re: #336 califleftyb

I want to add a clarification as the why the Obama speech is such a game changer. I think that Charles and others believe that it has ALWAYS been the US position - and that President Obama’s is just reiterating it - that the US supports an Israeli withdrawal back to the pre-1967 borders with adjustments, and thus Pres. Obama’s statement is no change at all and thus there has been an over-reaction. But this is NOT TRUE! The US position from President Johnson through Pres. GW Bush is that the final borders be based on “defensible borders”. The US has NEVER used the pre-1967 borders as a framework, in fact it has been an evolving Israeli position that has moved it closer to this concept, but nevertheless the US has held that final borders need to be negotiated between the two parties. Thus for President Obama to now endorse what is basically the “Saudi plan” has taken the legs out from Israel to negotiate a settlement as it sees fit that meets it’s security arrangements, as the Saudi Plan was a non-starter for Israel.

From President George W. Bush’s 2008 address:

abcnews.go.com

As we make progress toward security, Israel forces need to withdraw fully to positions they held prior to Sept. 28, 2000. And consistent with the recommendations of the Mitchell committee, Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories must stop.

…

I’ve asked Secretary Powell to work intensively with Middle Eastern and international leaders to realize the vision of a Palestinian state, focusing them on a comprehensive plan to support Palestinian reform and institution building.

Ultimately, Israelis and Palestinians must address the core issues that divide them if there is to be a real peace, resolving all claims and ending the conflict between them.

This means that the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 will be ended through a settlement negotiated between the parties, based on U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338, with Israeli withdrawal to secure and recognized borders.

We must also resolve questions concerning Jerusalem, the plight and future of Palestinian refugees, and a final peace between Israel and Lebanon and Israel and a Syria that supports peace and fights terror.