Don't Allow Fear, Skeptics To Obstruct Mideast Peace, Says Obama

US President Barack Obama has said that skeptics and critics of peace between Palestinians and Israelis should think about the alternative. According to him, if peace process fails, Palestinians won't get the chance to know the dignity and pride which comes with a free state. Israelis will never enjoy the security and certainty which comes with stable and sovereign neighbors who want to co-exist. Obama also warned that if the peace process is derailed, there will be more bloodshed and the Holy Land will continue to represent the differences between us rather than common humanity.

The prepared text of Obama's speech said that even though the responsibility to establish peace rests with Palestinians and Israelis, other nations should play their role as well. Obama stressed the need for friends of Israelis to understand that a free Palestinian state is vital for the safety of the Jewish state and urged the friends of Palestine to understand that the people of Palestine can only get their rights through nonviolent means.

Since coming into office, President Obama has worked untiringly to resolve the dispute between Palestinians and Israelis. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and envoy for Mideast peace George Mitchell have tried hard to pave the way for peace talks focusing on resolving all major issues in 12 months time. Tensions are rising over Israel's plans to construct new settlements in the West Bank. While Palestinians believe that the plan will jeopardize the peace talks, Israel says that some construction will go ahead as planned.