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azurnoir

(45,850 posts)
Tue Jul 15, 2014, 06:12 PM Jul 2014

Obama: Even after truce, status quo unsustainable

Even if the Egyptian ceasefire were to take effect Tuesday, the current status quo in the region is “unsustainable,” US President Barack Obama told guests at an official White House Iftar dinner on Monday evening. Using strong language to condemn rocket attacks launched from the Gaza Strip against Israeli civilians, Obama described the pictures that are seen from both Gaza and Israel as “heart wrenching.”

“The situation in Gaza reminds us again that the status quo is unsustainable and that the only path to true security is a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, where differences are resolved peacefully and in ways that respect the dignity of all people,” Obama told attendees, who included elected officials, religious and grassroots leaders in the Muslim American community, leaders of diverse faiths, and members of the diplomatic corps.

“Our goal has been and continues to be peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians,” Obama said. “And I will say very clearly, no country can accept rocket fired indiscriminately at citizens. And so, we’ve been very clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against what I consider to be inexcusable attacks from Hamas.”

The president followed the statement by saying that “at the same time, on top of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza that we’ve worked long and hard to alleviate, the death and injury of Palestinian civilians is a tragedy, which is why we’ve emphasized the need to protect civilians, regardless of who they are or where they live.”



http://www.timesofisrael.com/obama-even-after-truce-status-quo-unsustainable/

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Obama: Even after truce, status quo unsustainable (Original Post) azurnoir Jul 2014 OP
Obama praises Egypt's cease-fire plan for Israel King_David Jul 2014 #1
Hamas of course rejected the cease fire and decided that the best way foreword King_David Jul 2014 #2

King_David

(14,851 posts)
1. Obama praises Egypt's cease-fire plan for Israel
Tue Jul 15, 2014, 07:14 PM
Jul 2014

Obama praises Egypt's cease-fire plan for Israel

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama praised Egypt's proposal Monday for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, telling Muslim-Americans that he's hopeful that the plan can restore calm in the wake of a deadly wave of violence.

"We're going to continue to do everything we can to facilitate a return to the 2012 cease-fire," Obama said at a White House dinner celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "We are encouraged that Egypt has made a proposal to accomplish that goal."

The upbeat assessment from Obama came hours after Egypt presented a plan to end a week of heavy fighting that has killed at least 185 people. Both Israel and the Palestinians say they're seriously considering the proposal, which marks the first sign of a breakthrough in international efforts to end the conflict.

At the same time, Obama said the U.S. has been "very clear that Israel has the right to defend itself" against an onslaught of rockets being launched indiscriminately by militants from Gaza into Israel. He also lamented the death and injury of Palestinian civilians in Gaza during Israel's military response to quell the rockets, urging that civilians be protected and warning against further escalation by either side.

Infusing Obama's words with a heightened sense of seriousness was his audience in the State Dining Room: Dozens of Muslim-Americans and diplomats from predominantly Muslim countries who gathered for the White House's annual iftar, or Ramadan evening meal. The first Muslim elected to Congress, Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, and Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Ron Dermer, were also on the guest list.


http://news.yahoo.com/obama-praises-egypts-cease-fire-plan-israel-014445736--politics.html
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King_David

(14,851 posts)
2. Hamas of course rejected the cease fire and decided that the best way foreword
Tue Jul 15, 2014, 07:17 PM
Jul 2014

Is suicide .

Israel of course accepted the cease fire .

Actually no cease fire is necessary , Hamas could stop the rockets unilaterally and the whole thing ends.

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