President Obama used a portion of his nearly 45-minute speech Thursday to say that he still believes in the prospects of peace between Israel and Palestine.
“The world looks at a conflict that has grinded on for decades, and sees a stalemate. Indeed, there are those who argue that with all the change and uncertainty in the region, it is simply not possible to move forward,” Obama said. “I disagree.”
Though Obama, like many Presidents before him, has not been able to broker a meaningful agreement between the two sides, he expressed confidence today that a solution is within reach.
“I recognize how hard this will be. Suspicion and hostility has been passed on for generations, and at times it has hardened. But I’m convinced that the majority of Israelis and Palestinians would rather look to the future than be trapped in the past.”
Obama pledged “unshakeable” support for Israel, America’s largest democratic ally in the Middle East, but called on the nation to withdraw its troops from Palestine. He then chided Palestine for walking away from U.S.-led talks, cautioning that a deal between Fatah and Hamas could have grave consequences for Israel.
“How can one negotiate with a party that has shown itself unwilling to recognize your right to exist?” Obama asked, referring to Hamas, which the White House has described as a terrorist organization bent on the destruction of Israel.
The President affirmed support for a two-state solution in the region, with borders broadly based on lines drawn before the Six Day War began in 1967. Obama did not, however, delve deeply into the future of Jerusalem or the fate of Palestinian refugees. Ultimately, he said, the fine details of a potential agreement will be left to the two sides to hammer out.
Obama’s remarks came just one day before he welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netenyahu to the White House.