President Obama Questioned on Israeli Occupation

Excerpted from townhall meeting held by President Barack Obama, in Tampa, Florida; presumably, the day after his first 'State of the Union' Address. A Female Student in the audience asks the President the following question:

"Last night, in your State of the Union Address, you spoke of America's support for Human Rights. Then, why have you not condemned Israel's and Egypt's human rights violations against the occupied Palestinian people, and yet we continue to support financially with billions of dollars coming from our tax dollars?"

To which, President Obama responded:

"The middle east is obviously an issue that has plagued the region for centuries, and it's an issue that elicits a lot of passions, as you've heard.

"Here's my view. Israel is one of our strongest allies. It is a vibrant democracy. It shares links with us in all sorts of ways. It is critical for us -- and I will never waiver from insuring Israel's security, and helping them secure themselves in what is a very hostile region. So I make no apologies for that.

"What is also true is that the plight of the Palestinians is something that we have to pay attention to, because it is not good for Our security and it is not good for Israel's security, if you've got millions of individuals who feel hopeless, who don't have an opportunity to get an education, or get a job, or what have you.

"Now, the history there is long, and I don't have time to go through the grievances of both sides of the issue. What I have said, and what we did from the beginning when I came into office is to say, we are seeking a 'two state' solution, in which Israel and the Palestinians can live side by side in Peace and Security.

"In order to do that, both sides are going to have to make compromises. As a first step, the Palestinians have to unequivocally renounce violence, and recognize Israel; and Israel has to acknowledge legitimate grievances and interests of the Palestinians.

"We know what a solution COULD look like in the region, but here's the problem that we're confronting right now. ...Both in Israel and within the Palestinian territories, the politics are difficult, are divided. The Israeli government came in based on the support of a lot of folks who don't want to make a lot of concessions. I think President Netanyahu is actually making some effort to try to move a little bit further than his coalition wants him to go.

"On the other hand, President Abbas, of the Palestinian Authority, who I think genuinely wants peace, has to deal with Hamas -- an organization that has not recognized Israel, and has not disavowed violence. And so, we are working to try to strengthen the ability of both parties to sit down across the table and to begin serious negotiations.

"And I think that it's important, when we're talking about this issue, to make sure that we don't just 'knee-jerk'...use language that is inflammatory or in some fashion discourages the possibility of negotiation.

"We've got to recognize that both the Palestinian people and the Israelis have legitimate aspirations, and they can be best served if the United States is helping them 'understand' each other, as opposed to 'demonizing' each other."

See the Video Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZVO_LmsV3I


The FIRST thing that comes to mind is the lack of mention of the "cause" of the whole "Israeli/Palestinian Conflict" -- the unlawful displacement of indigenous peoples from their homes and their homeland, by a world governing (political) body, on the basis of an errant "religious interpretation". Prior to this "legal" displacement of the Palestinian people...from PALESTINE, Jews, Christians and Muslims willingly shared that region in considerable Peace.

Then, near the close of WWII, the United Nations allowed the "establishment" of a "homeland" for the "Jewish" people being evacuated/exiled from Europe. Eventually, it was decided that Palestine would be the "homeland", and that its name should be changed...to "Israel".

Since then, history has recorded a continuous effort to marginalize the Palestinian people and brutally suppress their cries and efforts for Justice.

This is why the Palestinian people find it difficult to "get along" with the "Israelis", because the Palestinian people have been made "refugees" in their own homeland, and the "Israelis" are reaping the benefits.

In short, it was a terrible injustice to the Palestinian people. Likewise, it is a perfect INSULT to the Palestinian people to continue to refer to them as "Palestinian" while denying them their rightful homeland, "Palestine". What an utter contradiction! What blatant hypocrisy!

The young African is justified in calling himself such by the existence of a place called "Africa".
The young Chinese is justified in calling himself such by the existence of a place called "China".
The young Egyptian is justified in calling himself such by the existence of a place called "Egypt".

What about the young "Palestinian"? In the eyes of the world, how is he "justified" in calling himself such when there is nowhere on the "world map" which he can point to as "Palestine"?

Was/Is that the plan? ...to deligitimize the plight of the Palestinians by erasing or removing the basis of their national identity...their Homeland? What kind of wickedness is that? What decent, self-respecting people would stand for such? What self-respecting people would so easily relinquish their national identity...their culture...their livelihoods...without offering some kind of resistance?

And what kind of discussion of this issue is even worth the effort, if it will not give honest consideration to the plight of a people who have been unjustly stripped of the bases of national pride, and personal happiness?

Well has Minister Louis Farrakhan explained that: "That nation called Israel has not had any peace in 40 years, and she will never have any peace; because there can be no peace structured on injustice, thievery, lying, murder and deceit..."

I, for one, was disappointed by the President's answer...mainly, because it seemed to be CALCULATED to be a "non-answer"...an evasion of a very serious problem for that region, for America, and for the world.

Sweeping our wrongs under the rug, in the name of "democracy", only deligitimizes democracy...and sets one up for the Chastisement of the God of Justice.

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is Just, and that His Justice will not sleep forever." -Thomas Jefferson

Why did he say this?

RM

What is "America"? And what is "America's" Problem?

Salaam (Peace) to all!

What is "America"? Is it a tangible "thing" that has existence in three-dimensional space? Can you draw a picture of "America"? Can you show someone a "piece" of America?

Here's what I think...

"America" is nothing more than an "agreed upon IDEA", by which the proponents of that Idea govern the people who accept that idea.

How does "America" compare, or measure up to, the Guidance and Will of Allah (God) for Humanity? It falls far short. The Will of Allah for Humanity is the Establishment, Restoration and Maintenance of the essential principles of LIFE: Truth, Freedom Justice and Equality...for ALL People.

However, the condition of the people who live in "America" demonstrates a gross lack of Truth (Knowledge), Freedom, Justice and Equality; as evidenced by the prevalence of aberration, oppression and suffering among the masses.

If this condition persists, the people "of America" will become more and more aberrated, will create more and more suffering for themselves and each other, and will become more and more dissatisfied with "America" and with their own existence IN "America"...which will ultimately result in the abandonment and death of "America"!

The abandonment and death of "America" will produce a severe "shock" for those who have come to depend upon "America" for their security and their future. What future is there in that which is out of the Divine Universal Order? The only future in such a condition -- if it will not be corrected -- is complete destruction and removal from existence.

Is there any way to escape or avoid such a terrible fate?

Yes. If the people can be made to recognize, appreciate and accept the Truth, as revealed by Allah (God) -- the Supreme Being -- then they can begin, and benefit from, the establishment of Truth, Freedom, Justice and Equality by God's Permission and Help, and so gain His Favor.

The question is, will/can the people of "America" accept Guidance (and a Guide) from God, change their ways, and be saved from their own self-destruction? Or, will they/we reject God's Guidance and Mercy and continue in our current direction?

If we opt for the latter, what will be the consequences?






And in that context, What is the Value of the Hon. Louis Farrakhan?



Just something to think about...

RM