Hamas says Obama's speech leaning to Israel

[LetTimmySmoke]

Source: Xinhua

GAZA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement on Thursday rejected U.S. President Barack Obama's speech on the Middle East, accusing him of leaning towards Israel.

"Obama adopted Israel's position to boost himself in preparation for an electoral campaign," said Mahmoud Zahar, a Gaza- based leader of Hamas, which does not recognize Israel.

Obama delivered a speech Thursday in which he urged Israel and the Palestinians to resume peace talks, stalled over a dispute on settlement activities since last year.

He agreed with the Palestinian National Authority that the negotiations should be based on having the Palestinian state within the lands that Israel has captured in 1967, with limited swap of land.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-05/20/c_13884173.htm

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I know the source is from the Chinese media but this isn't anything related to a politically sensitive topic in China so it's probably not too censored.

My feeling on this is screw Hamas. Obama reached out and made a politically risky show of good faith, and Hamas slapped his hand away. At this point, it's time to tell them to take a hike. Announce that no more pressure will be made against Israel on Palestine's behalf until Hamas and company lay down their arms and renounce violence.

[PDJane]

1. They have every right to be sceptical.

I would be. It will take more than one speech to undo the damage of more than sixty years of unquestioning support for Israel.

[Enrique]

2. imagine if Hamas had praised the speech

does anyone think Obama would have wanted that?

[center rising]

3. Fuck Hamas. Terrorist goons and cowards

[PDJane]

4. After some thought on this.........

The way this was phrased likely means that Israel increases its territory by keeping the space of occupied territories.....that's what 'swaps' means. That also means they get to keep the water table.

I wouldn't be too happy about that either.

[Chef Eric]

6. That's not what swaps means. Obama said MUTUALLY AGREED swaps.

Neither side would have to give up any land within its own (1967) border, unless the other side agreed.

[PDJane]

7. You know, as well as I do,

That's not going to work. Israel does not want peace.

[BlueMTexpat]

5. That's their expected opening salvo for public consumption.

But if Obama actually recognizes Hamas as a negotiating partner - which has NOT been the case since Hamas was elected - I have no doubt but that real negotiations actually will take place. Whether they are meaningful remains to be seen.

The bottom line is that it is not the opening position, but the final position that matters.

You would dismiss a democratically elected government so easily? What did you expect them to say?