March 20, 2013, President Obama along with Secretary of State John Kerry visited the Middle East.
First stop Israel a first for Obama as President as the United States. He was greeted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres .
The reason for the visit to further strengthen his relationship with the Prime Minister and reaffirm his commitment to Israel, to address the U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, and of course to encourage Israel and Palestinian to work on agreement to co-exist peacefully.
President Obama reasserted that the United States is committed to the security of Israel. He stated that the country has the right to defend itself, but that Palestine also has the right to exist.
President Obama spoke to the Israeli people from the Jerusalem International Convention Center where he reiterated that the bond between Israel and the United States is unbreakable. “Israel is already a center for innovation that helps power the global economy,” he said. “And I believe that all of that potential for prosperity can be enhanced with greater security, enhanced with lasting peace.” The leaders also discussed extending military assistance to Israel for an additional 10 years after the present agreement expires in 2017.
Other matters of business included neighboring Syria and its ongoing Civil war, including un-confirmed reports of the use of Chemical Weapons. The president stated that if true, it is a “game-changer.” Referring the current limited involvement of the Unites States in the conflict.
On the second leg of his trip, President Obama returned to the West Bank for the first time since the beginning of his presidency. He met with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Fayyad and President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. The president commended President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad for the progress they have made working together to build institutions of a Palestinian State and stated that the U.S. is deeply committed to the creation of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine.
President Obama said in a joint press conference with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority and Prime Minister Fayyad that “Like people everywhere, Palestinians deserve a future of hope -- that their rights will be respected, that tomorrow will be better than today and that they can give their children a life of dignity and opportunity. Put simply, Palestinians deserve a state of their own. In the interests of the Palestinian people, and also in the national security interest of Israel, the United States, and the world."
President Obama stated that “that the United States remains committed to realizing the vision of two states.”
First stop Israel a first for Obama as President as the United States. He was greeted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres .
The reason for the visit to further strengthen his relationship with the Prime Minister and reaffirm his commitment to Israel, to address the U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, and of course to encourage Israel and Palestinian to work on agreement to co-exist peacefully.
President Obama reasserted that the United States is committed to the security of Israel. He stated that the country has the right to defend itself, but that Palestine also has the right to exist.
President Obama spoke to the Israeli people from the Jerusalem International Convention Center where he reiterated that the bond between Israel and the United States is unbreakable. “Israel is already a center for innovation that helps power the global economy,” he said. “And I believe that all of that potential for prosperity can be enhanced with greater security, enhanced with lasting peace.” The leaders also discussed extending military assistance to Israel for an additional 10 years after the present agreement expires in 2017.
Other matters of business included neighboring Syria and its ongoing Civil war, including un-confirmed reports of the use of Chemical Weapons. The president stated that if true, it is a “game-changer.” Referring the current limited involvement of the Unites States in the conflict.
On the second leg of his trip, President Obama returned to the West Bank for the first time since the beginning of his presidency. He met with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Fayyad and President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. The president commended President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad for the progress they have made working together to build institutions of a Palestinian State and stated that the U.S. is deeply committed to the creation of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine.
President Obama said in a joint press conference with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority and Prime Minister Fayyad that “Like people everywhere, Palestinians deserve a future of hope -- that their rights will be respected, that tomorrow will be better than today and that they can give their children a life of dignity and opportunity. Put simply, Palestinians deserve a state of their own. In the interests of the Palestinian people, and also in the national security interest of Israel, the United States, and the world."
President Obama stated that “that the United States remains committed to realizing the vision of two states.”
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