June 14th, 2009
03:38 PM ET
14 years ago
White House reacts to Netanyahu's speech
The White House issued the following statement from Press Secretary Robert Gibbs in response to Sunday's speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
"The President welcomes the important step forward in Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech. 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. The President will continue working with all parties – Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Arab states, and our Quartet partners – to see that they fulfill their obligations and responsibilities necessary to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a comprehensive regional peace."
Related: Israel PM calls for demilitarized Palestinian state
Bush had a verbal agreement with the Israeli's that they could continue their occupation (settlements).
That was in violation of ALL of the written agreements between all involved.
The Palestinians should denounce terrorism and suppress Hamas.
Why complicate an already complicated issue by demanding a demilitarized Palestinian state? It is a STATE is it not?
This will be almost as ludicrous as Abbas demanding Israel to demilitarize
hey, everyone can get along.... This has been in the works for about oh, three to four decades or better. Everyone has been trying to get peace in the middle east....
a Palestinian state like no other state in the world – imagine Canada or Mexico being forced by the USA to abide by the same conditions in order to exist. And needless to say the right of the Palestinians to have East Jerusalem as its capital is immediately off the table, despite the fact that it is to all intents and purposes a Palestinian enclave. This will never happen, as the other Arab countries will never recognise Israel on these terms.
Obama will never be on the right side of this as long as he accepts Hamas as legitimate. They're nothing but a proxy of Iran and extreme muslim power. Palestine is not Hamas and it never should have been.
This is much more progress that we have ever seen before. What will be interesting is how the Palestinians respond to Israel's peaceful solution. Palestinians will need to trust Israel to protect them as part of the homeland, and against Hamas if necessary. It looks like the ball is in the Palestinian court now.
BHO will continue to pressure Netanyahu with conditions. Israel needs to protect its own interests. The people and congress of the US are with Israel even though the POTUS is not.
continue to grow in direct opposition to Obama's demands.....
Netanyahu has again ignored Obama....
A great man, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Pence, you sound like an idiot. This is not the time for the administration to speak out. It is time for the Iranian people to speak out. We do not control Iran it is a rogue country. For countries that have oppressed their own people, it is up to the people to voice their concerns and make a stand for democracy.
Everyone knows that the strong-arm tactics (by all sides) don't work. Changing people's mindset won't be easy. It takes vision and laying a proper foundation for peace is crucial. This administration has done a great job.
It's all about power (subjugation of others)! Given everything else equal, it's the essence of religions! After all, Catholic & Protestants beat the crab out of each other in Ireland until...
So, until religions & superstitious crab are abolished (fat chance), don't expect too much! 🙁
Netanyahu came up short, way short. No mention of halting settlements and hardly the formula needed for an independent Palestine. It's time for Obama to get tough with the Zionists and take away their allowance. Bibi isn't going to survive in power but that's probably OK with him – he'd rather go back to chasing skirts anyway.
Palestinians kicked out of their country and homes, and have to grovel to get a piece of land.
What a terrible travesty!
Indeed, encouraging to hear!
Dear President Obama, I just wanna remind you that peace in the Middle east, the birth place of world's three major religions that preach isn't gonna be as easy as it sounds, but it's not mission impossible either.
Ride on brother, you may have already be close to your second world record. Praying4u.
Dear President Obama, I just wanna remind you that peace in the Middle east, the birth place of world's three major religions that preach *peace as a prominent aspect of their believe isn't gonna be as easy as it sounds, but it's not mission impossible either.
Ride on brother, you may have already be close to your second world record. Praying4u.
*pls compare with the first and make the corrections.
It is time to end all financial and military support for Israel.