I will also continue
to seek a just and lasting peace between Israel, Palestine, and the Arab world. Yesterday, I had a constructive meeting with
Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas. We have made some progress. Palestinians have strengthened their efforts on
security. Israelis have facilitated greater freedom of movement for the Palestinians. As a result of these efforts by both
sides, the economy in the West Bank has begun to grow. But more progress is needed. We continue to call on Palestinians to
end incitement against Israel, and we continue to emphasize that America does not accept the legitimacy of continued
Israeli settlements. (Worth noting Obama received loud applause for that statement)
The time has come
to re-launch negotiations - without preconditions - that address the permanent-status issues: security for Israelis
and Palestinians; borders, refugees and Jerusalem. The goal is clear: two states living side by side in peace
and security - a Jewish State of Israel, with true security for all Israelis; and a viable, independent Palestinian state
with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and realizes the potential of the
Palestinian people. As we pursue this goal, we will also pursue peace between Israel and Lebanon, Israel and Syria, and a
broader peace between Israel and its many neighbors. In pursuit of that goal, we will develop regional initiatives with multilateral
participation, alongside bilateral negotiations.
I am not naive. I know this will be difficult. But all of us must decide whether we are serious
about peace, or whether we only lend it lip-service. To break the old patterns - to break the cycle of insecurity
and despair - all of us must say publicly what we would acknowledge in private. The United States does Israel no favors when
we fail to couple an unwavering commitment to its security with an insistence that Israel respect the legitimate claims
and rights of the Palestinians. And nations within this body do the Palestinians no favors when they choose vitriolic
attacks over a constructive willingness to recognize Israel's legitimacy, and its right to exist in peace and security.
We must remember that the greatest price
of this conflict is not paid by us. It is paid by the Israeli girl in Sderot who closes her eyes in fear that a rocket will
take her life in the night. It is paid by the Palestinian boy in Gaza who has no clean water and no country to call his own.
These are God's children. And after all of the politics and all of the posturing, this is about the right of every human being
to live with dignity and security. That is a lesson embedded in the three great faiths that call one small
slice of Earth the Holy Land. And that is why - even though there will be setbacks, and false starts, and tough days -
I will not waiver in my pursuit of peace.
-Barack H. Obama 9.23.2009 UN General Assembly speech excerpts
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And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem,
in the house of the LORD, before the new court, And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest
not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand
thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the
seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? 2 Chronicles 20:5-7
And he (Jahaziel) said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king
Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is
not yours, but God's. 2 Chronicles 20:15
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and
layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling
unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day
will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though
all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Zechariah 12:1-3
In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them
at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. And it shall
come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Zechariah 12:8-9
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pray for Israel.
God Bless, daniel
