United States President Barack Obama wrapped up his trip in predominantly Muslim Turkey on Tuesday with a plea to the Muslim world and to Israel to accept each other. He stated that the Islamic faith "has done so much over the centuries to shape the world - including in my own country.”
His warm praise for Islam was a clear departure from the Bush administration, which stressed the American government's "special relationship" with Israel. Immediate past American George W. Bush often noted that both countries share the values of liberty, justice and freedom.
Muslim nations, including Syria, favorably responded to the president's speech, aimed at winning Muslim confidence in American policies. However, many leaders, including Hamas leaders, said that the president would be tested by actions and not words.
During his visit in Turkey, President Obama invited the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to visit Washington. The OIC previously has prevented the United Nations from adopting a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, according to the watchdog Eye on the UN. The group wanted the Convention to include the statement, "The activities of the parties during an armed conflict, including in situations of foreign occupation....are not governed by this Convention."
President Obama reiterated his aim of resuming negotiations between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel for the establishment of a PA country in place of Judea, Samaria and Gaza with a plea to each side to understand each other.
"In the Muslim world, the notion that somehow everything is the fault of the Israelis lacks balance because there are two sides to every question," he told university students in Istanbul. He added that his "Jewish friends "have to see the perspective of the Palestinians. Learning to stand in someone else's shoes, to see through their eyes... this is how peace begins."
President Obama's aim is the same as his predecessor, but his warm praise of Muslims is part of his general election promise of a "change" in American thinking.
His appointment of George Mitchell as special envoy in the Middle East places responsibility for the negotiations closer to the White House and further away from the State Department. Mitchell is expected to visit Israel next week, and French sources stated that President Obama will visit Israel and the PA in June. American officials have not confirmed the report.