In his first visit to Israel and the West Bank, President Obama stressed the need for Israelis and Palestinians to push through disagreements in order to restart peace talks. In front of an enthusiastic crowd in Jerusalem, Obama reiterated America’s support for Israel, but also asked them to examine the Palestinian situation with empathy.
Following a conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, Obama spoke in Ramallah and said the two sides need to come to the table without preconditions. The Palestinians have refused agree to come to the table until Israel halts the building of new settlements in the West Bank.
Does Obama “have Israel’s back” so to speak? Or is his administration quick to criticize Israel without laying equal pressure on Palestinian leadership? Journalists Janine Zachaira and Joel Brinkley believe American support for Israel hasn’t wavered under Obama.
Zachaira & Brinkley: Obama Really Has Israel’s Back from Commonwealth Club on FORA.tv
Wall Street Journal columnist Bret Stephens told an audience at the American Jewish Committee that Obama misjudges the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians, especially in terms of criticizing Israeli policy in the occupied West Bank.
Stephens: Obama Misjudges Palestinian, Israeli Dispute from AJC on FORA.tv
