Obama: Use flotilla tragedy as an opportunity to make peace in Middle East

04 June 2010

Speaking on US television, President Barack Obama has said that despite the raid by Israel on the flotilla attempting to reach Gaza, the peace process had to continue. Although Israel had “legitimate security concerns" about the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, he added that the blockade of Gaza was “preventing people from pursuing economic opportunities.” In an interview on CNN's show 'Larry King Live' [watch excerpts here] Obama described this week's flotilla incident as a "tragic situation" but also said it needed to be used as an opportunity to advance the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. “The status quo is unsustainable… We’ve got to have a situation where the Palestinians have an opportunity.”

The Obama administration has taken a cautious line while Israel faces international condemnation over the deaths of nine activists. US officials have said the incident underscored the need to make progress in indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority which began last month but  have so far failed to make much headway.

Media reports in Israel said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering easing the Gaza blockade, provided Israel can continue to inspect all shipments prior to their delivery to the Gaza Strip. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and many European leaders have demanded that Israel lift the blockade immediately. The diplomatic Quartet for the Middle East peace – which includes the United Nations, the European Union, Russia, and the United States –stressed the need "to fundamentally improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," according to Ban.

Netanyahu on Wednesday defended the Gaza blockade, insisting that it was key in preventing weapons from reaching the Palestinian territory, where the Islamist rulers use tunnels on the Egyptian border to smuggle in weapons. "Hamas continues to arm itself, and Iran continues to transfer weapons to Hamas," he said.

» UN Human Rights Council condemns Israel's "outrageous attack" and demands probe

» European Jewish Congress wants Turkish Islamist group IHH banned in Europe

» Turkish-Israeli diplomatic relations facing breakdown

» South Africa recalls ambassador to Israel over flotilla raid

» World Jewish Congress Statement Regarding Israeli Operation Aboard the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla"

WJC and Supporting Israel

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vladimir, about 1 year ago

Dear friends: 1. I am very upset of President B.Obama WRONG terminology: world wide progressive people new from independent Media of the world, that "Flotilia" was ORGANISED, ANTISEMITIC PROVOCATION and killed people on the ship was a terrible/horrible PRICE/payment for Turkey MILITARY antisemitic hazardous activity. 2. One regular american (USA) reader wrote in his comments: "PM R.Erdogan during Flotilia time made another antisemitic musturbation". I think that Leader of FREE WORLD has to have real and practical impression of "Flotilia". 2. How the ANTISEMITIC PROVOCATION and MUSTURBATION can "Make peace in Middle East"? Please maybe somebody will explain me "what is the connections between "Antisemitic Flotilia" and "Peace talk with EXPIRED President M.Abbas"?????? Sincerely, Vladimir

Vladimir, about 1 year ago

Dear Friends: Let me make my individual opinion, maybe, it will describe REAL situation, but not a "Pollitical DREAM" of some Leader. All Flotilia actions was an ORGANIZED ANTISEMITIC PROVOCATION, but not a "flotilia tragedy"!!! Killed people was a payment for military PROVOCATION. Leader of FREE world did not make a MISTAKE, it was only HIS own opinion. How ORGANIZED PROVOCATION on independent state of Israel with killed people can be an "opportunity to make peace in MIddle East" with EXPIRED PRESIDENT M.Abbas????? I heard journalists that USA diplomacy is seeking for "peaceful muslim........ " Israel has to propose his own independent FOREIGN POLICY on the basis of real situations. Right now every Political Fantazer can announce a lot of his "democratic and free of TRUTH ideas". Sincerely, Vladimir

Vladimir, about 1 year ago

Dear Mr.Pesident: You have a lot of "Peaceful ideas" against Israel, but your $400 mln to Xamas-Palestinians civic construction have a comment from american reader: "than President will send weapons"!? From 1948 Israel only defend his land and a lot of jewish blood on the land of Israel. Who cares??? From 1948 there are NO ANY DIPLOMATIC relations between Israel and his arabs neighbors?? Who cares?? Israel finish "Cast Led" in a favour of President B.Obama. Who cares? G.Shalit is not free for more than 3 years, and everybody tryes, but who cares? Israel have PEACE TALK with EXPIRED PALESTINIAN President and "false" Prime Minister, but who cares? Israel is making ONLY ONE request to Fatax: "Boys, please, let live Peacefully", but who kares? Sincerely, Vladimir

Salomon Alphandary, about 1 year ago

I am of jewish faith, I live in South Africa but I was born in Egypt. Somebody is lying - It seems to me that it has been ascertained beyond any doubt that Hamas smuggles arms from tunnels dug on Egyptian soil. What would stop them from smuggling arms in "humanitarian aid ships" All Israel wanted to do was to check the contents of the ships - was this such a crime???? It seems to me that we are returning to the situation where the whole of Europe bowed to the demands of Hitler and now the same situation is developing with the whole world bowing to the actions of Iran. I love the arabs as a whole, especially the egyptian arabs as I have a lot in common with them. I believe we are directly related and if only a minimum amount of common sense could prevail, we would have no problem in living in peace with each other.

Arturo Leal, about 1 year ago

Hamas continues to arm itself, and Iran continues to transfer weapons to Hamas and Obama says to give the Palestians an opportunity to Land with Arm Cargos...

Netanyahu on Wednesday defended the Gaza blockade, insisting that it was key in preventing weapons from reaching the Palestinian territory, where the Islamist rulers use tunnels on the Egyptian border to smuggle in weapons.

Mr. Netanyahu, you keep FIRM in the Nation's Stand against the Threat that is at hand...

Yotam Nir, about 1 year ago

I didn't know the economic opportunities of an Arab are more important than the life of a Jew...

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