President Barack Obamas long-awaited speech last week in Cairo covered so much territory, and addressed such a range of issues related to Islam, Israel and the Middle East, that its not surprising that reactions among religious leaders covered similarly wide terrain.
Interviews this week with leading clerics of Jewish and Christian denominations in the Denver area revealed both praise and criticism along with caution and skepticism in reaction to the presidents June 4 address.
As of press time, the Intermountain Jewish News had not heard from a spokesman for the Colorado Muslim Society, currently without an imam, the position that routinely speaks for regional Islamic concerns.
The Rev. Cheryl Morrison, a pastor at Arvadas Faith Bible Chapel, a Protestant congregation with a long history of supporting Israel and Israelis, expressed hope that Obamas address might help ease tensions between the Western and Islamic worlds.
Im hoping that moderate Muslims will be willing to hear that our president is trying to help. I truly think thats his goal.
Rev. Morrison was also heartened by Obamas stated commitment to Israel, and at the same time concerned over the presidents insistence that Israel stop expanding its settlements on the West Bank. Read also IJN commentary on Obama’s speech
I was very encouraged by his statement that the United States has an unbreakable bond with Israel. It was reassuring to hear that. Obama also said that [Muslims] must recognize Israels right to exist, and I appreciate him saying that.
On the other hand, what was very troubling to me was his statement about not building anything in the settlements. He reinforces to the world something that isnt true, that those settlements are not legal. That is not right. The settlements are there because the Israeli government gave them the legal right to be there, and they have not revoked that legal right.
Rev. Morrison said she found it ludicrous for Obama to impose restrictions on Israeli settlement building while at the same time seeming to give Iran the go-ahead to develop nuclear energy.
I have good friends in a couple of those settlements Ariel and Karnei Shomron, to be specific. What its saying to my friends who have children who get married is that their children cannot live in the same community with them.
Thats like the president telling me and all of my friends in Arvada, No more building in Arvada. Your children cannot live there with you.
Overall, the minister said, Obamas speech made her less optimistic for the chances for an Israeli-Palestinian peace. She remains dissatisfied with what appears to be a double standard. While considerable pressure is brought to bear on Israel for settlement expansion, no similar pressure is applied to Palestinians for something as basic as recognizing Israels right to exist as a Jewish state.
I think he was very wise to stay away from specifics, she said. What it really comes down to is the Israelis and the Arabs have to be the ones, with guidance, to come to the table together. Somehow, there must arise among the Arabs somebody who has the courage to say, No more war, no more terror, our children are more valuable than this. If that happens, then that changes the whole tenor of the Middle East.
CALLING it a very worthy try, Rabbi Richard Rheins, spiritual leader of Temple Sinai, said Obamas speech was a landmark effort to improve the damaged Western-Islamic relationship.
I understand what hes trying to do, said the rabbi, adding that he spoke to his congregation on this subject last Shabbat.
When you come to someones home you try to be gracious and polite and bring up positive subjects and express your desire to have some positive connection.
The first task that he tried to accomplish was that as the leader of America hes interested in establishing a positive rapport with the Arab-Muslim world. Insofar as his speech seemed to be very positively received by that community, I think it will be successful in easing tensions. Read also columnist Tehilla Goldberg’s reaction to Obama’s speech
Whether that actually results in a peace initiative or a resolution of outstanding issues, that will, of course, require time to tell, Rabbi Rheins said.
The rabbi also praised Obama for not putting forth a specific peace initiative.
The more specific he would get he would be setting himself up for a fall, because you have criteria that are easily measured.
Rabbi Rheins was also concerned that Obama might put forth ideas that would win great applause in Cairo but would have caused great horror in Jerusalem and the Jewish world.
Although Obamas insistence on a halt to all Israeli settlement growth might not qualify as horror, Rabbi Rheins feels that it was problematic.
Certainly, that was something where I wish he would have had a little more understanding. The settlers are not all wild-eyed fanatics. Many of them are hard-working young families that are simply trying to make a go of it.
Rabbi Rheins said it should be kept in mind that the legality of Israeli settlement on the West Bank has yet to be precisely defined is the land Israeli, Jordanian, Palestinian? and the Jews historical association with that land should not be ignored.
And yet, quite honestly, he was speaking in Cairo and he had to offer something that had a sympathetic ear to their complaints, the rabbi says.
The rabbi also thinks its significant that Obama made a point of first stressing, with nice rhetorical flourish, the Holocaust, the historical role of anti-Semitism and the wrongness of Holocaust denial.
Barack Obama, like every other president, is given the responsibility to look after United States interests, first and foremost. I have no doubt that he represents the position that if we can find compromise to reach peace in the region that will contribute to the stability of the US.
TAKING a less partisan and more measured approach was Archbishop Charles Chaput, the ecclesiastical leader of Roman Catholics in the greater Denver area.
The archbishop found the presidents comments lacking in historical context, but not totally without value.
The presidents comments had important value to the degree that they reassured many Muslims about the good will of the new administration, Archbishop Chaput said. Its not clear how or whether those words will have any lasting effect. Read also columnist Dennis Prager’s reaction to Obama’s speech
I was disappointed by the talks grasp of history. The record of the Western-Islamic encounter, and specifically Jewish, Christian and Muslim relations, is difficult and very complicated. Serious injustices including acts of violence, conquest and discrimination have been committed by people of all three religious communities over the centuries.
So good words are a start, but history cant be healed unless sincere repentance and a sincere desire for reconciliation are shown by Christians, Jews and Muslims equally.
The archbishop would not venture to characterize Obamas speech as too harsh, too easy or just about right on Israel.
The people best equipped to answer that are the Israelis themselves, he said.
I think the presidents remarks were important for their emotional value. A fresh wind can sometimes create new possibilities. But the Arab-Israeli dilemma has intractable elements that wont be solved with words or an attitude adjustment.
Asked whether the presidents speech changed his feelings regarding the chances for an eventual Israeli-Palestinian peace, Archbishop Chaput said feelings have nothing to do with it.
Im not sure anyones feelings finally matter. Peace will not come from feelings. Peace will come from patience, realism and honest self-criticism on both sides. Until that happens, feelings are a distraction.
The archbishop recommended that people temper their expectations, describing the Cairo speech as Obamas energetic, but still quite early, foray into the morass of Middle East politics.
The president is barely six months into his term, he said. Ultimately, like any leader, hell be judged by his results, but I think its a bit early to expect a detailed plan to solve the thorniest political issue in modern history.
