Obama's speech widely condemned by Palestinians

Mahmoud Abbas listening to Obama's speech at the UN on Wednesday Gaza – Mohamed Habib There have been various reactions to Obama’s Wednesday evening speech in Gaza. A member of the PLO’s Executive Committee, Zakaria Agha, described it as “the worst American speech ever made in relation to the Arab-Israeli crisis.” “It was the worst in the history of US Presidents.” Agha said in a statement that the US President has finally shown his true colours after fooling Arabs and Muslims for a very long time.
He added that Obama has approached the region with double standards; on one hand demanding freedom, human rights and the popular will, while on the other giving Israel the right to continue its hostility towards Palestine.
Agha demanded that the Arabs states declare where they stand on the matter, not only in terms of Israel but also the US.
“We are looking towards million-man protests across the Arab capitals, especially in the Arab Spring countries. We are going to tell this American cowboy that we won’t take it anymore.”
Agha also asked Hamas to stop depriving its people from freedom of expression.
Rallies supporting the UN bid have been banned in the Gaza strip, ostensibly to prevent conflict between supporters and opponents.
Agha also asked Hamas to reconsider its decision to oppose the bid.
He said that Hamas has the right to be upset about the PLO’s decision to unilaterally make the bid, but it does not have the right to prevent Palestinians from expressing their opinions on the matter.
Ismail Al Ashqar, a prominent Hamas leader, said that Obama has not given the Palestinian people a safety net, nor will he give them a Palestinian state.
He believes that Obama has gone back on his word.
“We should not ask the US for help as for 63 years they have given Palestinians nothing other than humiliation and the loss of the Palestinian state”, he said.
Al Ashqar also addressed rumours that Arab countries are also pressuring Abbas to retract the bid.
“Arab countries are now weak in their official capacity, so we should take advantage of the Arab Spring and use the strength of Arab and Muslim populations to support the Palestinian case.”
He said that Palestinians need to adopt a strategy which includes every single Palestinian
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine also believes that Obama’s speech represented his adoption of the declared position of the Israeli government.
The Front called for Abbas to go ahead with the bid, as it wants to know where exactly the international community stands on the issue.
In contrast, the Israeli media expressed delight at Obama’s speech.
Israel’s top-selling newspaper, Yediot Aharonot, said: "Obama not only adopted all of the Israeli arguments against recognising a Palestinian state by means of the UN, he adopted the basic Israeli narrative."
"It is no wonder that Abu Mazen, who sat in the auditorium during the speech, hung his head in his hands in disbelief and despair", the newspaper said.
The right-leaning Jerusalem Post also said in a headline, “Obama tells Israelis what they've been waiting to hear" and applauded the speech for containing "a dose of empathy and understanding" which Obama had previously failed to express.
"That is not an insignificant message," the paper said.
Mayors and dignitaries in the Gaza Strip have released a statement at a meeting organised by the National Campaign for a Palestinian state in Gaza.
“The day has come for the victory of democracy and human rights. Today America will face liberals from the Arab states and around the world. The world will not forgive the US for its lies and its behaviour will strip it of everything that it has always been proud of”, the statement said.
Mohamed Hijazi, an author, made the meeting’s opening speech.
He stated that the Palestinian struggle is best led through a diplomatic battle.
He said that the US will not benefit from its decision to remain the sole sponsor of Israel and dishonest peace negotiations.
Today has also seen a renewal of calls for Palestinian unity.
A member of Fatah’s Legislative Council, Ahmed Abu Houli, stressed the importance of Palestinians ending the split between them.
He believes that internal pressure will only increase in the aftermath of Palestine becoming a state, meaning that Hamas and Fatah need to reconcile so that they can effectively deal with the political, social and economic pressures of independence.
He said that Palestinians need to prove to the world that Palestine is a nation that deserves to live.
A member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council, Amal Hamad, called on the Palestinian factions to take responsibility for their people.
He highlighted the need to rebuild Gaza socially, politically and economically.
In Gaza, Diab Al Louh, a senior member of Fatah said after a meeting with the Palestinian National Liberation Movement, that Palestinian political factions are coordinating to support the bid.
He said that a meeting was held on Thursday for all factions to discuss the matter.
The meeting’s attendees decided to hold a press conference, issue a memo to the United Nations representative in Gaza, to raise the flag of Palestine over houses, and to issue a statement on a national action plan.
Al Louh confirmed that the movements would plan peaceful and quiet events in Gaza as they are very aware of maintaining the positive atmosphere which has prevailed since the signing of the reconciliation agreement.