VOA标准英语2013--Israelis, Palestinians Skeptical Over Success of Obama Visit

 

Israelis, Palestinians Skeptical¹ Over Success of Obama Visit

In Arab East Jerusalem, Mohamed Abu Ghadan operates this parking lot owned by his family for 70 years. He is looking forward to President Obama's visit. But like many people here, he says he does not expect a breakthrough in the stalled peace talks.

"In my opinion this is just a waste of time. It's not for the benefit of the Palestinian cause. It for the benefit of our cousins [the Jews]," he said.

Obama is to meet with political leaders in Israel and the occupied West Bank. But photographer Mahfouz Abu Turk says Palestinians believe the U.S. government has favored Israel so much that it can no longer be a mediator².

"I don't think the visit of Obama will do anything for the Palestinian people because until now he has shown that he doesn't have the political will to make dramatic changes in the region," he said. "We are not on Obama's agenda at least right now," he said.

Palestinians are asking if a U.S.-backed two-state solution is still possible, with a Palestinian state and Israel co-existing peacefully.

"If you can answer this question, Mr. Obama, of course, you are very much needed here. Of course, your influence is very important and, of course, let's look for practical steps to reach that goal. If not let's be creative enough to think differently," said Mahdi Abdul Hadi, who heads a Palestinian research group in East Jerusalem.

A kilometer away in Jewish West Jerusalem, Israelis express the same despair. 

"I don't think there will be a big change because this region is so complicated and so full of problems that it can be changed," said homemaker Jacqueline Dewek.

Tensions over Iran's nuclear program, the political upheavals³ in Arab countries, and Syria's civil war will figure in the trip, says Israeli analyst⁴ Danny Rubinstein. But Obama's three-day focus on Israel and the Palestinian territories shows he wants to be involved in the peace process.

"My hope is that he will talk with us and with the Palestinians about how to renew the peace process and not only renew it. We don't need the peace process for the process. We need it to solve the problem," said Rubinstein.

Daniel Madmon agrees. He recently finished his mandatory⁵ service in the Israeli army.

"Obama, I think, will find Israel is much more prepared for peace than he thinks," he said.

His message to the U.S. president: bring us peace. 

1 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

2 mediator   

n.调解人，中介人

参考例句：

• He always takes the role of a mediator in any dispute.他总是在争论中充当调停人的角色。
• He will appear in the role of mediator.他将出演调停者。

3 upheavals   

突然的巨变( upheaval的名词复数 )； 大动荡； 大变动； 胀起

参考例句：

• the latest upheavals in the education system 最近教育制度上的种种变更
• These political upheavals might well destroy the whole framework of society. 这些政治动乱很可能会破坏整个社会结构。

4 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

5 mandatory   

adj.命令的；强制的；义务的；n.受托者

参考例句：

• It's mandatory to pay taxes.缴税是义务性的。
• There is no mandatory paid annual leave in the U.S.美国没有强制带薪年假。