Dear friends,

Obama is challenging Israel´s right-wing government to stop its settlements,
which kills any possible prospects for peace -- *let´s raise a massive global
chorus to help him overcome powerful opposition in Israel and the US: *

[image: Sign the
petition]<http://www.avaaz. org/en/obama_ stop_settlements ?cl=246256359& v=3424>

*West Bank settlement maps show how Palestinians are only allowed to live in
small parts of their
land:*<http://www.avaaz. org/en/obama_ stop_settlements ?cl=246256359& v=3424>
President Obama just made a remarkable speech in Egypt, committing
personally to building peace in the Middle East. *Unexpectedly, his first
move is to directly challenge the new right-wing government of America´s
ally Israel* -- pressing them to stop their self-destructive policy of
settlements (illegal colonies set up on territory recognised by the US and
the world as Palestinian) .

This is a moment of rare crisis and opportunity. *Obama´s bold strategy is
facing powerful opposition, so he is going to need help around the world* in
the coming days and weeks to strengthen his resolve. Let´s start right now
-- by *raising a massive global chorus behind Obama´s statement* that the
settlements in occupied territory must stop.

We will advertise the number of signatures in key newspapers in Israel, as
well as in Washington DC (where some are trying to undermine Obama in the US
Congress). *Read Obama´s words now and add your signature to them at the
link below*, then forward this email to friends and family so they can do
the same:

*http://www.avaaz. org/en/obama_ stop_settlements *<http://www.avaaz. org/en/obama_ stop_settlements /?cl=246256359& v=3424>

There is broad agreement that *the settlements are a significant barrier to
peace, a view also shared by a silent majority of the Israeli public*.
Combined with a network of roadblocks and barriers, these colonies now
blanket the West Bank, seizing territory and forcing Palestinians to live
effectively as prisoners in smaller and smaller pockets (see map at right).

Until this problem is tackled, it seems impossible to build a viable
Palestinian state or any kind of lasting peace. *For Arab states deciding
what more they themselves can do for peace, stopping the settlements has
become a crucial test of Israeli´s seriousness. *

We will need to urge the other parties to take bold steps too. If we can help
Obama to stay the course on settlements, shift Israeli policy and encourage
the Palestinians and key Arab states also to stretch out their hands, *a new
beginning for the Middle East is possible*.

But none of this will happen without a growing global movement of citizens
taking action to support it. *Read Obama´s words, add your signature and
spread the word today:*

*http://www.avaaz. org/en/obama_ stop_settlements *<http://www.avaaz. org/en/obama_ stop_settlements /?cl=246256359& v=3424>

With hope and determination,

Paul, Raluca, Ricken, Brett, Paula, Graziela, Rajeev, Iain, Taren, Milena,
Luis, Alice

President Obama´s speech (full text):
http://www.nytimes. com/2009/ 06/04/us/ politics/ 04obama.text. html?_r=2

Heading More on Israeli Settlements:
http://www.miamiher ald.com/news/ world/story/ 1070944.html

Israeli Settlement Growth Must Stop:
http://www.nytimes. com/2009/ 05/28/world/ middleeast/ 28mideast. html?bl&ex= 1243656000& en=b27e228018721 4a9&ei=5087% 0A

Israel Hopes for Arab Reconciliation:
http://www.google. com/hostednews/ afp/article/ ALeqM5hIeUqCAozK 3Ibhbxa86Ur6mL3T sg

Obama Seeks New Start with Muslims:
http://english. aljazeera. net/news/ middleeast/ 2009/06/20096492 421821542. html

Ministers Split Over Obama´s Cairo Speech
http://www.ynetnews .com/articles/ 0,7340,L- 3726367,00. html

Bin Laden Attacks Obama Policies:
http://english. aljazeera. net/news/ middleeast/ 2009/06/20096312 3251920623. html

Already signed it....did you know today is the 41st anniversary of the death from assasination of

Robert F. Kennedy?

Here is a speech he gave

called

Day of Affirmation at Cape Town University

It is a speech against apartheid

At the time of recent US elections, many members here seemed to support Obama.

It is now time to see, if they really knew what they were talking about then...

I would prefer that Obama concentrate on repairing the U.S. economy foremost.  I can tell you that a majority of Americans priorities have to do with our own social economic well being at the present time.  If Obama brings Israel and the Palestinians to a level of continuous peace..I will bow down like Obama did to the Saudi King and admit that he maybe the Messiah after all.

I am not under the illusion that Obama can solve all our problems.  He is only one man, and he has to deal with the other two parts of US governence...at least he is an improvement.  I, in no way envy the task he has at hand.  It´s no secret, he has inherited a mess.  A mess that has been growing for a very long time.

Obama heads the Executive Branch, but there are also the Legislative and the Judiciary.  The Legislative consists of 712 members....all who have to be brought to agreement. The Legislative branch consists of the House and the Senate....I know, this is probably way more than you wanted to know.  I only mention this in order to stress some of the limitations of the Presidency.  At least he is involved and engaged.

One of the biggest problems are the special interests each member of the legislative serves....they have to please a lot of people to even be in office....it´s expensive to run a campaign.  We need serious campaign finance reform.

I´m still glad Obama is in office.....but he needs an educated, active and involved citizenry to get the job done.  He told us in the beginning, "Make me do it".

Big mistake !

Americans must drive big cars and eat three huge hamburgers at each sitting. This is their god given "human rights". They like paying others in green back dollars, which we all know are actually  worthless, All Saudi King has to do is to start charging Euros for his oil.

Is it not time to bring democracy to Saudi Arabia yet? They have oil too; dont they?

We miss old Bush and Cheney !  They were so practical, so American....

 Been signing these for about 3 years now! When are they actually going to do some good??

How do you think you got rid of Bush?

Unless Obama himself is a fake, you are winning...

I didn´t get rid of Bush, the American people did!  I am still signing regardless by the way...............