Thursday, March 19, 2015

Obama criticises Netanyahu's 'divisive rhetoric'... (will reevaluate approach to peace talks)

The US has criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his re-election victory for abandoning his commitment to negotiate for a Palestinian state and for what it called "divisive" campaign rhetoric towards minority Arab voters.

In its first public response to Netanyahu's victory, the White House said on Wednesday that it's "deeply concerned" about divisive language emanating from Netanyahu's Likud Party.

Even as President Barack Obama's administration congratulated Netanyahu for his party's decisive win, the White House signaled its deep disagreements with Netanyahu will persist on issues ranging from Middle East peacemaking to Iran nuclear talks.
In the final days of campaigning, Netanyahu backtracked on his support for eventual creation of a Palestinian state - the cornerstone of more than two decades of peace efforts - and promised to go on building illegal settlements on occupied land.
  • White House spokesman Josh Earnest reaffirmed Obama's commitment to a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict and said that based on Netanyahu's comments, "the United States will evaluate our approach to this situation moving forward".
Netanyahu's insistence that there will be no Palestinian state while he holds office, seen as a manoeuvre to mobilise his base when his re-election prospects were flagging, drew criticism from the UN and European governments.

Al Jazeera's Patty Culhane, reporting from Washington, said: "Many people are saying that it's a kind of threat to the prime minister." 

"They're saying that the US could go to the UN security council, or not block action against Israel in the International Criminal Court."

Arab-Israeli voters

Earnest said the administration would also communicate its concern directly to the Israeli government over much-criticised rhetoric used by Netanyahu's campaign.
Netanyahu charged on election day in Israel that opponents were trying to get Arab-Israeli voters out "in droves" to sway the election against him.
"The United States and this administration is deeply concerned about rhetoric that seeks to marginalise Arab-Israeli citizens," Earnest said.
Arabs comprise about 20 percent of Israel's population of eight million and have long complained about discrimination. 
A collection of Israeli Arab parties that ran together as the Arab Joint List claimed third place in Tuesday's election with 13 seats.
Although Netanyahu must still put together a coalition, his victory all but guarantees that Israel's president will give him the first opportunity to form a government.
However, "the unprecedented security cooperation between the US and Israel, including our strong military and intelligence relationship, will continue," Earnest said.
   Source: Al Jazeera And Reuters
19/3/15
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2 comments:

  1. A two-state solution to the Middle East conflict will be impossible with an Israeli government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said on Thursday...

    "Netanyahu's statements against a two-state solution and against a Palestinian state... are proof, if correct, that there is no seriousness in the (future) Israeli government about a political solution that will lead to the establishment of two states," he said a day after the Israeli leader snatched an upset election victory.................http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=201694&cid=23&fromval=1
    19/3/15

    ReplyDelete
  2. Israel PM Netanyahu softens stance on Palestinian state...

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has watered down a pre-election vow not to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state.

    In a US TV interview, Mr Netanyahu said he wanted a two-state solution, but said "circumstances have to change".

    The interview with MSNBC was his first since winning a clear election victory earlier this week.

    As the campaign ended Mr Netanyahu had appealed to supporters by saying he would not allow a Palestinian state.

    But that view was tempered in Thursday's interview, in which he also denied accusations that another last-minute campaign pronouncement amounted to racism.

    "I don't want a a one-state solution. I want a sustainable, peaceful two-state solution, but for that circumstances have to change," Mr Netanyahu told MSNBC............http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31968676
    19/3/15

    ReplyDelete

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