Angered by Netanyahu's shock campaign pledge to block the creation of a Palestinian state, the White House warned the foundation of its policy for backing Israel had been undermined.
The United States -- a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council -- has frequently opposed moves at the UN to recognize a Palestinian state.
"Steps that the United States has taken at the United Nations had been predicated on this idea that the two-state solution is the best outcome, said spokesman Josh Earnest.
"Now our ally in these talks has said that they are no longer committed to that solution. That means we need to reevaluate our position in this matter, and that is what we will do moving forward."
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP in the wake of Tuesday's vote that they would "speed up, pursue and intensify" diplomatic efforts aimed at winning international recognition.
The White House said that no policy decisions had yet been made, but sharply noted that US decisions in the past had "protected Israel from isolation in the international community."
The White House also gave short shrift to Netanyahu's efforts to walk back his remarks in a series of US television interviews Thursday.
"What is apparent is that in the context of the campaign, and while he was the sitting prime minister of Israel, he walked back from commitments that Israel had previously made to a two-state solution," Earnest said.
President Obama, who has yet to call Netanyahu to congratulate him, already had cool relations with his Israeli counterpart even before his remarks about Palestine.
Washington has been frustrated by Netanyahu's support for settlement building and a speech to the US Congress aimed at killing a nascent nuclear deal with Iran, which Obama supports.
The White House said Obama could call Netanyahu as soon as today.
AFP
ahram.org.eg
19/3/15
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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
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Fox News' Megyn Kelly on Thursday and reiterates that he did not retract his statement about a two-state solution during a speech at Bar-Ilan University six years ago...
ReplyDelete"I didn't retract any of the things I said in my speech six years ago, calling for a solution in which a demilitarized Palestinian state recognizes a Jewish state," Netanyahu told Kelly.
http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Netanyahu-on-Fox-I-didnt-retract-statement-on-two-state-solution-394554