It is nice to see a shout-out to FDL and David Dayen in that Newsy clip above…(~1:20)

Before I start in earnest, in another déjà vu moment… …”An Israeli committee approved 625 housing units in the illegal settlement of Pesgat Ze’ev north of Jerusalem, Israeli media reported during US President Barack Obama’s speech Thursday.”

Now, to put some proper perspective on Obama’s empty rhetoric, Israel’s foremost Apologist, Jeffrey Goldberg wrote…

…I’m amazed at the amount of insta-commentary out there suggesting that the President has proposed something radical and new by declaring that Israel’s 1967 borders should define — with land-swaps — the borders of a Palestinian state. I’m feeling a certain Groundhog Day effect here. This has been the basic idea for at least 12 years. This is what Bill Clinton, Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat were talking about at Camp David, and later, at Taba. This is what George W. Bush was talking about with Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert. So what’s the huge deal here? Is there any non-delusional Israeli who doesn’t think that the 1967 border won’t serve as the rough outline of the new Palestinian state?

Exactly…! It’s the same old, same old…! As Philip Weiss quipped Obama won’t have to write another speech for AIPAC on Monday…

However, did the fact, that even Shrub had sought the same damn parameters, faze the Repugs…? Nope…

Mitt Romney: Obama threw Israel ‘under the bus’ in speech

…”He has disrespected Israel and undermined its ability to negotiate peace,” Romney said. “He has also violated a first principle of American foreign policy, which is to stand firm by our friends.”

I suppose the Mittster was merely following Bibi’s cue…

Netanyahu Rejects Obama Call for Palestinian State Based on 1967 Borders

…In a statement released late Thursday, Netanyahu said such a withdrawal would jeopardize Israel’s security and leave major West Bank settlements outside Israeli borders.

“Israel appreciates President Obama’s commitment to peace,” the statement said. “Israel believes that for peace to endure between Israelis and Palestinians, the viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of the viability of the one and only Jewish state. That is why Prime Minister Netanyahu expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of U.S. commitments made to Israel in 2004. … Among other things, those commitments relate to Israel not having to withdraw to the 1967 lines.”

Israel’s Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni…

…Opposition leader Tzipi Livni, meanwhile, said that “ending the conflict by adopting the principle of two states for two people, while maintaining the security of Israel, is in Israel’s utmost interest.”

“The political stagnation endorsed by Netanyahu’s government does not serve the interests of Israel,” she said. “Netanyahu must demonstrate leadership and create the required conditions to resume negotiations.”

*ouch* A stinging rebuke… However, it was a mixed bag of reactions from the various Jewish groups…

On the Palestinian side…

Abbas calls meeting to discuss Obama speech

President Mahmoud Abbas has called an urgent meeting following US President Barrack Obama’s speech on the Middle East on Thursday, a PLO official said.

Saeb Erekat said Abbas affirmed his appreciation for Obama’s efforts to reach a comprehensive solution to the conflict and his remarks on the right to self-determination and dignity.

Erekat said the Palestinians remained committed to all previous agreements with Israel, “hoping that the Israeli government will do the same, to give the peace process the chance it deserves.”

But his tentative partners in the Islamist Hamas movement immediately called on Obama to take “concrete steps” not merely issue “slogans” in support of Palestinian independence and an end to Israeli occupation.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, however, said Obama’s speech amounted to “throwing dust in the eyes.” Hamas, he said, calls on the Palestinian leadership not to hang its hopes on the speech and to coordinate with Palestinian factions to confront “US-Israeli arrogance.”

To sum it up, here’s an excellent analysis from the Palestinian solidarity community… Rosa Parks’s bus doesn’t stop in this country…

And, finally… “I can’t hear you”

*gah*