What they are saying

CAIRO Egypt — Experts, U.S. lawmakers and ordinary people involved in Middle East politics voiced a variety of reactions to President Obama's speech Thursday. A sample:

"I am very concerned about President Obama's comments that Iran has a right to nuclear materials for energy, given the dangerous fact that some of those materials could get into the hands of terrorists including Iran's proxies, Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad."

Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi

"Speaking directly to the Muslim people, he broached issues that have never really been addressed to the Arab world before now. We share the president's genuine quest for respect, tolerance and peace. ... We are disappointed that the president found the need to balance the suffering of the Jewish people in a genocide to the suffering of the Palestinian people resulting from Arab wars."

Glen Lewy

National director,

The Anti-Defamation League

"We are facing a new and different policy toward Israel and the Palestinians. The message is for Israel: It is time to stop the settlements, it is time to build a Palestinian state."

Nabil Abu Rudeineh

"I think it (the speech) was an absolute triumph."

Nancy Pelosi

"I am still very concerned about the question of the Israeli-Palestinian issue vis-à-vis Iran. What I did not hear is enough emphasis on the root causes of what is going on in the Middle East, and that is the sponsorship of terrorist activity by the regime in Iran."

Eric Cantor

"We share President Obama's hope that the American effort heralds the beginning of a new era that will bring about an end to the conflict and lead to Arab recognition of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people, living in peace and security in the Middle East."

Israeli government statement

"I think the president delivered a thoughtful and optimistic speech. But I do have some concerns. ... With regard to the Palestinian-Israel issue, he seemed to place equal blame on the Israelis and the Palestinians. I have concerns about this. The Israelis have a right to defend themselves."

Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio

"A lot of people expect Obama to be the savior and create a world of utopia, but policy is policy. ... It is paving the way for change.

But will there be a state of Palestine in Obama's administration? I doubt it."

Menna El Massry, 19