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I think the speech was corageous and upfront. it's been ages since politicians have to talked to us commoners forthright and upfront. Mr Obama does not PC his agenda against what might seem to be a "hostile" crowd.
I like the way he lays out the good and the bad and says, these are the points.. let's confront them.
Now, let's see the actions taken

Overall, Obama's speech was a ground-breaking and truly excellent presentation. My only objection is that it not all fall on Israel alone. Israel has removed settlers in the past, from Yamit in the Sinai, to removing 9,000 from Gaza, many of whom still do not have permanent housing, and hundreds from the West Bank as well. If needed it will painfully remove many again. There also has to be a serious end of violence on the other side and assurance that Israel will be fully accepted as a Jewish state entitled to live in permanent peace alongside a peaceful Palestinian state committed to mutual cooperation and reconciliation. It's possible, but only if both sides tango in harmony.

I am amazed and thrilled. This was a strong speech, articulating the specific positions of many of the different interest groups, and asserting firm leadership.

If anyone can help get Peace started in the Middle East, it will be President Obama. I don't understand all the criticism. Our President was left with a bag of lemons and he is trying to make lemonade. We should support his efforts instead of tearing him apart.

To 27 hjs

Can anyone in the US or in any territories controlled by the US, e.g., Puerto Rico, or even the Lakota Sioux country, run for office not recognizing the right of the United States to exist? Even the Communist part of the United States had a problem with that. So, yeah, any territory controlled by Israel, including Gaza, should not allow parties advocating the destruction of Israel to gain power. The Nazis cannot run in Germany either anymore.

jgarbuz
i can top that. no one can stand for elections in palestine unless they agree israel has a right to exist

To 25 Christoper Deignan

Most Israelis accepted in principle the idea of a Palestinian state alongside a Jewish state as far back as 1947. Some even before that. It was the violent NON-acceptance of a Jewish state of any size that has been the problem for the last 62 years. The Arabs even now cannot bring themselves to utter the words "Jewish state." I would propose an immediate full settlement freeze ONLY in exchange for the Muslim acceptance of the principle of a Jewish state, regardless of the final negotiated borders. Concession for concession. Tit for tat. No more one-sided concessions by Israel. That is what Netanyahu is saying.

Obama's speech has helped move US foreign policy in the Middle East towards sanity and common sense at long last. Finally, a U.S. President is calling the Israelis to account for their part in the impasse. I'm proud to be a U.S. citizen today (I'm also an Irish citizen) and excited for the possibilities his presidency presents to bring some hope to that most troubled area of the world.

jgarbuz
if they wish to stay, they should go for it. sure would solve a lot of problems.

To 22 HJS

I do not know what they want, but they should have the right to choose to remain in place or return within the Green Line. Many of them have purchased the land from Arab landowners who cannot admit to it without facing possible execution for selling land to Jews. Even Israeli civil rights group advocating for the Palestinians admit that 60% of the lands the settlers live on was purchased. So they cannot be uprooted just like that. In any case, having a Jewish minority in a democratic Palestine, just there is a substantial Arab minority in Israel, should act as a "swing vote" just as Arabs in Israel act as a "swing vote"that has often helped Labor gain power in the past.

jgarbuz
do the 280,000 Jewish settlers want to "live as citizens of Palestine?"

I have to confess, I had tears in my eyes for parts of this speech. With this guy as the public face of my country, I no longer feel compelled to apologize for being an American.

One embarrassing slip: "Islam has a long and proud tradition of pluralism and tolerance, in Andalusia and Cordoba under the Inquisition...." I presume he meant "under the Convivencia"; the Inquisition was the very opposite of pluralism and tolerance, and it started only after the Iberian peninsula was firmly under Christian control.

To 16 mkaplan

If 1.2 million Arabs can live as citizens in the State of Israel, why can't 500,000 Jews live as citizens of Palestine? Had the Arabs made peace in 1947, or 1949 or even after 1967, there would have been no settlements at all. But they said No to peace, so some Jews came to settle in ancient Hebrew lands. Now they must all be expelled? What about the 1.2 million Arabs crowding Jews out within inside Israel itself?
If Judah and Samaria must be made "judenrein" then Israel must be made Arabrein as well. If they will settle for nothing less than a total withdrawal to the 1949 Armistice lines, and removal of all Jews, then the whole Arab population of Israel must also be transferred into the Palestinian territories in exchange.

It's always about power: who has it and who doesn't. Who else remembers that King Hussein of Jordan expelled most Palestinians after they nearly overthrew him a few decades ago? As long as the Israeli government supports sending more "settlers" to Palestinian areas there will be no peace. Why would the Palestinians believe new/enlarged settlement will end? Promises have been broken over and over.

Has nothing to do with "faith." Or even religion, which I think is what we should be talking about, if it enters into the situation at all.

It is NOT a slap against France--NOR SHOULD it BE!--for them not allowing CHIDREN to wear religious clothing in school. OBAMA's speech is brilliant, and France's rule for children to know each other as people NOT religions is BRILLIANT!

I'm shocked that you would say that Brian--LOVE your show.

While I feel for the struggling Egyptian people, it seems to me that Egypt's stable, non-Democratic, iron fist government has made it possible for the Egypt/Israel peace agreement to remain in tact. Wish this weren't so. I grew up in NJ and enjoyed my freedoms.

