BICOM

In an hour-long keynote address to an audience of mainly students in Jerusalem yesterday, US President Obama described peace as a necessity and called on the people of Israel to demand their leaders take risks for peace.

The first section of Obama’s speech, which was punctuated by repeated applause, focused on the United States’ deep commitment to Israel, a constant theme of Obama’s trip. He said “Those who adhere to the ideology of rejecting Israel’s right to exist might as well reject the earth beneath them and the sky above, because Israel is not going anywhere” and pledged “Today, I want to tell you… that so long as there is a United States of America, atem lo lavad (You are not alone).”

Obama then turned his attention to peace, describing it as “the only path to true security” for Israel. He also emphasised that peace is just, commenting to further applause, “Neither occupation nor expulsion is the answer. Just as Israelis built a state in their homeland, Palestinians have a right to be a free people in their own land.” He urged Israelis to “Put yourself in their shoes – look at the world through their eyes… It is not fair that a Palestinian child cannot grow up in a state of her own.”

Obama concluded by urging the Israeli people to insist that their leaders pursue peace, saying “Speaking as a politician I can promise you this: Political leaders will not take risks if the people do not demand that they do… You must create the change that you want to see.”

Obama’s address came after a morning visit to the Israel Museum and a trip to Ramallah, where he appeared at odds with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas over the prospect of an Israeli freeze on construction in West Bank settlements.