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Posted on 07/27/2014 2:33:18 PM PDT by SJackson
WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Obama told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he wants an “immediate, unconditional humanitarian” cease-fire in the war with Gaza, based on a process Israel has made clear it opposes.
The statement Sunday afternoon from the White House describing a phone call between the two leaders referred to cease-fire talks led in recent days by Secretary of State John Kerry which culminated in a proposal rejected unanimously on Friday by Israel’s security Cabinet.
“Building on Secretary Kerry’s efforts, the president made clear the strategic imperative of instituting an immediate, unconditional humanitarian cease-fire that ends hostilities now and leads to a permanent cessation of hostilities based on the November 2012 ceasefire agreement,” the statement said.
Israeli leaders rejected Kerry’s proposal in part because it envisions talks with Hamas toward ends that Israel believes would reward a group it rejects as illegitimate, including opening borders.
Additionally, Israel wants any cease-fire to allow Israeli troops to continue tracking and destroying tunnels from the Gaza Strip into Israel, which Israel says were in place to facilitate a massive terrorist attack on Israeli communities.
Obama in his statement addressed some of the Israeli concerns, which were not made explicit in drafts of Kerry’s proposal leaked to media over the weekend.
“The president underscored the United States’ strong condemnation of Hamas’ rocket and tunnel attacks against Israel and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself,” the statement said. “The president also reiterated the United States’ serious and growing concern about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and the loss of Israeli lives, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
The statement from Obama also nodded to another Israeli demand, that Gaza be demilitarized, although it suggested this was a long-term goal.
“The President stressed the U.S. view that, ultimately, any lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must ensure the disarmament of terrorist groups and the demilitarization of Gaza,” it said.
So far the conflict launched July 8 has killed more than 1,020 Palestinians, most of them civilians, and 43 Israeli soldiers and three civilians in Israel.
The article is citing a White House press release. I agree it is horrible behavior.
It's more the diplomatic cover that the US gives Israel via the veto that comes with its permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Without that, the UN could impose economic sanctions a la Apartheid-era South Africa* and presumably cripple Israel's economy.
[*I am NOT calling Israel an Apartheid state. The dictators and Muslims at the UN hate Israel for existing; all else is pretext.]
The statement Sunday afternoon from the White House describing a phone call between the two leaders referred to cease-fire talks led in recent days by Secretary of State John Kerry which culminated in a proposal rejected unanimously on Friday by Israel’s security Cabinet.
This be just da Bamster puttin' down markers for his Homies. It's nuthin' to get 'cited about, Bibi!
Smell the Hussein in the other
If he has it, it would be a good time for Netanyahu to leak some dirt on the shi* head.
If I am not mistaken that was the Dali Lama, who was sent out the back door of the WH so as not to anger China.
I really believe in my heart and mind that you are absolutely correct..! I feel certain that America is just waiting for someone to grab that POS by his skinny neck punch him RIGHT IN THE NOSE...!
WOW...talk about a HERO...!
Did Obama demand from Hama the same ceasefire? “I want it now!!!!”
Hey 0b0z0 - Thribbit!!!!
I hope Netanyahu gave him some creative suggestions for self amusement.
I do however recall during a meeting with Bibi at the WH, Obama telling him, to get it settled while he went to dinner with his family.
Any day with a Lord Humongous reference is a good day...
Strangely, because it has taken more than half a century to come to fruition, but Israel seems to be winning the backing of the world’s people as compared to the Palestinians.
I know it’s not unanimous, and there will be some exceptions, but it is encouraging to see signs of grasping the Israeli vs Palestinian reality.
The USA did not achieve TOTAL VICTORY IN WWII.
The ISLAMONAZIS remain undefeated.
Our CORRUPT politicians in DC from BOTH parties are allied with them.
The "Press" is a ludicrous joke.
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