Friday, June 6, 2008

Barack Obama: Palestinian refugees can't return to Israel

Obama: Palestinian refugees can't return -- Jerusalem Post 1/29/08
Palestinian refugees belong in their own state and do not have a "literal" right of return to Israel, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Monday.

"The outlines of any agreement would involve ensuring that Israel remains a Jewish state," Obama told The Jerusalem Post and other members of the Jewish and Israeli press on a conference call. He reiterated his support for a two-state solution, but said, "We cannot move forward until there is some confidence that the Palestinians are able to provide the security apparatus that would prevent constant attacks against Israel from taking place." (Link)
These are statements that Obama doesn't have to make. By saying them he makes it clear that he supports a peace process (just like the President, the Israeli Prime Minister and the other candidate) but that he is not willing to roll over and concede to whatever the Palestinians want. By stating them before he gets into the office he is limiting the debate for any future peace talks he might have as a possible President. If he says it, and stands by it (as he has), there is no reason not to believe that he means it.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What makes you think that he is going to stand by it. The every next day when the Palestinians complained , he flip flopped. Thats all we need in the white house. A weak kneed lilly livered man who who changes his mind every 2 seconds. We need a man who locks his mind into certain positions in a room thats too small to even change his mind.......Avi

Lubab No More said...

Avi,

> We need a man who locks his mind into certain positions in a room thats too small to even change his mind.

That's exactly what we've had for the last 8 years. I would hate to go through that again.

Obama made this statement 6 months ago and has stood by it. There is no reason to believe he will shift on this.

Freethinking Upstart said...

We need a man who locks his mind into certain positions in a room thats too small to even change his mind.......Avi

Three cheers for close mindedness!

Do you honestly think it better to be close minded then open minded?