WASHINGTON — Gingerly trying to advance Mideast peace, President Barack Obama on Thursday challenged Israel to stop settlement construction in the West Bank on the same day the Israelis rejected that demand. Obama pushed Palestinians for progress, too, deepening his personal involvement.
"I am confident that we can move this process forward,” Obama said after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House. The president said that means both sides must "meet the obligations that they’ve already committed to” — an element of the peace effort that has proved elusive for years.
Earlier in the day, Israel rejected blunt U.S. requests to freeze Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank, a territory that would make up the Palestinian state, along with the Gaza Strip, as part of a broader peace deal.
Obama said he told Abbas the Palestinians must find a way to halt the incitement of anti-Israeli sentiments that are sometimes expressed in schools, mosques and public arenas.
The Palestinian leader said "we are fully committed to all of our obligations” under the peace framework known as the road map. Doing so, Abbas said, is "the only way to achieve the durable, comprehensive and just peace that we need and desire in the Middle East.”
The president refused to set a timetable for a Palestinian nation but also noted he has not been slow to get involved in meeting with both sides and pushing the international community for help.
"We can’t continue with the drift, with the increased fear and resentment on both sides,” Obama said. "We need to get this thing back on track.”
by the associated press
"I am confident that we can move this process forward,” Obama said after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House. The president said that means both sides must "meet the obligations that they’ve already committed to” — an element of the peace effort that has proved elusive for years.
Earlier in the day, Israel rejected blunt U.S. requests to freeze Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank, a territory that would make up the Palestinian state, along with the Gaza Strip, as part of a broader peace deal.
Obama said he told Abbas the Palestinians must find a way to halt the incitement of anti-Israeli sentiments that are sometimes expressed in schools, mosques and public arenas.
The Palestinian leader said "we are fully committed to all of our obligations” under the peace framework known as the road map. Doing so, Abbas said, is "the only way to achieve the durable, comprehensive and just peace that we need and desire in the Middle East.”
The president refused to set a timetable for a Palestinian nation but also noted he has not been slow to get involved in meeting with both sides and pushing the international community for help.
"We can’t continue with the drift, with the increased fear and resentment on both sides,” Obama said. "We need to get this thing back on track.”
by the associated press
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