CAIRO, Egypt -- President Barack Obama waded into the heart of the Middle East conflict Thursday by forcefully reiterating his support for a Palestinian state and admonishing the Arab world to pursue peace with Israel as he made his long-awaited appeal to mend the rift between America and the Muslim world.
In a wide-ranging speech before students at Cairo University that celebrated the common values of the two cultures, Mr. Obama called for a "new beginning" in the relationship.
"I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear," he said to repeated applause in the ornate-domed Great Hall. "But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. "
Most notable in the hourlong address was Mr. Obama's reiteration of his support of a state for Palestine, and his rejection of continued construction by Israel of new settlements on disputed land. The policy puts him in direct conflict with the new government in Israel, led by Benjamin Netanyahu. The president also demanded that Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, recognize Israel and renounce violence.
"Palestinians must abandon violence....At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's," said Mr. Obama.
The speech was short on new policy prescriptions to address entrenched disputes. Translated into several languages, it drew swift reaction and intense interest throughout the region. After the speech, Mr. Obama flew to Europe, where he will visit a concentration camp in Germany on Friday and attend D-Day festivities in France on Saturday.
.for further details look into to : http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124409999530984503.html
In a wide-ranging speech before students at Cairo University that celebrated the common values of the two cultures, Mr. Obama called for a "new beginning" in the relationship.
"I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear," he said to repeated applause in the ornate-domed Great Hall. "But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. "
Most notable in the hourlong address was Mr. Obama's reiteration of his support of a state for Palestine, and his rejection of continued construction by Israel of new settlements on disputed land. The policy puts him in direct conflict with the new government in Israel, led by Benjamin Netanyahu. The president also demanded that Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, recognize Israel and renounce violence.
"Palestinians must abandon violence....At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's," said Mr. Obama.
The speech was short on new policy prescriptions to address entrenched disputes. Translated into several languages, it drew swift reaction and intense interest throughout the region. After the speech, Mr. Obama flew to Europe, where he will visit a concentration camp in Germany on Friday and attend D-Day festivities in France on Saturday.
.for further details look into to : http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124409999530984503.html
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