March 21, 2013
In his first trip abroad since his re-election, President Barack Obama visits Israel, Ramallah and Jordan from March 20 to 23, 2013. Throughout his visit to Israel, he restates America’s unwavering commitment to Israel and its people, security and future. He also repeats his call for Israelis to step forward and make agreements with the Palestinians. Less than five months after the visit, his administration begins a full-scale effort to broker accords between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Obama delivers his March 21 address in Jerusalem to an audience of approximately 600 university students. The speech has the feel of a campaign address and is broadcast on radio and television across the country. Some Israeli politicians criticize the speech because it is not held at the Knesset.
Obama emotionally encourages Israeli youth to embrace a peaceful future with the Palestinians. That plea for a two-state solution for two peoples receives prolonged applause. The longest applause is reserved for this remark: “But make no mistake — those who adhere to the ideology of rejecting Israel’s right to exist, they might as well reject the earth beneath them or the sky above because Israel is not going anywhere.”
