It's not for the president to determine the arrangements between Israel and the Palestinians, and the Arab world, but to be the bridge between opinions and to facilitate dialogue and understanding.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
When a deeply sympathetic American president asks for concessions and compromises and appears able to cajole some from the Palestinians, which was the Clinton/Rabin and Bush/Sharon combination, Israel must respond.
Israelis and Palestinians are suspicious of each other and of promises from outside. But the need for a negotiated solution between the parties should not stymie international clarity and consensus about the endgame in terms of borders and other issues.
I think President Obama views Israel as a problem that needs to be solved.
The United States is for a two-state solution. The United States wants to see the Israelis and Palestinians come together.
The right course is for the Palestinians and the Israelis to sit down at the table together. The Palestinians need to recognize that the course to the two-state solution is not through the United Nations or through the United States or through anyone else, but through a face to face series of negotiations with the Israelis.
Moreover, resolving the mother of all problems - the Israeli-Palestinian question - requires cooperation between Europe and the U.S.
The ability of the president to be perceived as someone with whom all Israelis can identify depends on his ability to avoid being a party to debate.
We must stay focused on the bilateral negotiations between the Palestinians and us.
What Israel wants is peace with - and the acknowledgment of - all the Arab countries.
The relationship between the Jews and Arabs is necessary to help build a bridge between Israelis and Palestinians.
No opposing quotes found.