Jerusalem - US President Barack Obama called Tuesday for people in the Middle East to look toward the possibilities of a future where the region has moved past its current strife. "Consider what can be achieved if we moved beyond our differences," he said in a video address to a conference in Israel, "if a secure Israel and independent Palestine are at peace, Arab states commit to genuine reconciliation, if new partnerships were forged across the region to advance health and education, clean energy and innovation, if we overcome the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction."
Obama urged against pessimism, even amid the currently stalled Middle East peace process.
"It's easy to grow disheartened," he said. "But together we must keep our eyes fixed on the future that we want to build. History shows us what is possible. Israel's story tells us that possible odds can be overcome."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke, too, saying that peace with the Palestinians was possible but would require courage and leadership on both sides.
Israeli President Shimon Peres's three-day Facing Tomorrow conference has more than 3,000 participants. Obama was being represented at the conference by Susan Rice, US ambassador to the United Nations.
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and British former prime minister Tony Blair, now serving as special envoy for the Mideast Quartet of the United States, UN, EU and Russia, were also in attendance.
