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Palestinians Must Accept Israel: Netanyahu

By the Associated Press

Posted May 18, 2009 2:09 PM CDT

(AP) – In a White House meeting today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is ready to resume peace talks with the Palestinians immediately, but any agreement is contingent on their acceptance of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. Netanyahu and President Obama met for more than two hours and focused on Mideast peace talks, Iran's nuclear program, and the US-Israeli relationship.

Obama said the US wanted to bring Iran into the world community, but declared "we're not going to have talks forever." At the same time, Obama said bluntly that it was important that Netanyahu, a hardliner on peace negotiations with the Palestinians, get back to the negotiating table. "All the parties involved have to take seriously obligations that they have previously agreed to," the president said.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office. (AP Photo)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks towards President Barack Obama as he speaks. (AP Photo)

Obama and Netanyahu in the Oval Office. (AP Photo)

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We have seen progress stalled on this front, and I suggested to the prime minister that he has a historic opportunity to get a serious movement on this issue during his tenure. - President Barack Obama

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COMMENTS

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woodyTX

May 18, 2009 9:11 AM CDT

Is the US asking for blacks and hispanics to recognize it as a white anglo-saxon country ? Does anyone think for a moment that Netanyahu believes the right for Israel to exist depends on the opinion of the Palestinians ? It's ludicrous for Israel to denigrate Palestinians for 70 years then somehow try to make anyone believe that it is important to them what the hell the Palestinians think. This is simply another log in the road to slow or stop any progress in the two state solution talks as he builds fresh settlements on disputed land. The stalling and deceit must stop now. It's time to give and take and find an answer otherwise the US should begin withdrawing political and financial support for Israel, whether it's a Middle East democracy or not. The stick must now follow the 30 year old carrot. We'll see what the almighty pro-Israel lobby does then in attempting to bring politicians with kahonas to their knees.

Timinator2K

May 18, 2009 8:23 AM CDT

With all this global warming going on, how is it that Netanyahu is expecting hell to freeze over?

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Associated Press (Source Grid »)

Politics • US • World

White House • Benjamin Netanyahu • Israel and Palestinians • Obama administration • President Obama • two-state solution

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