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(source: Washington Report) “Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has reached a secret understanding with the Obama administration over U.S. recognition of an independent Palestinian state” within the 1967 borders, according to a Nov. 8, 2009 article published in Israel’s daily Haaretz, which cited a “classified, unreleased” portion of the Fayyad plan to bolster Palestinian institutions. The Arab League, major European countries and the United Nations Security Council would also recognize this unilateral Palestinian declaration of independence. (For more information see www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1126594.html.)
We urge President Barack Obama to recognize an independent Palestinian state as soon as possible and send a long-awaited message in front of the Rafah Gate to end the crippling siege of Gaza.
Today, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, on Nov. 9, 1989, we recall President Ronald Reagan’s address at the Brandenburg Gate (see below) and yearn for a similar address in the near future by President Barack Obama (see below Reagan’s speech) as he announces U.S. support for the new Palestinian state.
President Harry Truman recognized Israel just minutes after the new nation was proclaimed on May 14, 1948. It may take nearly 62 years to do the same for Palestine, but it is not too late. In fact, more than 20 years ago, on November 15, 1988, the Palestinian Liberation Organization issued a Declaration of Independence and proclaimed Palestinian statehood, which has been recognized by 100 countries. We call on President Obama to recognize an independent Palestinian state.
Behind me stands a wall that encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe….Standing before the Brandenburg Gate, every man is a German, separated from his fellow men. Every man is a Berliner, forced to look upon a scar…. As long as this gate is closed, as long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind….
General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate.
Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate!
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! - Ronald Reagan, address at the Brandenburg Gate, June 12, 1987
Behind me stands a wall that encircles the city of Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, part of a vast system of barriers and roads that divides the Holy Land…. Standing before the Rafah Crossing, every man is a Palestinian, separated from his fellow men. Every man is a Gazan, forced to look upon a scar…. As long as this gate is closed, as long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the Palestinian question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind…
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for Israelis, Palestinians and Arabs, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate.
Mr. Netanyahu, open this gate!
Mr. Netanyahu, tear down this wall! - Barack Obama, an address we wish would happen at the Rafah Border Crossing, November 15, 2009 |
