Natalie Gonnella
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President Obama yesterday "hit the reset" button on US Middle East policy, but in doing so endorsed significant concessions on the part of Israel, drawing strong criticism from Republican politicians and pundits alike.
In calling for a return to pre-1967 borders, the President appeared to publicly "throw Israel under the bus," once again undermining their position in future negotiations. As George Will said in a post for ABC News:
Obama should have said nothing about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, his prior statements (about Israel housing construction, and a deadline for a peace settlement) having made matters worse. Obama's idea--Israel's, too--is "two states for two people." Now, there is nothing more to be said until a Palestinian leader also says that. Obama's dilation on the 1967 borders makes matters worse: Borders are what negotiations are supposed to be about, not what is to be stipulated before negotiations
And despite the fact that the President has outlined significant demands of the Israeli government, he failed to also adequately address key concerns related to the Palestinian leadership and (as Majority Leader Eric Cantor noted) "their unhelpful game of sidestepping negotiations and failing to put an end to terrorism," a substantial worry considering the US is still providing aid to the Palestinian Authority (another issue Obama overlooked in his speech).
Since assuming office in January, GOP freshman have offered bold support for the state of Israel. And although Republicans welcomed the President's new found commitment to democracy and human rights within the Middle East, many have condemned yesterday's remarks for endorsing major Israeli concessions while failing to amply address concerns stemming from the policies of the Palestinian leadership.
With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set to meet with President Obama today and a joint session of Congress next week, here's a look at what several Republican freshman had to say in response to the President's remarks:
Senator Roy Blunt commented via Twitter:
@RoyBlunt: Very concerned President believes unilateral concessions by Israel, including redefining its borders = pathway to peace. Doesn’t make sense.
@RoyBlunt: Supporting free peoples has always guided our foreign policy. Unfortunately Pres Obama has been unsteady in advocating these principles.
Congressman Allen West offered his views via his congressional website:
Today's endorsement by President Barack Obama of the creation of a Hamas-led Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, signals the most egregious foreign policy decision his administration has made to date, and could be the beginning of the end as we know it for the Jewish state…
...Make no mistake, there has always been a Nation of Israel and Jerusalem has been and must always be recognized as its rightful capital. It's time for the American people to stand by our strongest ally, the Jewish State of Israel, and reject this foreign policy blunder of epic proportions.
Commenting via Facebook, Congressman Robert Dold said:
Regarding President Obama's remarks today about the Middle East, it is not for the U.S. or any other outside entity to declare the terms and draw the boundaries for future Israeli and Palestinian states. Just as Israel's security must not be compromised, so too must its sovereignty as an independent nation be protected.
Also responding by way of Twitter, Senator Mike Lee tweeted:
@SenMikeLee: I condemn in the strongest possible terms the President's irresponsible suggestion that Israel return to its pre-1967 borders. #utpol
In a statement on his website, Senator Pat Toomey stressed that:
The president’s reference to pre-1967 borders as the basis for peace undermines our ally Israel’s negotiating position, demonstrates insensitivity to the security threats Israel faces on a daily basis and ignores the historical context that has shaped the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for more than 60 years...After 60 years of defending itself against aggression and brutal acts of terror, Israel deserves the right, at the very least, to maintain borders that will ensure its security.
Posting his response via Facebook, Congressman Joe Walsh commented:
This speech is another example of President Obama throwing our allies to the wolves in a vain attempt to appease our enemies. The President needs to make it clear that there will be no chance for peace unless Palestinian leadership distances itself from terrorism and recognizes Israel’s right to exist. Once more, Obama failed to demonstrate to the Palestinian people and to the rest of the world that the United States stands with Israel, and that we will only support a peace that is negotiated in good faith by both parties.
Senator Dan Coats said of the speech:
I strongly question the president’s timing in announcing this significant policy shift as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu arrives to meet with the administration and address Congress...President Obama’s support for a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders seriously harms prospects for successful negotiations and a peaceful region.
Referring to Obama's demands of Israel as "unbelievable" on Twitter, Governor Rick Perry added in a statement that:
President Obama's speech today continues a misguided policy of alienating our traditional allies, in this case Israel, one of our strongest partners in the war on terror. As someone who has visited Israel numerous times, I know that it is impracticable to revert to the 1967 lines. President Obama is asking our Israeli friends to give up too much security and territory as a prelude to a renewed peace process.
Congressman Jeb Hensarling commented that:
I’m pleased to hear the President articulate the United States’ longstanding support for the democratic rights of all people, especially those currently risking so much for democratic reform in the midst of the ongoing ’Arab Spring.’ However, calling on our ally Israel to reinstate its 1967 borders is a deeply wrong-minded approach that ignores the obvious reality beneath the problems that persist in that conflict—namely the Palestinian Authority’s dangerous alignment with Hamas.
Possible 2012 candidate Michele Bachmann challenged President Obama to "reverse course":
I am calling on President Obama to reverse course and clearly renounce the position which he spelled out today. This is an insult to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the day before the Prime Minister is scheduled to come to the United States. President Obama’s remarks are clearly in opposition to the position that Israel has taken in regards to its own borders. These remarks do not reflect the will of the constituents in my district, nor do I believe that they represent the will of the majority of the American people.
America has stood with Israel since President Harry Truman recognized Israel a mere 11 minutes after Israel became a state in 1948. But during his tenure as President of the United States, President Obama has initiated a policy which shows contempt for Israel’s concern and safety.
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