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October 2, 2014

Obama Hosts Netanyahu as Israel Advances "Troubling" Settlements; Palestinians Seek 2016 Deadline 
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President Obama has hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at
the White House. The meeting comes days after Netanyahu gave a U.N.
General Assembly speech attempting to link the militant group Islamic
State to Hamas, as well as liken it to Iran. In his comments, Obama said
he hoped to revive stagnant U.S.-backed peace talks.

President Obama: "We have to find ways to change the status quo so that
both Israeli citizens are safe in their own homes and schoolchildren in
their schools from the possibility of rocket fire, but also that we
don't have the tragedy of Palestinian children being killed, as well.
And so, we'll discuss extensively both the situation of rebuilding Gaza,
but also how can we find a more sustainable peace between Israelis and
Palestinians."

Netanyahu's visit comes just as Israel moved ahead with the building of
new settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and the takeover of around 25
Palestinian homes in the neighborhood of Silwan. Obama did not issue any
public criticism but reportedly raised the issue with Netanyahu in
private. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest called Israel's latest
actions "very troubling."

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest: "The United States is deeply
concerned by reports that the Israeli government has moved forward with
the planning process in the sensitive area — or in a sensitive
area of East Jerusalem. This step is contrary to Israel's stated goal of
negotiating a permanent status agreement with the Palestinians, and it
would send a very troubling message if they were to proceed with tenders
or construction in that area."

In response to the White House, Netanyahu said: "It is better to know
the material before deciding to take such a stance." The news comes as
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has confirmed he has submitted a
proposal asking the U.N. Security Council to set a deadline of November
2016 for Israel's withdrawal from the occupied West Bank.

 

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