President Obama's speech

President Obama's speech to the Muslim world today was a stunning step toward achieving what has eluded the world for decades -- Middle East peace. His plan was honest and simple, with steps for all sides to take: end all settlement activity, renounce violence and build on existing Arab peace initiatives. But already obstructionists are doing all they can to derail Obama's historic efforts. We must act fast and publicly to encourage Obama to remain firm on illegal Israeli settlements and encourage the Palestinians and Arab states to outstretch their hands in peace. Only then is a new beginning for the Middle East possible. Sign the petition addressed to President Obama, and amidst the barrage of negative lobbying, advocacy and taped messages from extremists, our global campaign of hope and support will be delivered in print ads in strategically important papers in Washington and the Middle East next week. Read Obama's own words here and click now to add your name to the petition for peace: http://www.avaaz.org/en/obama_new_beginnings President Obama made clear that all parties must break clear from their entrenched positions and recognize that "the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security." Achieving this goal will not be easy. Before his speech radical groups released a series of messages demanding that Muslims reject Obama's overtures, while others in the region stuck to the same old, failed approach of letting their opponents move first. Meanwhile some in the US and Israel are pressuring the President to compromise on his rejection of settlement activity. A principled pathway is clear: all sides must accept each others' legitimate aspirations and remove the practical roadblocks to peace. Israelis must stop their settlements policy, accept the need for a viable Palestinian state and take steps to make this possible. Palestinians must adopt a unified, non-violent strategy for peace and state-building, and be prepared to recognize Israel; the Arab States need to build on their Peace Initiative, demonstrating ways to show Israelis that peace can be real. By signing the petition, and encouraging our friends and family to join us, we can all play a role in securing peace: http://www.avaaz.org/en/obama_new_beginnings