Obama On Middle East Trip: US Must Lead By Example, Be "Honest" With Israel

In an interview with the BBC's Justin Webb, President Obama discussed his upcoming trip to the Middle East, which will include a much-anticipated speech in Cairo, Egypt.

Obama pledges in the interview that he will not try to impose American values on other countries. However, he also notes that certain values, such as "democracy, rule of law, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion" are universal, and thus fair game for other world leaders to be "encouraged" to uphold.

WATCH:

More from the BBC here.

In another interview, this one with NPR's All Things Considered host Michele Norris, Obama discussed the US approach to Israel. Obama says he believes a two-state solution is the only viable option, but that doesn't mean "we have to change strong support for Israel." From NPR:

The president also suggested that the United States' special relationship with Israel requires some tough love. "Part of being a good friend is being honest," Obama said. "And I think there have been times where we are not as honest as we should be about the fact that the current direction, the current trajectory, in the region is profoundly negative, not only for Israeli interests but also U.S. interests. And that's part of a new dialogue that I'd like to see encouraged in the region."

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Comments

[tippydog11]

Pres Obama is right and the rule goes the same with God...not when it is easy but also when it is hard...that shows ones true strength and in truth....no excuses either...easy to give to charity when our bank accounts or pockets are over flowing in abundance and only give out of our abundance..but give when it is your last two coins...Jesus ask who gave more..the one with only--- two coins ---and that is all they had or the one with the over abundance...who scarificed more and who cared more to give out pure love..

[EuroRant1]

When it comes to Israel ... you couldn't find anyone more pro-Israel than myself. That is, until I finally went 2 years ago (and have returned twice more). Houston, we have problem there.

And I challenge anyone to put their money where their mouth is and visit ... no, I don't mean go on some "religious pilgrimage with your holy blinders on" ... I mean "visit". Go, into Gaza (if possible) and the West Bank. See for yourself what is taking place. Please do not take my word for it ... close your mouth, open your mind and just visit and observe.

There are none so blind as those who will not see,
There are none so deaf as those who will not hear and
There are none so lost as those who believe everything told to them from a church pulpit.

Perhaps the best perspective about what is taking place in Israel today was put forth by Jewish British MP (Member of Parliment), Sir Gerald Kaufmann with his viewpoint on Israel as a wakeup call to the world about what took place in Gaza this past January: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2vV5qOf5YQ

[roseyjeeks]

We need health care with a public option in the USA. Yet, we are told that is something we cannot afford? The biggest stumbling block to this reform is the question; How are we going to pay for it?

The crime is we pay billions for other countries to provide this service to their citizens while WE pay and pay yet, receive bankruptcy and foreclosures due to medical crisis and their costs.

We need to rebuild the middle class in the USA and stop providing the welfare check to Israel and other wealthy countries!

[YewNeekId]

No more American treasure for Israel until a twp state solution is put in place!@

[averygard]

Only on this site could no one see this as a good sign...

[fireW]

It remains to be seen after 8 years of pure garbage whether the U.S. gov't. can manage to be honest about anything.

[petera63]

"Honest" is the diplomatic synonym of "arms-twisting".

[Realization]

Slow as things will be, it looks as if the Obama folks are on the right track. The important thing for Americans who put America first is to make sure that Israeli influence in Congress doesn't sidetrack them.

It would be nice if the media did regular shows on things like the settlements and how settlers, including radicals, act and on a range of Palestinians, including normal folks and those in the diaspora. It would also be nice to have in depth shows on the Middle East - geography, history, cultures, strategic issues. The press has oversimplified and skewed this for years. The U.S. public deserves to be better informed.

[cheo]

You are so right. Most of the American public has NO idea why the Gaza blow-up really happened, And our press still pushes the story that the rockets raining down on Israel from Gaza were unrelated to anything Israel has done....

Nor do they understand what "the Wall" has done to Palestinians, their water, neighbors, land, and to the shreds of their decimated economy.

But it is important to realize that this one-sided view of the israeli/Palestinian conflict is not limited to an ingnorant public or a biased media. This view is held by many "scholars" as well as many members of Congress. Today on CNN (Campbell Brown) legal scholar Alan Dershowitz and Rabbi Lerner of Tikkun Mag had a debate, wherein Dershowitz pressed the classic POV that Israel is the only victim here; that Palestine is always the aggressor and that nothing can go forward without first Palestine ending all aggresson. He too, despite his purported intellect, is blind to the more accurate argument that BOTH are victims and aggressors which Lerner was explaining.

[arvay]

This is pr talk.

Either we force the Israelis to stop their settlements, or they defy us, and continue to get all the US aid they need to continue their criminal policies.

[southbay]

It is beyond the time where Israel needs to face the truth. Israel is the aggressor ... it was the aggressor in 1967 ... it is still the aggressor today. Nearly every nation on Earth has told Israel to move back to the pre-'67 borders. The Israeli government insists that their god has given it the authority to chase non-Jewish people from their homes. Other people have gods, too. Why is the Israeli god running the show here?

This is a pogrom, pure and simple. This time it's the Israelis committing organized persecution of an ethnic group. I don't understand how the people who suffered under the Nazis can commit the same crimes against another religion.

Every time I read another story about one religious group, perpetrating a crime against another religious group, It strengthens my resolve to remain an atheist. The theists can continue their assault on each other; but I will remain a human, with love and compassion for my fellow man. I challenge anyone with a god to join me.

[AtheistUS]

Saying that Israel was the aggressor in 1967 is a ... let's say, a simplification.

[cheo]

It's about time we had a Prez who indicates that Israel shouldn't be in charge of our Middle East policy. Those in Congress, including Dems, who are now trembling in their shoes (in fear or anger) at the possibility of using our aid or other leverage to OMG! pressure Israel to end the settlements, should get a backbone and support the President; we might actually see some progress towards peace in the Middle East.

To pretend that Israel/Palestine is not at the very heart of violence in the Middle East and presume we can deal with Iran, Syria, Lebanon et al without attending to that center is to be sticking your head in the sand.

[petera63]

IMHO, O is being so busy giving interviews, delivering speeches, and fundraising that he has had no time left to think.

[patrickgarret]

Israel needs to be told. They are responsible for this mess.

[veritasor]

Some times a President of US has to be for USA!
We must be honest with the rogue and ourselves.
See why awful things has been done in our name.

Occupation-101
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/occupation-101/

AIPAC - The Israeli Lobby
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/aipac-the-israeli-lobby/

[PeaceIsMyName]

Why does Obama always feel the need, in what seems like every interview about Israel, to reassure that the United States is a "strong ally with Israel"? Haha
Is Israel that insecure and what does that say about the relationship? I know that I never have to constantly tell my buddies that they are indeed my buddies lol

And, isn't it impossible to be even-handed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict if you're already cheering on one side to win?
Like if I want into a court room and the judge was good friends with the person I was suing, I definitely wouldn't feel like I would get a fair ruling.

I would strongly prefer the United States to take an impartial stance to that conflict and would prefer Obama to state along with every "i promise Israel I'm your friend" with a "I promise Palestine I'm your friend too" :)

[StoicRep]

If economics dermine the ultimate solution for the area the Arbas will win, after all, they have the oil, and Israel has the Dead Sea.