Muslim Nations Glued To Obama's Speech

Excitement Meets Obama In Cairo, But Reaction To President's Message Was Mixed

(CBS)  President Obama's words were heard even inside a tent in Gaza by a family living near the ruins of their home, destroyed by Israeli bulldozers.

Israelis also gathered around television stations, glued to every word.

Obama's speech was no small event in the Middle East. From the coffee shops of Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, across the Islamic world to Afghanistan, Pakistan, even Indonesia. Muslims everywhere listened, reports CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Lara Logan.

"He's a star," said Rebab el-Mehdi, a political scientist at the American University of Cairo.

"He's a star?" Logan asked.

"There's an energy in the room," el-Mehdi said. "I don't know if you can feel it. I can."

The excitement was greatest on the streets of Cairo, including crowds chanting praise for America's new president. It's not surprising since this ancient city is where he chose to deliver his address.

It is a first in Cairo - T-shirts and souvenirs with the name of an American president on sale here. It's sign of Barack Obama's personal popularity - and how much is resting on his shoulders.

That was reflected on Arab TV channels that broadcast it live. The speech was big news, even leading the main evening bulletin in Iran.

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Reporter's Notebook: Arab World Saw Obama's Speech As Historic

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The reaction was mixed. Arab leaders were conspicuous by their absence, and it was no surprise that Mr. Obama's comments on Israel and the Palestinians dominated the discussions. Many in this region felt the president did not go far enough in condemning Israeli violence against the Palestinians.

"Mr. Obama asked Hamas to stop the rockets at the same moment he did not speak of anything about 1,500 Palestinians killed in the last invasion of Israel in Gaza in 2009," said Mahmoud Ramahi, a Hamas legislator.

In Israel itself, the speech led all broadcasts, with a sense of major change in the U.S. attitude towards its old ally. Israel is no longer the "favored son."

An Israeli government statement welcomed Mr. Obama's plea for peace, but avoided any reference to his calls for a settlement freeze in the West Bank and the creation of an independent Palestinian state - demands that Israel's hawkish Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, continues to reject.

"I think the statements he said are very, very politically threatening, and he must be very honest and really realistic, and very strong to be able to say those things and not be afraid of what's coming next," said Sarah Hassan, a student.

Dampening some of the enthusiasm is the fact that Obama's main allies in the region are oppressive regimes unpopular with many of their own people.

[USA_Constitution]

Yeah, isn't it scary.

[YrSoWrong]

The Arabs don't have to pay anything. They nationalize other people's work.

[I_am_me1953]

From the above article, "Mr. Obama asked Hamas to stop the rockets at the same moment he did not speak of anything about 1,500 Palestinians killed in the last invasion of Israel in Gaza in 2009," said Mahmoud Ramahi, a Hamas legislator."
____________________

So Mahmoud Ramahi, a Hamas legislator, thinks it is OK for Hamas to start s h i t against Israel, BUT Israel should take it and not retaliate?

Want to blame 1500 palestenian deaths due to Israel rocket attacke?

Blame Hamas, they started the unprovoked rocket attack(s). Israel has the right to protect their citizens, and send additional message of "don't tread on me".

IMO Israel acted with restraint. they could have decided the heck with it, lets wipe the Palestinians off the face of the earth and then tell Iran "You're next".

[orsands]

Finally...a president that has the b*lls to stand up to Israel and call them on their duplicity. They have been playing the bully too long while clinging to their victim role.
I had always been very pro Israel until I saw more and more reports and stories about how they treat the Palestinians. Funny how the victim can turn into the same type of aggressor that they fled from when it suits their needs. They say no more settlements and then turn a blind eye to people constantly building homes there. I agree with previous posts that the US should hold back sending them any more money until they completely leave the land that was set aside for the Palestinians. Money is about the only thing they listen to. They have so many people lobbying in Washington and a huge power base that has always made it impossible for a president to take them on.
Good for you Obama!

[mysteriousjz]

very nice and noble speech. He tried to keep a balance but fell short on.....

Israel and Palestinian+> As he referenced, people sending rockets on sleeping children, and blowing old women, and all that he specifically mentioned, all very sad, BUT, he failed to mention that equally atrocious, if not more, the killing and bombing of women, children, babies and elderly literally under seige... where is the outcry for over 1500 killed just in last few months?

Afghanistan and Pakistan +> he mentioned his insistence that he is there to c0onfront terrorists... but where is his outcry for "innocent women, men, and children" killed in their mudhouses in Afghanistan, thousands just in last few months?

The very fact that the president has not indicated that he will retract from those lands and would leave the indigenous people live their own lives, would create a huge gap and will spiral into continued conflicts in general.

A very noble person, noble speech, and very serene message, but the attitude from the US policies, and from the politicians of the US is not that positive. Therefore, optimism is limited as it seems.

[bajajohn1]

Now that the President has laid a framework meaningful peace talks between the Israeli's and Palestinianians, the wallet must be used to force good-faith negotiations wrapped in goodwill. Our taxpayer money should be heard loud and clear.

[Audacity_of_Deception]

He covered that, It was under the statement, "what in the past, is past" let us start looking forward, not backward.
Posted by ToolMangler1

Ok then, let's talk about the present, how the so-called "Palestinians" train their young on a daily basis to become suicide bombers for allah in an act of shahada, for islam. Let's also discuss the rights of women in Islam, and what happens with them if they are simply "spotted" with another man (Even looking at him) in public. Funny how Obama failed to mention these things. To him, Islam is victorious and will rule the world (which is what he wants anyhow)

[ToolMangler1]

test

[ToolMangler1]

"Mr. Obama asked Hamas to stop the rockets at the same moment he did not speak of anything about 1,500 Palestinians killed in the last invasion of Israel in Gaza in 2009," said Mahmoud Ramahi, a Hamas legislator.




He covered that, It was under the statement, "what in the past, is past" let us start looking forward, not backward.

[hoseobama]

Talk is cheap. If the Muslims are truely impressed, let them turn on their terrorist fundamentalists. Until then, it was a pretty speech with no results.

[Ferrell-2]

It's a start. Obama will have to follow up on that speech at a later date to qualify some of his remarks. I'm sure a lot of people in that region of the world still have
doubts about our relationship with Israel and also with all Islamic nations therein. At least Obama is trying to offer an olive branch, albeit it vaguely. Maybe a few more visits will smooth things over a little more. He will, however, have to be more explicit in his planned actions instead of relating to them just his desires for peace.