Brilliant sppech, BUT I am worried that Pres. Obama spoke only about stopping Israeli settlement building. He did not talk about DISmantling already existing settlements. Unless most of those are dismantled, the Palestinians will be left with a Swiss-cheese like country, dotted with Israeli settlements, some of them cities! That is an UNviable situation.

peter
one question. why should all palestinians be held hostage because of the actions of a few extremists, should I lose any rights due to the actions of the terrorist who killed that doctor in kansas?

What President Obama did last night in Cairo is new beginning with Muslim countries. Last couple administrations have issolated Muslims and paint them as bad and evil. I hope with his speech last night in cairo it will enhance better relation both in Muslim living in USA and around the world. Muslim would like to see speech more in practice rather just a speech. Thank you.

This was a masterful speech and interjecting quotes from the Quran, (According to the Huffington Post, people were shouting "I love you!") took it to another level.
Did President Bush (43) ever say "Assalamu alaikum" in a speech? Anyway, despite all that, ACTIONS are what matter now..The Obama administration has to lean on both sides and get something done or all of this is just fluff..

If this is the new America, then we embrace it. Once again we can proudly say that this is America as we know it, the fair player and the balanced mediator that respects it's historical and moral obligations.

Bravo for President Obama.
Finally, an american president (other than Jimmy Carter) addresses the Palestinian injustice freely on air.
Next, AIPAC will accuse him of antisemitism.

O'Bama's speech was GREAT!! I voted for him, and now I am simply trying to figure out if O'Bama is the Messiah, a Secret Muslim, the Anti-Christ, or really a well-intentioned, idealistic man who really means what he says.

I have only two problems with his speech: (a) as usual it will be the Jews, particularly Israel, that will be asked to give up tangible assets for a 22nd Arab state to be formed within slingshot distance of Ben Gurion airport, and
(b) also a bit disappointed that he did not address the desire for statehood by the Lakota Sioux "Indians" nor of the Kurds, Baluchis and even the Tamils.

Other than that, a real great talk. Inspiring, to say the least.

A good speech overall, though perhaps not quite a sea change. The tone, however, was extraordinary considering where the Bush gang was coming from.

Troubling omission: When discussing Israel/Palestine, no invocation of international law, according to which all Israeli settlements are ILLEGAL. It's very important for this president, when relevant, to cite principles and requirements of international law on all issues.

Did I hear correctly? Did he say "we muslims"?

I wish he wouldn't pander to the judeo-christian religions - they are all BS and if people can't realize this then there is no hope for humanity.

It was a great a speach as the one george W. gave during

not a lot of meat on the bone, but his tone was better then usual, unless of course the President went on to apologize yet again for being American.

nice, "time to act on what everybody knows to be true."

Brian why don't you do a show where you stroke Obama for giving a flowery vapid speech telling everyone that we are wonderful and that god is real...or is that todays show?...do you understand that we are screwed and that he is continuing the same BS that has been going on for years...no Hope...no Change...

I felt pride in what President Obama was saying. I feel like he is saying what people in the Middle East already know about US foreign policy and what many Americans don't know about our own history. He spoke well and exhibited a knowledge of culture. He is truly cosmopolitan and I feel he speaks for me.

Let’s say for the sake of argument that 6 months from now the Palestinians have:

1. Completely ceased firing rockets.

2. Voted Hamas out of office, or convinced Hamas of the need to significantly alter their charter to no longer call for the destruction of Israel,

3. Spoke with one voice (Hamas and Fatah work it out so they actually have a recognized leader),

4. Began leveling with their people that a two-state solution means that the so called “right of return” (also known as “destroy Israel with a Trojan Horse”) will simply need to be dropped for real peace, and

5. Offered the Israelis a comprehensive peace deal (starting offer) that had real potential and requested Camp David style intensive meetings to reach this peace.

Even the right wing in Israel would be unable to stop Palestinian statehood. This problem is so utterly solvable. It doesn't even take much vision - just the courage to accept peace.

There were some major points missing from President Obama’s speech. Israel (with the backing of the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and most of the European Union) offered the Palestinians a state and peace deal back in 2000 that was so good that even Saudi Arabia urged the Palestinians to accept. The Palestinians responded with waves of suicide bombings and to this day have NEVER MADE A SINGLE PEACE OFFER BACK.

Israel and most of the world have been ready for Palestinian statehood and freedoms for some time. It is only the Palestinians who oppose and impede their own future and rights.

Let me map out what President Obama’s speech was missing.

1. Everyone knows that the Palestinians will get most of the West bank, all of Gaza, and a capital in Jerusalem, and if they act peacefully with this state, then airports and trust will follow. Water, electricity, etc. will work itself out. No one either side disputes that water and electricity are solvable issues.

2. The Right of Return is silly and will never happen. Clinging to this “Trojan Horse” strategy that Israel will holocaust itself is deeply out of touch.

3. West Bank “settlements” and private Israeli roads are silly and will largely disappear in exchange for a final peace deal. Israel would probably keep about 3-4 percent of the West Bank that adjoins Israel and give the Palestinians equal land within Israel proper in exchange.

4. Palestinians need to simply get their house in order because no Israeli government, left or right, would be able to pass up real and significant peace offers made by the Palestinians.