Speech Background
The former U.S. president Barack Obama’s Jerusalem speech in 2013 was meant to send a message of support to Israel. While delivering a speech to the students, Obama called on the Israeli people to demand their government make peace with Palestine (PBS NewsHour). He emphasized making peace is the only way Israel can remain a democratic and Jewish state, describing in detail for the first time the lives of Palestine under illegal occupation. The speech for peace and justice effectively uses empathy, logic, reassurance, and a call to action to reach Obama’s target demographic of 18 to 35-year-old college students.
Ethos, Logos, and Pathos are essential for persuading people to see things from an individual’s perspective. The Greek philosopher Aristotle had some ideas on persuading people using the three appeals of ethos, logos, and pathos to appeal to the audience (Varpio 207). Using the appeals can make speaking more persuasive or understand their misuse to protect oneself from manipulation. Obama effectively used ethos, logos, and pathos when addressing the students to drive a sense of belonging, logic, and empathy in the Israeli people while pointing out the misdeeds against Palestine.
Analysis of Obama’s Jerusalem Speech
Ethos
Ethos appeals to the audience by asking them to trust the person making the argument. Accordingly, it is used to convey the speaker’s credibility and authority. Obama says he came to Israel on the eve of a sacred holiday, the celebration of the Passover. The speaker’s ability to relate the history of Israelites during Passover is a practical approach to convince the audience he is trustworthy, knowledgeable, and well-meaning.
The Passover story is central to the Jewish people they have become (Clegg). Obama relates the story to himself and the Americans to acknowledge the universal human experience of the Israelites. It shows evidence that a speakers’ credibility can be bolstered using several rhetorical techniques including similitude and deference (Varpio 207). Obama’s ability to reference and connect to the Passover story associated with the Jewish culture affirms he fairly examined the issue and had the credibility and authority to address the audience.
While addressing the need for peace and tranquility, Obama carefully acknowledges Israel’s rights to peaceful existence and humanity for the Palestine people. The core issue Obama tried to address was getting sovereignty for the Palestinian people while assuring security for the Israeli people. For example, he says, “The Palestine people’s right to self-determination and justice must be recognized” (PBS NewsHour).
President Obama pointed out that continued stay in Palestine territory is detrimental to efforts to achieve peace. Palestine must be a viable sovereign country with defined borders. However, Obama acknowledges the Israeli justification to overcome relentless threats to its security and recognition of Israel’s right to exist (PBS NewsHour). The ability to effectively address injustices while recognizing the existence of conflict indicates that he is fair-minded and fairly examines the issue based on facts and individual opinions.
Barrack Obama understood the origin of the Palestine-Israel conflict, recognizing the previous effort by Israel to end the conflict. For instance, he says, “I know Israel has taken risks for peace to reach treaties with the two neighbors” (PBS NewsHour). Obama’s knowledge of the historical aspect of the conflict indicates he knows his subject, making him a credible authority to mediate and express an opinion on the issue.
The strategy exemplifies an audience-centered approach that entails building speech around the audience’ experience based on background knowledge (Lawrie 22). The speaker’s use of the first personal pronoun indicates his determination to build a bridge with the audience. For example, Obama says he believes the Israeli wants peace and has the right to be skeptical if it can be achieved because they have been confronted with anti-Semitism when they seek peace. The use of expressions like “I speak to you as a friend whom I am deeply concerned with”, shows the speaker’s endeavor to connect with and build a bridge with the audience (PBS NewsHour). Attempting to identify with the underlying issue indicates the speaker’s in-depth knowledge of the subject and trustworthiness in addressing the audience.
Logos
Logos, often called the appeal to logic, entails appealing to the audience’s sense of reason or logic. Obama appeals to the purpose of logic by acknowledging the persistent security threat Israel faces from her neighbors while appealing for justice for Palestine. For instance, Obama acknowledged that many of the Israeli neighbors have rejected its right to exist as a nation (PBS NewsHour). Therefore, it is impossible to disregard the security of Jewish people in Israel at the expense of chaotic neighbors (PBS NewsHour).
Nevertheless, Obama embodies logic in his perception of the ideal path for Israel to achieve peace. For instance, he says the only way for Israel to endure and thrive as a Jewish and democratic state is by realizing an independent and viable Palestine (PBS NewsHour). His use of historical and literal analogy to make a logical argument for achieving peace between Israel and Palestine demonstrates that he is honest and principled.
A resolve and commitment to peace entails the preservation of humanity and rights. Therefore, appeals for recognizing Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and justice. For example, Obama urges the Israelites to put themselves in Palestine people’s “shoes” and look at the world through their “eyes” (PBS NewsHour).
