Obama: Chances of Israeli-Palestinian peace are 'dim'
US President Barack Obama has sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for vowing to oppose a Palestinian state, saying the prospects for a two-state solution in the Middle East are now "dim."
Obama said Tuesday he has “substantial” policy difference with Netanyahu and the US is considering whether to back Palestinian efforts to seek UN recognition for an independent state.
“There still does not appear to be a prospect of a meaningful framework established that would lead to a Palestinian state,” Obama said.
Obama also described the cold relationship with Netanyahu as "businesslike" amid unprecedented hostility in their ties.
The US president made the remarks at the White House during a joint news conference with Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani to discuss the US military presence in that country.
Netanyahu had stated shortly before last week’s Israeli elections that he rejected the idea of a Palestinian state, which has been a key element of US foreign policy.
He backtracked on his comments after he was reelected, but the White House believes the damage has already been done.
Even if you accept Netanyahu’s reversal in position, “it’s hard to envision” how to get to a secure Palestinian state, Obama said
"Netanyahu, in the election run-up, stated that a Palestinian state would not occur while he was prime minister and I took him at his word that that's what he meant.”
"Afterwards, he (Netanyahu) pointed out that he didn't say 'never,' but that there would be a series of conditions in which a Palestinian state could potentially be created," Obama said. "But, of course, the conditions were such that they would be impossible to meet any time soon."
The American leader also said he would reevaluate the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv following Netanyahu’s comments.
His comments were the latest evidence that the toxic relationship between the White House and the Zionist regime has reached a new low.
During the news conference, Obama refused to comment on reports of Israel’s espionage on nuclear talks between Iran and the world powers.
AHT/AGB
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