At a town hall meeting in Tampa, Fla. Thursday, Obama declined under questioning to condemn Israel for actions against the Palestinians. He said Israel is a strong U.S. ally and that he will never waver from helping Israel keep its people safe in a hostile Middle East,but that Washington must also pay attention to the plight of the Palestinians, Reuters reported.
"We are working to try to strengthen the ability of both parties to have to sit down across the table," he said in Tampa, Florida.
Obama called Israel "one of our strongest allies,It's critical for us, and I will never waver from ensuring Israel's security." and added that "the Palestinians have to unequivocally renounce violence and recognize Israel. And Israel has to acknowledge legitimate grievances and interests of the Palestinians. We have to realize both the Palestinians and Israelis have legitimate aspirations."
Obama said the Israeli premier "is making some effort to move a little bit further than his coalition wants to go."
Obama said Abbas "genuinely wants peace" but has to deal with Hamas, a militant group that refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist. Abbas, a pro-U.S. moderate, is also weakened by Hamas's control of the Gaza Strip while he governs only in the West Bank.
But he cautioned both sides against "mutual demonization" that threatens to jeopardize the resumption of peace negotiations.
"We are working to try to strengthen the ability of both parties to have to sit down across the table," he said in Tampa, Florida.
Obama called Israel "one of our strongest allies,It's critical for us, and I will never waver from ensuring Israel's security." and added that "the Palestinians have to unequivocally renounce violence and recognize Israel. And Israel has to acknowledge legitimate grievances and interests of the Palestinians. We have to realize both the Palestinians and Israelis have legitimate aspirations."
Obama said the Israeli premier "is making some effort to move a little bit further than his coalition wants to go."
Obama said Abbas "genuinely wants peace" but has to deal with Hamas, a militant group that refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist. Abbas, a pro-U.S. moderate, is also weakened by Hamas's control of the Gaza Strip while he governs only in the West Bank.
But he cautioned both sides against "mutual demonization" that threatens to jeopardize the resumption of peace negotiations.