U.S., Israel share hope for peace
Obama, Netanyahu share ‘hope for peace’
President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that they haven’t given up hope for peace in the Middle East, despite a changing political and diplomatic environment that seems to make such an accomplishment impossible for the remainder of Obama’s presidency.
“I want to make clear that we have not given up our hope for peace,” Netanyahu said in brief remarks at the beginning of their Oval Office meeting Monday. “We will never give up our hope for peace.”
“I remain committed to a vision of two states for two peoples, a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state,” he said. “I don’t think that anyone should doubt Israel’s determination to protect itself and defend itself against terror and destruction. But neither should anyone doubt Israel’s willingness to make peace with any of its neighbors who want to make peace with it.”
Netanyahu’s comments sought to reassure the United States that Israel remains committed to the two-state solution despite his comments in March suggesting the opposite.
But the White House isn’t convinced, and set low expectations in advance of the meeting.
Obama has said his goal now is to try to restore enough trust that future peace talks may someday be possible.
Obama said the “strong disagreement” over the Iran deal was “no secret,” but stressed that the alliance is strong. “There’s no foreign leader I’ve met with more frequently,” he said. “I think that’s testimony to the extraordinary bond between the United States and Israel.”