Sunday, June 14, 2009

Obama welcomes Netanyahu acceptance of Palestinian state aside of "Jewish" State of israel

(Haaretz).The White House on Sunday welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's endorsement of a Palestinian state, and reiterated its commitment both to the Palestinian aspiration for sovereignty as well as Israel's security.

"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," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

[President Barack Obama] 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," said Gibbs.

"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," he added.