By shoes and eyes, Obama appeals to logic to preserve humanity and justice for oppressed Palestinians. He points out that it is now fair for a Palestinian child cannot grow up in a state of their own. Obama’s use of resigned tone help revokes empathy and drive in the point that the misery the People of Palestine are undergoing is unjust and unwarranted for their children. He points out that it is wrong to prevent Palestinians from farming their land or restrict students’ abilities to move around the West Bank because it undermines their fundamental human rights (PBS NewsHour). Barack Obama makes logical connections between ideas and includes factors in this context to make the audience understand the importance of respect for humanity in pursuing peaceful coexistence.
A credible proposal for peace and extension of friendship can sometimes be undermined by aggression from either party. Therefore, Obama emphasizes that Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with anyone dedicated to destruction. Logically, peace is achievable only through will and commitment to pursue common ground. The speaker uses an example of an Israeli child, Osher Twito, who the audience recognizes to emphasize why Israel must protect itself (PBS NewsHour). Through the child story, he appeals to the audience’s sense of reason and clarifies why Israel must invest in the defense system while pursuing peace with its neighbors.
Pathos
Pathos, often known as the appeal to emotion, is a literary appeal used to persuade listeners by deliberately invoking feelings to make them feel the way the speaker intends. The speaker used the Passover to reference centuries of slavery and years of wandering in the desert to evoke emotions about how the Israelites suffered. The reference to the Passover, a story of perseverance amidst persecution, is intended to evoke empathy and seek an audience later when Obama appeals for justice for the Palestinians.
For example, he uses the analogy of young Palestinian age 15-22 to revoke emotions in the audience (PBS NewsHour). Obama says he believes those children deserve the same opportunities as his kids and those of Israelite Parents to prosper and live a peaceful life. Similarly, his reference to Dr. Martin Luther King’s words before his death helps reinforce his appeal for empathy in emphasizing the importance of achieving justice and dignity for Palestinian children who yearn for a better life.
Political leaders can be complacent in implementing policies for a better nation without the public pressure. Obama used an affirmative tone to urge the audience and the people of Israel to exercise their power to create the change they need to see. In his speech, he says, “Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things” to make the audience feel powerful in creating the change they need (PBS NewsHour). Similarly, he bestows responsibility on the current generation he addresses, who has not learned reasons to mistrust and can overcome the legacy inherited from their parents to make things right (PBS NewsHour). The speech helps the audience feel entrusted and valuable as the bridge to recognize they hold more hopes in common than fears that drive them apart from Palestinians.
Tone and Body Language During the Speech
The tone used in Obama’s speech was frequently from reassuring, affirmative, empathetic to resigned, depending on the issue he was addressing. For example, Obama uses a reassuring and affirmative tone at the beginning of his speech when he declares unwavering support of the U.S. for Israel’s determination to preserve its vibrant democracy. He acknowledges the Jewish tradition and Passover to initiate the story of finding freedom and universal human experience with its suffering and salvation.
The persuasion approach is informed by personal character of the speaker, putting audience into certain frame of mind using proof by logic (Isai et al. 21). At some points in the speech, Obama uses an empathetic and resigned tone to show understanding and care about the people’s needs. For example, the tonal variation he uses to acknowledge the security threats Israel faces and the need to preserve dignity and humanity when dealing with Palestine embodies an empathetic tone.
Barrack Obama had a presidential and upright posture, with some sense of dignity and composure while speaking on the podium. He looked energetic and expansive with overall leadership presence as he was lively in emotions and gestures. Additionally, he was upfront and straightforward with the audience, implying he was more engaging and inspiring to the people (Isai et al. 22). Obama was sharp, pricky, and precise in his movements, much like an intellectual. Similarly, he was dynamic and flexible while on stage, with just a hint of playfulness and fun to have a real sense of impact and charisma.
Works Cited
Clegg, Ellen. “‘Passover Is a Reminder of the Importance of the Journey.’” Jewish Journal. 2022. Web.
Isai, Krishnan Isai Amutan, et al. “Using Rhetorical Approach of Ethos, Pathos and Logos by Malaysian Engineering Students in Persuasive Email Writings.” Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), vol. 5, no. 4. 2020, pp. 19–33. Web.
Lawrie, Robert. “An Audience Analysis of the Effectiveness of a Speech: A Blueprint for Planning Successful Motivational Speeches.” Nova Southeastern University, 2021, pp. 1–72. Web.
PBS NewsHour. “Watch President Obama’s Full Speech in Jerusalem.” YouTube. 2013. Web.
Varpio, Lara. “Using Rhetorical Appeals to Credibility, Logic, and Emotions to Increase Your Persuasiveness.” Perspectives on Medical Education, vol. 7, no. 3, 2018, pp. 207–10. Web.