Obama: Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of Israel

Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of Israel: Obama

US Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama said Wednesday that Jerusalem must remain the "undivided" capital of Israel in a speech to a powerful US-Israel lobby group here.

"Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided," Obama told the vast annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Council (AIPAC).

Addressing the group in almost his first act since claiming the Democratic nomination late Tuesday, Obama said he was a "true friend" of Israel and that the US bond with the Jewish state was "unbreakable."

Obama drew a standing ovation as he arrived to address the mighty US-Israel lobby, and also addressed perceived suspicion of him in some sectors of the Jewish community.

"As president I will never compromise when it comes to Israel's security," Obama said in a cavernous Washington conference center, his image emblazoned across eight massive cinema-style screens.

Obama said in the strikingly pro-Israel speech that the US bond with the Jewish state was "unbreakable today, unbreakable tomorrow, unbreakable for ever," adding he was speaking from his heart as a "true friend" of Israel.

Republicans have hammered Obama over his offer to talk to leaders of US foe Iran, saying the strategy ignores repeated warnings by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to destroy Israel.

But he said it was time to abandon Middle East policies of President George W. Bush, which he said had made Israel less safe, and accused Republican presumptive nominee John McCain of wanting to prolong them.

"There are those who would continue and intensify this failed status quo, ignoring eight years of accumulated evidence that our foreign policy is dangerously flawed," Obama said.

Obama warned Islamist movement Hamas must renounce violence, pledged to stand up for Israel's right to defend itself at the United Nations and to provide the Jewish state the means to guarantee its security.

"We must isolate Hamas unless and until they renounce terrorism, recognize Israel's right to exist, and abide by past agreements. There is no room at the negotiating table for terrorist organizations."

He said he would push for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal if elected president in November.

"Any agreement [with] the Palestinian people must preserve Israel's identity as a Jewish state," Obama said. source

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Some will have a different opinion and will express it fairly.
Some will say AIPAC runs America.
Some will say Obama is pandering to Jews.
Some will say Zionists run America.

Personally, I agree with each of Obama's statements as reported in this article.

 

and .. Some may ignore what Israel and USA candidates/Presidents say since both have no rights on occupied lands

 

JIMMY CARTER:
Well, there’s an inherent commitment in America, which I share as a Christian, of a deep commitment to make sure that Israel is safe and that Israel is free and that they can seek for peace. So there’s a strong inclination for all of us to support Israel’s continued existence in peace. And that is added onto by the very effective work of the American Israeli group called AIPAC, which is performing its completely legitimate task of convincing Americans to support the policies of the Israeli government. And AIPAC is not dedicated to peace. They’re dedicated to inducing the maximum support in America, in the White House, in the Congress and in the public media, for whatever policies the Israeli government has at a particular time. And they’re extremely effective.

 

Yes, he is correct they are not a peace movement. That does not mean they are opposed to peace, but I am sure that part of the logic escapes you.

 

I have been a little leary of Obama, but in the last week I have learned:
1. He has good plans for helping veterans.
2. He seems to be pro-Israel.
So, that's a plus. I probably will go ahead and vote in the election, but haven't decide yet whether it will be McCain or Obama.

Browntwn, do you mind if I ask you who you like the best, McCain or Obama?

 

McCain was my favorite of the Republicans, so I am pleased that he got the nomination. I am conservative on national security and most fiscal matters, but I am a social liberal. I think it is likely that the next President will get to appoint two Supreme Court Justices (replacing two of the more liberal members). After Bush has nominated two conservative Supreme Court nominees - another two by McCain would seriously alter the direction of the Court for decades (potentially the next 40 years), not to mention all the Presidential Federal Judicial appointments, all of whom all serve for life. For that reason, I would find it difficult to vote for McCain. Personally, I am very opposed to abortion, but I do not think it is the governments business. If McCain were to appoint the next two members it is almost certain the court would reverse Roe v. Wade and thus many states would outlaw abortion. While that is just one example, there are many other issues where the court has been 5-4 and I fear the type of judges McCain would appoint would turn away from decisions I agree with. At this point I think I will be voting for Obama. At the same time, while I am very pro second amendment I suspect potential Obama nominees would not be. All in all, I feel like Obama better represents the issues that are important to me. That being said, I still have serious questions about Obama and something could change my mind, but it is not likely. At the same time, I have much respect for McCain and I don't think he is some insane war monger as others do. I have faith that he would protect the nation and is a decent man. I hope you weren't expecting a one word answer.

 

Women have a choice to abstain from sex or use protection.

Aborting unborn children is repulsive

 

Repulsive to you and to many, but not to everyone.

 

Thanks Browntwn, I hadn't even considered the Supreme Court Justices, that gives me something to think about.

Abortion is repulsive, but I am still pro-choice. Personally, I don't think it is right, and I would not do it. On the other hand, I do support women who have had to make that difficult decision and would not want to force them through an unwanted pregnancy.

 

Thats what Obama meant. He understands there is no possibility in Hell that thee is going to be a Palestine. So, we move to the next step, a democratic Israel in the middle east, with the Palestinians as equal partners.

Awesome... Brilliant... I knew Obama was a Genius...

 

lol. Did you expect Obama to blast Israel infront of AIPAC? Wait untill he gets in office

 

In 1967 Al-Quds (Jerusalem) was occupied. Status of Al-Quds is important , wthout of status Al-Quds it will be hard to have peace in middle east. Al-Quds is important for Philistine country. Making this kind of speechs not helping peace.

 

I find it repulsive as well. Almost as repulsive as I find government telling people what they can and can't do with their own bodies.

 

I dont this that obama will change the politic of Usa in Midle east ..
he will follow the same strategy as followed by bush

 

What about in cases of rape or incest?

 

I agree. I wouldn't ever choose to have one, but A) the government is not here to instruct me what I can do with my own body, and B) just because I don't choose to eat a peanut butter sandwich doesn't mean everyone else should lose their right to choose peanut butter if they want to eat one.

I know we are dealing with life and not sandwiches, but....

And I personally believe we will be losing just as many lives if we ban it.

So I will not vote for anyone who wants to take my right away to make decisions about my own body.

If we are going to ban that, we might as well try to ban people who refuse blood transfusions for religious reasons. That kills people too.

If we ban that, we are going to open the door to our government banning all kinds of our personal choices, where would it end?

 

It is still repulsive, but should not be illegal. And that is just one of the reasons why it is not the governments business. Nobody has the right to tell a woman she must carry and deliver and raise the product of a rape.

 

he has changed his position and issued some clarification on the issue of Jerusalem. back to the standard approach

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06062008/news/nationalnews/baracks_sect_appeal_114198.htm

 

this position on abortion is what will bring the hillary supporters in the feminist movement to obama and away from republicans.

 

Obama is Da Man
You Americans should really vote for the guy