r/politics • u/Particular_Log_3594 • 6d ago

No Paywall Obama: Israel 'took the land' from Palestinians, 'ceded moral ground' in Gaza

https://www.jpost.com/international/article-911851
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u/walkallover1991 District Of Columbia 6d ago

I'm sorry but statements like this give me "one day everyone will have been against this" vibes.

As President, Obama opposed Palestine's bid for full UN member status and then later also opposed their bid to non-member observer state status. His administration also worked to block Palestinian efforts to pursue charges against Israel at the ICC.

He continued doing the Democrat song and dance regarding settlement expansion, but expansion continued throughout his Presidency. The U.S. abstained from a UNSC vote on settlement expansion.

You can't be against settlement expansion while simultaneously sending military aid to Israel, protecting Israel on the international arena, and not sanctioning high-ranking Israeli leaders.

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u/DangerousCyclone 6d ago edited 6d ago

He was far from one of the most Pro Israel Presidents though, and he did pressure Bibi immediately to cease building settlements and succeeded for a time. I think the issue is similar to how he handled Russia; he was too passive as they stepped up their incursions and violations against the peace. The settler project kicked into high gear under him and by the time he left we had an escalating situation that led to the pre 10/7 status quo. 

Politically , had he done more he would've faced far more opposition among his own party and the Republicans. AIPACs stranglehold was very strong at the time. 

That said I hate this sentiment. Yeah he didn't have a good record before, but it is huge that he's saying something now.

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u/kylebisme 6d ago

he did pressure Bibi immediately to cease building settlements and succeeded for a time.

Not really.