
President Obama gave his speech in Cairo in the aftermath of the most brutal
offensive in the history of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, an
offensive which claimed the lives of 1,414 Palestinians and injured 5,303, the
vast majority of whom were civilians. He gave his speech in the context of the
nearly two year long siege of the Gaza Strip, the annexation of occupied East
Jerusalem, and the strangulation and bantustanisation of the West
Bank. He gave his speech as the President of America, one of the most powerful
men in the World, and a key player in Middle Eastern politics. True, this was
perhaps not the venue for detailed policy statements or concrete action. But it
was the venue for real affirmation of policy, for words that were substantial
and not merely eloquent, for real change, and an acknowledgement of the
equality of humanity and the necessity that the individual and the rule of law
be placed above the political. In 1957, in response to the British, French and
Israeli invasion of the Suez, former American President Eisenhower simply said
‘enough’ and three major powers withdrew. This is the power of President
Obama’s office. He is no longer a university professor addressing students; he
is the President of America addressing the world. There must be content to his
words, and this content must be translated into reality. Until a true shift in
American foreign policy is realized, based not on political gestures, but on
the principles of human rights and the rule of law – principles espoused by
President Obama in his speech – nothing will change.