While speaking to the United Nations General Assembly, President Obama said Israelis and Palestinians would be better off if “Israel recognizes it cannot permanently occupy and settle Palestinian land.”
During his speech, Obama told the UN delegation what he believes would “surely” make the world a better a place. He compared alleged racial persecution faced in America to genocide occurring in Burma and Burundi:
And what is true in in the Middle East is true for all of us. Surely, religious traditions can be honored and upheld while teaching young people science and math rather than intolerance.
Surely, we can sustain our unique traditions while giving women their full and rightful role in politics and economics of a nation.
Surely, we can rally our nations to solidarity while recognizing equal treatment for all communities, whether it’s a religious minority in Myanmar, or an ethnic minority in Burundi, or a racial minority right here in the United States.
Obama then turned his focus on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, stating that while Palestinians should “reject” calls for violence, Israel needs to stop occupying and settling land that allegedly belongs to Palestine:
And surely, Israelis and Palestinians will be better off if Palestinians reject incitement and recognize the legitimacy of Israel, but Israel recognizes it cannot permanently occupy and settle Palestinian land.
Before moving on to his next point, Obama added, “We all have to do better as leaders in tamping down, rather than encouraging, a notion of identity that leaves us to diminish others.”
Obama has previously called for Israel to return to its 1967 borders, which would potentially require Israel to give up the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has called the 1967 borders “indefensible.”
Obama’s comments come days after the U.S. government finalized its plan to give $38 in military foreign aid to Israel.