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Obama Connects With Israeli Youth

Just as fascinating as the messages Obama conveyed at the Israeli Convention Center in Jerusalem was the way they were received by the young audience, writes Mazal Mualem. 
Students listen to U.S. President Barack Obama talk at the Jerusalem Convention Center in Jerusalem, March 21, 2013. President Obama, delivering a keynote speech to Israeli students, said on Thursday that continued settlement activity was "counterproductive" to peace and urged Israelis to accept the Palestinians' right to self-determination.  REUTERS/Larry Downing  (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS EDUCATION) - RTR3F9ZD
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The power of the address delivered by US President Barack Obama [March 21] lay not only in the carefully chosen words that struck the right chord with the Israeli-Jewish experience in all its poignancy, fears, victories and hopes. But it was perhaps best expressed in the outburst of warmth that the young audience exuded toward the podium in reaction to the president’s address, even when he touched on the suffering of the Palestinians and their “just” aspiration for statehood.

What happened in the audience was as fascinating as the speech itself. Although it was clear that a favorable young audience had been selected a priori, those in attendance could feel that there was much more than just a sense of endearment and respect for the president. As planned, Obama was able to address the Israeli public directly, skillfully turning from an almost hostile figure into a true, caring and embracing friend. 

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