mahmoud Zahar on Wednesday told the Maan news agency Hamas would never recognize Israel.
Saying Hamas would accept a PA state based on the "1967 borders," Zahar made it clear a peace accord would only serve as a prelude to Israel's destruction."
According to President Obama's own words, that means it's a non-starter. The U.S. has been trying off and on for decades to broker some sort of peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. It can't be totally one-sided or it wouldn't be much of an agreement, would it? I'm really not sure what the right wants here other than their determination to attack our current President even if he says and does pretty much the same thing as his predecessor, which was perfectly fine back then.
Annie
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
22 May 11
The President is aware what Hamas has said in it's press releases. At least he should be.
What does the right want? In this situation, recognition from the Arabs in the mid east that Israel has a right to exist. That is the starting point for all the rest. As Netyanyahu said Israel should not be expected to give land within her borders to a people led by terrorists who have promised to destroy Israel.
You are right, it can't be one sided. How can you negotiate with an ideology that calls for your destruction as a routine matter? How can you believe a representative of a people who's prophet said it's ok to lie to the infidel? And there are no innocent people outside of Islam?
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 May 11
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/144085
From Israel's news, Hamas will never recognize Israel's right to exist. Netanyahu understands how terrorist think. Obama thinks he can make nice with them and they will fall down at his feet.
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/267335/american-taxpayers-shouldnt-fund-terrorist-run-governments-jordan-sekulow
Personally, I feel he's betrayed Israel already by even nodding in Hamas's direction.
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
21 May 11
I think Netanyahu is right and 0bummo is way out of his league. After all, he is still in on the job training, after being a community agitator for most of his life... so he has no clue of the realities of the world... as some other posters also do not as well.
0bummo would do well to take care of issues at home and leave Israel alone. They don't need or want his advice, thoughts, or interference.
Anyone who thinks Israel should return to pre 1967 borders is ignorant and delusional... and should really keep their opinions to themselves.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 May 11
http://samsonblinded.org/blog/netanyahu-obama-the-end.htm
blog by a former Israeli government official.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 May 11
Apparently he felt that schooling Obama in public was the only way that he could get his message across without it being twisted and trivialized. I agree with him if that's what he was thinking.
Anyone who thinks it's feasible for Israel to go back to 1967 borders and survive is a fool, an anti-Semite or both. The prime minister is fighting for Israel's very survival and I'm with him all the way. If we lose Israel, we lose the world. I don't understand Obama's hostility to Israel.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 May 11
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/144085
Hamas has promised that they will NOT agree to Israel's right to exist. Acknowledging Hamas as a legitimate player in this is NOT they way to acheive any kind of agreement. To go back to the 1967 borders is the same as telling the US to give land back to the Native Americans! Israel was ATTACKED and then won against the entire Arab world, they WON and gained territory. America WASN'T attacked by the Natives of America and still took their land. Same with the land we got in the war with Mexico, if Israel is told to give back land they won in a fair fight NOT of their making, America needs to give back land they got.It's the same principle and Obama nor the world has the right to tell Israel they should do this.
Sorry, rant over. 
