President Obama's trip to Israel Part One

President Obama's much anticipated trip to Israel is on... Courtesy of Transcripts at Daily Kos, here are the President's opening remarks during his arrival ceremony. And here are some excerpts.

I’m so honored to be here as you prepare to celebrate the 65th anniversary of a free and independent State of Israel.  Yet I know that in stepping foot on this land, I walk with you on the historic homeland of the Jewish people.

More than 3,000 years ago, the Jewish people lived here, tended the land here, prayed to God here.  And after centuries of exile and persecution, unparalleled in the history of man, the founding of the Jewish State of Israel was a rebirth, a redemption unlike any in history.

Today, the sons of Abraham and the daughters of Sarah are fulfilling the dream of the ages -- to be “masters of their own fate” in “their own sovereign state.”  And just as we have for these past 65 years, the United States is proud to stand with you as your strongest ally and your greatest friend.....

....So as I begin this visit, let me say as clearly as I can --the United States of America stands with the State of Israel because it is in our fundamental national security interest to stand with Israel.  It makes us both stronger.  It makes us both more prosperous.  And it makes the world a better place. 

That’s why the United States was the very first nation to recognize the State of Israel 65 years ago.  That’s why the Star of David and the Stars and Stripes fly together today.  And that is why I’m confident in declaring that our alliance is eternal, it is forever – lanetzach.

Powerful words that send a message to both those Israelis and those around the world that the U.S. recognizes the long history of the Jewish people and our connection to the land. Considering the delegitimization efforts on the parts of the new anti-Israel movement, the President's powerful statements send a message that these efforts will not succeed.

Also (again thanks to the Transcripts editors at DKos.. here are the President's remarks with President Obama and President Peres):

In this, President Peres spoke about the terror that is faced from Hamas rockets but also the threat from Syria and having their chemical weapons stock fall into Jihadi hands. And he ended with these words:

"Your visit is a historic step in that direction.  We shall journey with you all the way.  Thank you."

President Obama responded with this:

"Well, thank you, President Peres, for your very generous words and your warm welcome.  It is wonderful to be here once again.  I first visited you when I was still a senator and had the opportunity to visit the lovely garden, and for me to be able to bring a tree from the United States that will find a home in that garden I think is symbolic of not only the friendship between our two nations, but between the two of us personally...

Their (Israeli children's) dreams are much the same as children everywhere.  In another sense, though, their lives reflect the difficult realities that Israelis face every single day.  They want to be safe.  They want to be free from rockets that hit their homes or their schools.  They want a world where science and technology is created to build and not destroy.  They want to live in peace, free from terror and threats that are so often directed at the Israeli people.  That’s the future that they deserve.  That’s the vision that is shared by both our nations.  And that is Shimon Peres's life work....

......This obligation to future generations I think was well symbolized by the tree planting that we started our meeting with. The Talmud recounts the story of Honi, the miracle worker, who saw a man planting a carob tree.  And he asked the man, how long before this tree yields fruit?  To which the man responded, “Seventy years.”  And so Honi asked, “Are you sure you'll be alive in another 70 years to see it?”  And the man replied, “When I came into the world, I found carob trees.  As my forefathers planted for me, so will I plant for my children.”

President Peres I think understands that story well.  And so we want to all thank you for all the seeds you’ve planted -- the seeds of progress, the seeds of security, the seeds of peace --  all the seeds that have helped not only Israel grow but also the relationship between our two nations grow.  And I believe that if we tend to them, if we nurture them, they will yield fruit in every hill and valley of this land, not only for the children we met today but for Israelis, for Palestinians, for Arabs across the region.  That's not only good for the children of this region, but it’s good for my children and the children of America."

Meanwhile the Times of Israel is "liveblogging" talks President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu

So far there is not much up but there is this:

Silvan Shalom, newly installed as a senior cabinet minister, says there isn’t much difference now between Israel and the US “as regards timing on Iran.”

Haaretz has posted a transcript of the Prime Ministers welcome speech to President Obama

On behalf of the government and the people of Israel, I come here today with a simple message for you and the American people: Thank you. Thank you for standing by Israel at this time of historic change in the Middle East.

Thank you for unequivocally affirming Israel’s sovereign right to defend itself by itself against any threat.

Thank you for enhancing Israel’s’ ability to exercise that right through generous military assistance, revolutionary missile defense programs, and unprecedented security and intelligence cooperation. (vb1 emphasis)

Thank you, Mr. President, for upholding the Jewish people’s right to a Jewish state in our historic homeland, and for boldly defending that right at the United Nations. And thank you for strengthening the unbreakable alliance between our two nations during your Presidency.

So far so good, of course there some rumblings from the Hard Right in Israel, rumblings that we have discussed here, with Naftali Bennett's party already "showing teeth" and the makeup of the new coalition already starting to show divides. As the TOI mentions:

Amir Peretz, the new environment minister, says he hopes the Obama visit will give “a start-up” to peace efforts with the Palestinians.

Just six hours into this visit, it’s already exposing the contradictions in Israel’s leadership. Peres calls Abbas a partner; Peretz and Livni, from the center-left Hatnua, speak of peace hopes. But Jewish Home’s Bennett says the talk of a Palestinian state is “surreal” — in a bad way. His colleague Uri Orbach says lots of Israelis aren’t sure Obama really cares about them. Peres says Israel “trusts” Obama on Iran. Is Netanyahu prepared to say that?

Of course Jennifer Rubin and the Republicans are already blathering about how the President really hates Israel and his "pretty words" don't really mean a thing, but, honestly what else are they going to say. After this visit their whole "masterpiece of bullshit" regarding the President will be blown away.

Meanwhile please follow the President's trip at the sources mentioned (except for at Daily Kos, where you can get the same vitriol as you can at MondoFront, or other hate sites). I will try to update as the stories come out.