VOA标准英语2009-Palestinians, Israelis Have Mixed Reactions

Palestinian officials are hailing U.S. President Barack Obama's speech to the Muslim world as a good first step toward resolving the Middle East conflict. Israel said it hoped the U.S. president's speech will help usher¹ in a new period of reconciliation² in the region.

Something for everyone
　
Israelis watch President Barack Obama's speech from Tel Aviv cafe, 04 Jun 2009

It was a speech to which many Israelis were not looking forward to. President Barack Obama had stepped up his calls for a total freeze on Jewish settlements in the West Bank and for Israel to allow Palestinian statehood - things that Israel's leadership refuses to do.

In the end, the speech had something for everyone.

He pleased many Israelis by calling for Palestinians to abandon violence, saying the Islamist militant³ group Hamas must recognize Israel's right to exist, and calling for the prevention of a nuclear standoff with Iran.

Two-state solution
　
Palestinian family watches President Barack Obama's speech in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, 04 Jun 2009

Many Palestinians were pleased to hear the U.S. leader repeat his call for an end to Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories, and for Israel to realize the only way to resolve the conflict is - in his opinion - the two-state solution.

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the speech was a good start towards a new policy that recognizes the suffering of the Palestinians.

Political analyst⁴ Mahdi Abdel Hadi, director of the Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs in East Jerusalem says the speech contained no new ideas, but went a long way to making people feel good about the new U.S. administration's policy in the Middle East.

"It was a moving speech. The new element is [the] changing [of] the format⁵ of the political game, the tools of the political game, and the scene of the political game. It is here," he said. "It is the Middle East. It is not Washington. It is not Paris. It is not London. It is me, here, knocking on your door telling you, "Trust me, accept me, and I can make a difference."

Some concerned

Some Israelis had been concerned Mr. Obama might step up his criticism of the Jewish State and possibly unveil new policies that would be less favorable to Israel, which receives billions of dollars in U.S. aid each year.

A major Israeli newspaper showed a caricature of Mr. Obama wearing a Palestinian head scarf, indicating the belief among some Israelis that Obama favors the Palestinians.

Mr. Obama said the bond between Israel and the United States is unshakable. Some analysts⁶ say there is reason for Israel not to expect any major changes on the part of its traditional ally and supporter.

Period of reconciliation?

An Israeli government statement said Israel hopes President Obama's speech will help usher in a new period of reconciliation in the Middle East.

Political Science Professor Abraham Diskin of Hebrew University in Jerusalem says he is not optimistic Mr. Obama's strategy of softening⁷ the U.S. image to the Muslim world will bring peace.

"There is no question that Mr. obama is a great person, a bright person, a great speaker, and a person who definitely appears - and I believe truthfully - as someone who believes in a vision," he said. "I am afraid that the result of the speech today, unfortunately, is going to be at the end of the road, more violence. Too many times, when people like Obama came with such a vision, it was understood as weakness."

New attitude

While the speech contained no surprises in terms of U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it did signal what many here see as a new attitude by the United States.

This U.S. president has taken on the Middle East peace process early on in his term, unlike some of his predecessors⁸ who have stepped up pressure only at the end of their tenures.

Many here perceive this as a sign the new administration is placing a higher-than-usual priority on resolving the conflict. With that hope comes the expectation that words will be translated into actions.

1 usher   

n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员

参考例句：

• The usher seated us in the front row.引座员让我们在前排就座。
• They were quickly ushered away.他们被迅速领开。

2 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

3 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

4 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

5 format   

n.设计，版式；[计算机]格式，DOS命令:格式化(磁盘)，用于空盘或使用过的磁盘建立新空盘来存储数据；v.使格式化，设计，安排

参考例句：

• Please format this floppy disc.请将这张软盘格式化。
• The format of the figure is very tasteful.该图表的格式很雅致。

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

7 softening   

变软，软化

参考例句：

• Her eyes, softening, caressed his face. 她的眼光变得很温柔了。它们不住地爱抚他的脸。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）
• He might think my brain was softening or something of the kind. 他也许会觉得我婆婆妈妈的，已经成了个软心肠的人了。

8 predecessors   

n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身

参考例句：

• The new government set about dismantling their predecessors' legislation. 新政府正着手废除其前任所制定的法律。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Will new plan be any more acceptable than its predecessors? 新计划比原先的计划更能令人满意吗？ 来自《简明英汉词典》