photocredit: Offical WH Photostream
Did you expect anything less than a 53-minute, expansive, sweeping, and cautiously worded speech from Obama?
The reactions to the speech have been indicative of the divided political climate (which century will eventually see the end of this tug-of-war?). In Israel, some were not too enchanted with the speech, acknowledging that it was a nice gesture, but possibly too nice:
Analysts on Israeli television stations criticized the American president for failing to mention the word terror in his speech even once, opting instead to use violence. While the professionalism and conviction Obama delivered his speech was praised by some Israeli officials, others felt the president’s reference to the Holocaust followed by a direct passage where he spoke of the suffering and humiliation of the Palestinian people was hurtful and unnecessary.
In other regions, like Palestine, Afghanistan, and the very country he used as a platform to deliver such an anticipated address, Egypt, the same divide was evident:
From shopkeepers and students to radical groups such as Hamas, many Muslims praised President Barack Obama’s address Thursday as a positive shift in U.S. attitude and tone. But hard-liners criticized it as style over substance and said it lacked concrete proposals to turn the words into action.
Obama touched on many themes Muslims wanted to hear in the highly anticipated speech broadcast live across much of the Middle East and elsewhere across the Muslim world. He insisted Palestinians must have a state and said continued Israeli settlement in the West Bank is not legitimate. He assured them the U.S. would pull all it troops out of Iraq by 2012 and promised no permanent U.S. presence in Afghanistan.
But at the top of his priorities, he put the battle against violent extremism. And he was faulted for not apologizing for U.S. wars in Muslim countries.
So, in all, it was good, but they’ll reserve the applause for the actual somersault.
But Obama tried, and anyone who heard or read the speech must acknowledge that. While his grandiose rhetoric of universal understanding and mutual cooperation may rub some cynics the wrong way, it is a definite change in tone from previous presidents. It was carefully worded and surprisingly honest. It respected both sides of the conflict, but it also made it clear what his position is on a handful of issues: Israel settlements in the Gaza Strip, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Islamic fundamentalism and violence, and the respect for the nation of Israel and Palestine.
“He was trying to erase stereotypes about Islam,” said Marwan Kabalan, a professor of political science at Damascus University in Damascus, Syria. “It was the most tolerant speech I have ever heard by an American president concerning Islam and Muslims.”
photocredit: Official WH Photostream
Small overtures like beginning his speech with “Assalaamu alaykum” (May the peace of God be with you), and quoting passages of the Holy Koran that highlight the peaceful nature of Islam, are some that previous American presidents have failed to consider. By treating them as equals, Obama is earning their favor while assuring Israel and Americans that this charming session will benefit everyone in the end.
This may be the political capital most presidents who attempted to resolve the breach between the West and the Middle East have been missing. Obama is well-respected and liked by the Muslim world, but unlike any other recent US president, he is trusted. This may also be a reason why Israel feels a sudden chill in their relationship with America: they fear Obama will get too cozy with the other side.
Obama’s speech at the Cairo University in its entirety is below.
Any comments on his performance and message today?
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