Obama: Israel crossed the line by taking Palestinian lands

Former US President Barack Obama stated that Israel has overstepped by taking Palestinian land and that it is natural for Palestinians to demand the return of their territories. The Jerusalem Post published remarks by Obama in which he said Israel “took land from people and was excessive in doing so,” in reference to its treatment of the Palestinian population. During an interview with journalist Susan McKay, Obama addressed the Palestinian reaction to the establishment of the occupation state, saying it was understandable that they “said, quite reasonably: This is injustice, and I want my land back.”

Speaking about the repercussions of the October 7 attack and the war in the Middle East, Obama argued that continued hostility toward Tel Aviv underscores the need for a “genuine” ceasefire, paving the way for a long-term resolution to the conflict. He noted that the Jewish people have suffered “persecution, discrimination, and killing over thousands of years,” pointing out that Europe was responsible for much of it, and added that the Jewish quest for a sanctuary is “undeniable.” However, he emphasized that “what is also undeniable is that they took land from people, and were excessive in doing so.”

Obama warned that Israel’s reliance on its military and technological superiority, which fosters the belief that its security can be achieved by “doing whatever it needs to do and taking whatever it wants” without making concessions, may succeed in the short term but will ultimately lead to the loss of its “moral ground.” Conversely, Obama pointed out that millions of Israelis and Palestinians “will not go anywhere,” urging Israelis to consider the future of their children and grandchildren and to ask whether their future will be based on “hiding behind walls and eliminating everyone around them,” or on finding a just way to defend themselves while adhering to ethical conduct.

He also called on Palestinians to recognize that they cannot “outkill” or “outarm” the Israelis, highlighting the necessity of exploring other means to bring about change, including “nonviolent strategies,” while acknowledging that achieving this “will take some time.”