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Rabbi Marvin Hier of The Simon Wiesenthal Center and David Harris, CEO of the National Jewish Democratic Council, weigh in on President Obama's speech...
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Right well no surprise that.
The president's call for Israel to give -- of the Palestinians is ruffling some feathers but others are supporting the tough stance joining us now to discuss what impact all of this could have on Israel.
And the region is rabbi Marvin Hier founder dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
And David Harris CEO and president of the national Jewish democratic council gentlemen welcome great to have both of you this afternoon rob I'll begin with well you.
Is there anything anything positive that could come out of this proposal.
No personal the president's speech there was some positive elements.
The president spoke forcefully about against the Palestinian.
Unilateral move for statehood that the UN.
He has said that the bonds between user of the United States -- capable.
But I think he made a major -- up in going back to the June 67 -- that is no president no sitting president has ever done that before off.
The president explained himself by saying you have to be -- to friends.
-- he should have been justice blood to the Arab world be -- to set for the Arab world bluntly.
So -- if you have Hamas.
-- pot of the Palestinian government they'll never be peace.
It's as simple as that but the president didn't say that.
And therefore he put the August.
On the June 67 board is which the prime minister of Israel says is indefensible.
And we cannot go back he says to the June 67 -- All right David -- get your response to the rabbi.
Do you think this is a blunder DP was certainly -- -- -- aggressive position by the president.
I know -- I definitely do not think it was a blunder it's almost as if there were two speeches here it's the one that the president gave and the one that many people seem to be reacting to.
The rabbis unfortunately wrong this is not at all unprecedented.
This is exactly what to president George W.
Bush said.
Almost six years ago to the -- as he stood next to Mahmoud Abbas president of the Palestinian Authority when they stood together on the White House lawn.
But the 1949 armistice lines is they said at the time with agreed upon swaps would be the basis this is something that secretary of state Hillary Clinton said.
This has been a dozen years everybody's understood would be the basis what is unprecedented.
Is that a president of the United States in an address like this would get such a lopsided lead pro Israel address facing the -- in terms of Hamas and -- top.
That union in terms of isolating -- -- the United Nations in every other way.
That you would please the onus on the Palestinians and all of that rhetoric would be decidedly pro Israel.
All right and rabbi you again calling this a blunder saying it it's it's just a horrible mistake in so many words.
So are you concerned then about that.
The tourism dollars that flow and GT Israel from around the world Israel business in and finance -- strong stock market -- -- and -- could this jeopardize it.
-- you.
Know because Israel Israel remain strong get -- great bipartisan support.
And I can assure you that the overwhelming consensus in Israel will be that this is a -- a fantasy.
And as long as Hamas remains -- of the equation.
There will be talking about this next he had they'll be no movement whatsoever on the -- of Israel as long as Hamas refuses to recognize Israel.
I think that's the bottom line of all this.
Boy David you mentioned Hamas -- -- bring that into that picture -- Eight an additional increase exposure to that terror group -- the Palestinian people do identify with that and that's got to shake comp.
And it's absolutely and and the and the -- is exactly right that it's it absolutely complicates matters tremendously.
It's important to recognize that the president recognized this very forcefully and eloquently in his comments.
And said the onus is on the Palestinians to answer what he said with a very credible.
Very significant security questions that -- -- how could Israel talk.
To the Palestinians if in this alliance with with Hamas but he placed that -- very significantly completely on the Palestinians.
All right so what could have said that for the Arab world my point is I I agree with you on that but he -- said just that which is like he was -- with Israel.
By going back to the June 67 boarded.
He -- set for the ought to the Arab world after all this was an -- broadcasts heard the Arab world.
No to Hamas as -- this you have -- -- they will not be peace a simple statement.
So -- where do you want to hear from.
The US administration is there anything -- from the Palestinian representatives that would satisfy you to agree to this up proposal by President Obama let.
-- let me say very very frankly.
You know they'll -- they always come up with this idea -- vote would not.
I hope they're not had to have -- heading in that direction Israelis are robbed of these would -- it's.
Put the means way out Hamas signals.
A temporary halt.
In their philosophy of the destruction of Israel.
The Israelis will not buy it.
Had no prime minister of Israel will be able to sit -- -- -- things that agrees to what deal.
Of the June 67 -- is with Hamas as a plot that.
David you know Palestinians palace Palestine refuses to acknowledge Israel.
Absolutely and this is something that the president said squarely.
That he put he put too bad.
The fact that that Israel can move forward.
Unless Palestinians recognize Israel's right to exist -- -- this very frankly and he put me put that onus is well on the Palestinian couple a couple of quick second here at the meeting Israeli prime minister in the end Obama going on right now talking to reporters what's the best thing that can come of this.
-- -- I think that that the friendship.
And -- between the United States.
I'm debt and and the Israelis unshakable and President Obama -- that correct.
I don't think the United States is gonna force a solution upon the people of Israel.
Okay look look look -- the untold story here is the incredibly deep textured security relationship.
In this administration between US and Israel and that is really what they're gonna be focusing on as well and confronting Iran.
Our general -- fascinating discussion tough issue here -- they were rabbi Marvin -- and David Harris gentlemen thanks to both of you.
Thank you.
Very -- well adverse.
