White House Calls Netanyahu Speech 'Important Step Forward' in Peace Process

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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/14/white-house-calls-netanyahu-speech-important-step-forward/


The White House praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conditional endorsement Sunday of a Palestinian state as an "important step forward" in the Middle East peace process, even as Palestinian leaders condemned the prime minister's terms as unreasonable.

The conservative Israeli leader for the first time conditionally endorsed the creation of a Palestinian state. Speaking near Tel Aviv, he said Israel would be ready to accept such a state provided the Palestinians recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people, as well as demilitarize their territories and offer security guarantees for Israel.

"The president welcomes the important step forward in Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a written statement. "The president is committed to two states, a Jewish state of Israel and an independent Palestine, in the historic homeland of both peoples. He believes this solution can and must ensure both Israel's security and the fulfillment of the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations for a viable state, and he welcomes Prime Minister Netanyahu's endorsement of that goal."

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Wow so Netanyahu rejects stopping the settlement building, says Palestinians can never control own airspace, or have Jerusalem as a capital, and has to say Israel has a right to be a Jewish state (means no refugee return) and Obama says it's a step forward?

Hell it's a total rebuke of what Obama wanted other then he mentioned a 2 state solution.

Sounds like to me Obama is all talk on this thing. No way what Israel offered will be enough to stop Hamas and Hezzbolah from wanting to continue the fight.

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Ha! Yeah, Bibi wants two states. First, he said he's for two states, and then he outlined all the restrictions that would be placed on this mythical Palestinian state, in effect, ensuring that no state ever exists.

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Ha! Yeah, Bibi wants two states. First, he said he's for two states, and then he outlined all the restrictions that would be placed on this mythical Palestinian state, in effect, ensuring that no state ever exists.

Right so really Obama should have came out, if he was serious, and said listen this is not good enough. If Israel wants to keep getting American aid they will have to do better etc etc. Instead it's like putting ball back in the palesitians court and saying Israel gave you some things so now you have to conceed something. But really Israel didn't say anything close to what Obama said he wanted from them.

IMO Obama will not be playing hardball on this one. This is all more Obama political theater and he is really good at it.

I could care less because I am Pro-Israel for the most part. I was upset when Bush SR lost because of the Jewish lobby. He mentioned sanctions, put some restrictions on cluster bombs etc i think it was, and didn't get any Jewish money the following election.

Obama knows his holloywood friends will bail on him if he moves too hard against the fatherland!!!

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I think both dems and repubs end up about same on this issue, except the Dems are more two faced. They talk tough on Israel but never are. Repubs more just well it is what it is and Israel is our friend.