Washington – At Ramadan Dinner In White House Obama Says Attacks On Israel Inexcusable, Praises Egypt’s Cease-Fire Plan

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    President Barack Obama speaks as he hosts an Iftar dinner, which celebrates the breaking of fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, Monday, July 14, 2014. Obama also made comments about Syria and the Israel and Palestinian conflict. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)Washington – President Barack Obama praised Egypt’s proposal Monday for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, telling Muslim-Americans that he’s hopeful that the plan can restore calm in the wake of a deadly wave of violence.

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    “We’re going to continue to do everything we can to facilitate a return to the 2012 cease-fire,” Obama said at a White House dinner celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. “We are encouraged that Egypt has made a proposal to accomplish that goal.”

    The upbeat assessment from Obama came hours after Egypt presented a plan to end a week of heavy fighting that has killed at least 185 people. Both Israel and the Palestinians say they are seriously considering the proposal, which marks the first sign of a breakthrough in international efforts to end the conflict.

    At the same time, Obama said the U.S. has been “very clear that Israel has the right to defend itself” against an onslaught of rockets being launched indiscriminately by Hamas militants into Israel. He also lamented the death and injury of Palestinian civilians in Gaza during Israel’s military response to quell the rockets, urging that civilians be protected and warning against further escalation by either side.
    A Muslim woman takes a photo as U.S. President Barack Obama speaks while hosting an Iftar dinner at the White House in Washington July 14, 2014. Iftar is the meal after sunset that breaks the day of fasting during Ramadan. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
    Infusing Obama’s words with a heightened sense of seriousness was his audience in the State Dining Room: Dozens of Muslim-Americans and diplomats from predominantly Muslim countries who gathered for the White House’s annual iftar, or Ramadan evening meal. The only Muslim member of Congress, Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., and Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Ron Dermer, were also on the guest list.

    “More broadly, the situation in Gaza reminds us, again, that the status quo is unsustainable,” Obama said. “The only path to true security is a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”

    Ahead of the dinner, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee called for a boycott of all government-hosted iftar dinners, objecting to U.S. support for Israel during the conflict and alleged government spying on Muslim-Americans. Ellison said he shared the group’s concerns but disagreed with the boycott and said it was important for passionate members of the Muslim community to attend.


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    11 Comments
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    9 years ago

    He speaks emes in the face of the lion…kol hakovod

    Lazer
    Lazer
    9 years ago

    Yes. Let’s support a cease fire so that Hamas can rearm and send in more rockets.

    9 years ago

    how many affiliated terrorists or supporters of terrorism were invited to the dinner this time?

    9 years ago

    2-faced

    sighber
    sighber
    9 years ago

    As long as the world thinks that Israel occupies “palestinian” land, there can be no peace.

    HankM
    HankM
    9 years ago

    Reply to 1. He speaks whatever his PR people tell his speach writers will win him the most brownie points. Emes? From two-mouth Obama? Yeah, we’re still waiting for that

    volfie
    volfie
    9 years ago

    let them choke !

    lazerx
    lazerx
    9 years ago

    we don’t need a return to the 2012 ceasefire, we need a lasting peace and that won’t happen with anymore cease fires. Ceasefires are good for re-arming and re-plotting the next battle.

    We need to get rid of Hamas and either hang their leader or use a real bullet to the head of all of the Hamas terrorist leaders. Then when the terrorists are gone, we can have a real peace, not a lull in the fighting.

    PaulinSaudi
    PaulinSaudi
    9 years ago

    Actually no. There can be no peace as long as the Palestinians think Israel occupies Palestinian land. Convince them and we will have peace.