[Guardian Unlimited, U.K.]

 

 

Liberation, France

Will Obama Bring Modern Miracle to the Promised Land?

 

"For Arabs and Palestinians in particular, the United States is not a neutral arbiter, but an ally of one of the parties to the conflict. … We must put an end to the policy of double standards, even when they are in the interests of allies in Israel."

 

By François Sergent

 

Translated By Elise Nussbaum

 

May 20, 2009

 

France - Liberation - Original Article (French)

Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas: More than most Arab leaders, he and the people he leads will be sitting on the edge of their seats when President Obama delivers his long-awaited address to the Islamic world on June 4.   BBC NEWS VIDEO: Israeli police, backed by the army, dismantle an unauthorized Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, May 21, 00:01:52

Might the Promised Land also be the scene of a miracle? The world expects much from Barack Obama, especially the Middle East. It was in this region more than any other that Bush carried out one of the most calamitous policies of his reign, managing simultaneously to alienate both the governments in the region, and their Arab and Muslim populations, without gaining any additional security for the United States or Israel.

 

Obama must first reverse this policy so heavily weighted in favor of Israel, which in the name of an illusory struggle against terrorism, gave the Israeli government complete impunity. Washington failed to impose a freeze on settlements in the occupied territories, nor did it denounce the ferocious and unnecessary war in Gaza.

 

SEE ALSO ON THIS:

Le Monde, France: Obama: Last Hope for Israeli-Palestinian Peace?

Amal Al Ummah, Egypt: Don't Be Fooled By Obama's Egypt Speech

Amal Al Ummah, Egypt: Egypt's Comments on Israeli Nukes a Betrayal of Muslims

Al-Arab al-Yawm, Jordan: World Must Not Fall for Obama PR Onslaught

Al Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Obama: A Humble Leader Worthy of His Great Nation

Al Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Obama Interview with Al-Arabiya Cause for Arab Shame

Le Quotidien d'Oran, Algeria Arab Leaders Prefer to 'Listen to Obama's Fables'

Al Watan, Oman: When 'Hussein' is the Most Beautiful Word

L'Orient Le Jour, Lebanon: Stars, Stripes and the Muslim Crescent

L'Orient Le Jour, Lebanon: Arab Leaders Should Heed Obama's Words

Alhayat Aljadeeda, Palestine: As Palestinians Await Obama's Speech, We Must Show Unity

 

For Arabs and Palestinians in particular, the United States is not a neutral arbiter, but an ally of one of the parties to the conflict, "held hostage by the pro-Israeli lobby." Of course, the security of the Hebrew state, regularly threatened by the Iranian Strangelove [President Ahmadinejad], must be preserved - but security is not simply a military question. Obama understands quite well that the Palestinian question cannot be resolved independently of the regional equation, an arc of crisis that stretches from Pakistan to the Mediterranean. That is why he must insist that Netanyahu accept a Palestinian state - a solution which is also desired by a majority of Israelis. We must put an end to the policy of double standards, even when they are in the interests of allies in Israel.

 

CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION