Obama's Way and Duty

Published in Rheinische Post
(Germany) on 23 March 2013
by Frank Herrmann (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Judith Meyer. Edited by Daye Lee.
If words alone could create peace, Barack Obama would almost be at his goal. Once more, he displayed his talent at expressing simple truths, even uncomfortable ones, in apt words. Once more, he promoted change and spoke out against the blockade in the Middle East. By passing over the heads of the aged, at times bullheaded, politicians and addressing students directly, Obama appealed to the youth’s power of imagination and to their ability to think differently. And by using incisive gestures, he stressed America's emotional ties to the Jewish state and guaranteed security for Israel’s existence. This promise is necessary if skeptical Israeli politicians like Benjamin Netanyahu are to consider making any concessions in the peace process.

It remains to be seen whether all of this amounts to much ado about nothing. For four years, Obama has been content with the role of passive observer — reluctant in his actions, courageous only at the lectern. This has to change. The desired two-state solution will only get its chance if Obama throws all of his weight behind it.


Könnten Worte allein Frieden schaffen, Barack Obama wäre so gut wie am Ziel. Einmal mehr bewies er sein Talent, schlichte Wahrheiten, auch unbequeme, in treffenden Worten auszusprechen. Einmal mehr warb er für den Wandel, redete gegen die Blockade im Nahen Osten. Indem er sich über die Köpfe gealterter, bisweilen sturer Politiker hinweg direkt an Studenten wandte, appellierte Obama an die Fantasie der Jungen, an deren Fähigkeit, das Denken in neue Bahnen zu lenken. Und: Mit prägnanten Gesten betonte er Amerikas emotionales Band mit dem jüdischen Staat, die Sicherheitsgarantien für die Existenz Israels. Eine Voraussetzung, damit skeptische Politiker wie Benjamin Netanjahu im Friedensprozess überhaupt etwas wagen.

Ob das alles nur viel Lärm um nichts bedeutet, bleibt offen. Vier Jahre hat sich Obama mit der Rolle des passiven Beobachters begnügt, in den Taten merkwürdig verzagt, couragiert höchstens am Rednerpult. Das muss sich ändern: Nur wenn er sein Gewicht in die Waagschale wirft, hat die angepeilte Zweistaatenlösung überhaupt eine Chance.
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