Maayana Miskin published the article Obama Orders Israel to 'End the Occupation' on the Israeli News site Arutz 7. Her article looks at the comments made by the Obama Administration made To the United Nations General Assembly, following a meeting Obama had with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian National Authority Leader Mahmud Abbas. The intent of the meeting was to open lines of communication between the feuding countries, but the major topic at hand was that of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Included within Obama's comments were a candid conviction towards Israel; "End the occupation that began in 1967," and that The U.S. “does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements.” Obama believes that the ending of the settlements is a pre-condition to talks regarding a two-state solution.
The Issue of Settlements and the Israeli position has been one of much controversy and bad publicity regarding Israel, as well as an issue that has put a strain on the relationship between the United States and Israel. The areas of Judea and Samara were part of the areas conquered by Israel during the Six-day war in 1967. Since then settlements have been built in Sinai, the Gaza Strip, the West bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. The Settlements in Sinai and Gaza have been withdrawn from these areas (The Sinai in 1982 and the Gaza Strip in 2005), but the others still exist. Currently, the 2008 data from the Foundation For Middle East Peace has the settlement population of the West Bank at 285,800 (121 Settlements), and the total settlement population in all the areas combined is 484,862.
During the meeting on Tuesday, Obama demanded that Israel freeze the building of any new settlements in Judea and Samaria, a request that Israeli PM Netanyahu refuses to comply with. Netanyahu argues that the settlements are within the “national consensus” regarding towns that are expected to remain in Israeli hands permanently, making them legal. Regardless of the legality of the settlements, Obama called on Israel to make concessions towards the Palestinians and accept some of their demands. “The United States does Israel no favors when we fail to couple an unwavering commitment to its security with an insistence that Israel respect the legitimate claims and rights of the Palestinians.” Obama is placing much pressure on Israel; even Former United States ambassador to the UN John Bolton said “Obama has put Israel on the chopping block.”
Although much of the focus was put on Israeli actions, Obama still delivered a message to UN member states demanding that they “avoid vitriolic attacks on Israel and recognize Israel's legitimacy.” He also called on the Palestinian Authority to “end incitement against Israel.”
This article is a legitimate representation of the comments made by President Obama, and clearly illustrates the stance that the Obama Administration has taken in regards to settlements and their immediate immobilization. It accurately showed comments made both to Israel and members of the U.N who have a different view of the issue.
This is a dangerous time for any kinks to arise in the historically smooth functioning of cogs within the Israel-United States allegiance machine. This warning from Obama comes at a very problematic time for Israel, and puts them in precarious position. Currently Israel’s national security is being threatened by Iran’s capability of firing long-range missiles, and their overt desire to acquire Nuclear Arms. This whole situation makes me quite curious. Is an attack on Iran on the Horizon? Will Israel be the one to initiate the attack? Will it be in compliance with the U.N and the United States? Will the Obama administration support Israel no matter the case? Will he leave them hanging? Is Israel willing to agree on major political concessions in order to secure U.S support? All of these questions baffle me, and I am afraid of the answers to each. Not only am I afraid of the answers, because they all involve killing, the loss of lives, and international stability. The political ramifications of any kind of attack, and the subsequent uproar Israel would receive. The population of Israel is estimated at 6 million, and the total population of Jews in the world is 13 million. Iran’s population is nearing 68 million, with 98% of its citizens being Muslim. The Muslim population in the world is estimated to be around 1.5 billion. I cannot even begin to imagine the kind of uproar a nation like that can create. Frankly, I am very frightened. Iran scares me. Ahmadinejad scares me.
I can only hope for the best and cross my fingers that diplomacy will help avoid blood and destruction. These tensions between the U.S and Israel, and the recklessness displayed by Iran are situations we should pay attention to, I can sense that this is a precursor for tension, and shows that this issue is being closely followed by the Obama Administration and the rest of the world.
