Monday
May042009
Israeli President Shouted Down By Protesters
By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service
Israeli President Shimon Peres spoke today in favor of peace in the Middle East, but some in the audience likely couldn’t hear his call, as protesters within the room shouted him down. Three eruptions of protesters in the audience were stopped by police. The protesters shouted from tabletops and waved signs saying “stop the occupation” and “free gaza.” This all transpired at the Washington DC Convention Center, at a conference led by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Peres spoke of his commitment to the peace process, saying that one of the big challenges they all faced was to “disconnect religion from terror”, so extremists are not killing in the name of a higher power.
“History is on the side of peace... history’s on our side,” Peres said. He continued that the extremists leading Iran “are on the wrong side of history.” Peres acknowledged that most Iranians are good people whom he respects, but pointed his finger at extremists like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as being the problem.
“Iran is not threatened by anybody,” Peres said, and continued that Iran’s new missile programs are unnecessary. He said that Iran’s missile development and nuclear program are a threat to Israel “and the global community at large.”
Peres said that he trusts President Obama to make meaningful bilateral negotiations, and to contribute significantly to the peace process.
Israeli President Shimon Peres spoke today in favor of peace in the Middle East, but some in the audience likely couldn’t hear his call, as protesters within the room shouted him down. Three eruptions of protesters in the audience were stopped by police. The protesters shouted from tabletops and waved signs saying “stop the occupation” and “free gaza.” This all transpired at the Washington DC Convention Center, at a conference led by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Peres spoke of his commitment to the peace process, saying that one of the big challenges they all faced was to “disconnect religion from terror”, so extremists are not killing in the name of a higher power.
“History is on the side of peace... history’s on our side,” Peres said. He continued that the extremists leading Iran “are on the wrong side of history.” Peres acknowledged that most Iranians are good people whom he respects, but pointed his finger at extremists like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as being the problem.
“Iran is not threatened by anybody,” Peres said, and continued that Iran’s new missile programs are unnecessary. He said that Iran’s missile development and nuclear program are a threat to Israel “and the global community at large.”
Peres said that he trusts President Obama to make meaningful bilateral negotiations, and to contribute significantly to the peace process.
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Barack Obama, Convention Center, Gaza, God, Iran, Iranian, Israel, Israeli, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Michael Ruhl, Middle East, Protest, Ruhl, Shimon Peres, West Bank, allah, history, michael, michael t ruhl, michaeltruhl, missiles, nuclear, nuclear programs, nuclear weapons, occupation, president, protester, religion, washington dc in News/Commentary
Barack Obama, Convention Center, Gaza, God, Iran, Iranian, Israel, Israeli, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Michael Ruhl, Middle East, Protest, Ruhl, Shimon Peres, West Bank, allah, history, michael, michael t ruhl, michaeltruhl, missiles, nuclear, nuclear programs, nuclear weapons, occupation, president, protester, religion, washington dc in News/Commentary
Pence Recognizes Dissenters In Iran
U.S. Congressman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) has introduced a resolution to show support for citizens in Iran who voted against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Rep. Pence described these citizens as being in a struggle for “freedom, civil liberties and the protection of the rule of law.” The Congressman said the resolution will also acknowledge U.S. concern over irregularities reported in the June 12 Iranian Presidential election.
Pence added that the resolution “will condemn the violence against demonstrators by pro-government militia in Tehran in the wake of the elections. It will affirm our belief in the individuality of individual rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections.”
The Congressman remarked that he appreciated President Obama’s comments yesterday about the troubling violence in Tehran. However, he believes the administration should do more to express the “unqualified support of the American people” for Iranians fighting for free elections and democracy.
“We cannot stand idly by, speak of Iran’s sovereignty, speak of her own right to choose her own leadership at a time when hundreds of thousands of Iranians are risking their lives to stand up for free elections and democracy,” added Pence.
The resolution is titled H.R. 549.