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Last update - 22:48 18/05/2009
Obama: U.S. backs Palestinian statehood, no Iran deadline
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters
Tags: Israel news, Palestinian 

U.S. President Barack Obama voiced support for creation of a Palestinian state in talks on Monday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who held back from endorsing the main cornerstone of Washington's Mideast policy.

With Israeli leaders mostly skeptical of Obama's efforts to engage Iran diplomatically, Netanyahu had planned to stress Israel's growing concerns about Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Israeli officials said before the talks.

Obama, speaking along with Netanyahu to reporters in the Oval Office, said after the two-hour meeting that he saw no reason to set an artificial deadline for diplomacy with Iran, but the U.S. would like to see progress with Tehran by the end of the year.
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He said he was not closing off a "range of steps" against Iran, including sanctions, if it continues its nuclear program, which Washington believes is aimed at producing an atomic weapon but Tehran says is for peaceful purposes.

Obama also reminded Israel of its commitment, under a 2003 U.S.-backed peace road map agreement to cease settlement activity in the West Bank.

"We talked about restarting serious negotiations on issues of Israel and the Palestinians," Obama said, adding that it was in the interests of both sides "to achieve a two-state solution."

Netanyahu, in his remarks, reiterated that he supported self-government for the Palestinians but made no mention of a state, a position underscoring a rare rift in U.S.-Israeli relations.

"We don't want to govern the Palestinians. We want them to govern themselves," Netanyahu said, echoing statements he has made in the past.

Obama sees engagement in Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking - in contrast to the Bush administration's largely hands-off approach - as crucial to repairing the U.S. image in the Muslim world and to convincing moderate Arab states to join a united front against Iran.

There have been signs Obama hopes to sway Netanyahu with the prospect of normalized ties between Israel and all Muslim countries, but such a comprehensive deal would require extraordinary diplomatic work by the United States.

After making a joint statement, Netanyahu spoke to Israeli reporters at the president's guesthouse at Blair House, saying that "it was a good meeting, friendly. There was a deep commitment to relations with the U.S., with whom we have a special relationship."

"Another thing was Iran," the prime minister continued, "a topic which consumed most of hour private one-on-one meeting. It was clear that he [Obama] understands the extent of the problem, for the world as well as for us, and he is committed to preventing Iran from gaining nuclear weapons."

"In regard to the settlements, we decided that this is something that needs to be implemented through commitments on both sides," Netanyahu added. "Israel has dismantled settlements and the Palestinians were supposed to dismantle terror infrastructure. In Gaza, we dismantled settlements and got huge terror infrastructure in return."

"The issue of [captive Israel Defense Forces soldier] Gilad Shalit was also raised, as did the situation in Gaza," Netanyahu continued. "We know that Hamas is continuing its efforts to arm itself and it is a real threat. We tried to find a balance between not harming the civilian population [in Gaza] and limiting Hamas' ability to smuggle weapons much more lethal than anything we've known in the past. I explained this to the president, that it isn't easy. We talked about it quite a bit."

When asked whether he plans to arrange a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the near future, Netanyahu replied "as far as I'm concerned, let's go, I'm ready."
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  1.   Obama - hold your ground 21:19  |  Observer 18/05/09
  2.   nothing new 21:20  |  Sam 18/05/09
  3.   Fudge 21:22  |  Leo 18/05/09
  4.   nichts und wieder nichts 21:29  |  S 18/05/09
  5.   Netanyahu wants the Palestinians to be their own jailers. 21:37  |  American in NY 18/05/09
  6.   Palestinian Statehood 21:37  |  Ola 18/05/09
  7.   There will be huge pressure on Obama 21:38  |  Steven 18/05/09
  8.   Obama: "settlements must stop" 21:40  |  BBSNews 18/05/09
  9.   Oh no Obama..Not supporting ISRAEL 21:40  |  Joel 18/05/09
  10.   whata political behaviour by the saviour of world n saviour of il 21:43  |  dave 18/05/09
  11.   Clash of the Titans 21:45  |  Bayo 18/05/09
  12.   We want them to govern themselves," Netanyahu said. 21:45  |  Axel 18/05/09
  13.   Jordan is Palestine 21:47  |  steve dill 18/05/09
  14.   Palestinian statehood? 21:49  |  Nechama 18/05/09
  15.   Its official then 21:50  |  Chris Linthwaite 18/05/09
  16.   Dave from Istanbul - I agree with the part 21:52  |  David Israel 18/05/09
  17.   Take the bull by horns 21:59  |  Miche Norman 18/05/09
  18.   step ahead 22:01  |  ehud 18/05/09
  19.   one track mind 22:04  |  Y 18/05/09
  20.   jordanian flag 22:05  |  Avraham 18/05/09
  21.   govern themselves means guard own jail 22:06  |  Adam 18/05/09
  22.   SAME OLD STUFF 22:06  |  Brant 18/05/09
  23.   BBSN 22:10  |  OZ 18/05/09
  24.   Obama commanded over PM 22:10  |  Calone 18/05/09
  25.   obama is a friend to no one 22:18  |  Connie 18/05/09
  26.   Obama put PUBLIC pressure on Bibi Brant... 22:20  |  BBSNews 18/05/09
  27.   Obama is far too smart to show his full hand 22:21  |  Labhras 18/05/09
  28.   Self-rule without freedom? Classic apartheid bantustans. 22:23  |  Michael 18/05/09
  29.   be aware of israli terrorists 22:27  |  imad 18/05/09
  30.   To B.S. News (#8). Licking your wounds, Michael? 22:28  |  flyingdoc57 18/05/09
  31.   After talks with Arabs Bama will decide how to deal with Bibi 22:28  |  Mark B. 18/05/09
  32.   a link for BSNews who insists that Hamas recognizes Israel: 22:32  |  Stephen in New York 18/05/09
  33.   No timeline on Iran - HA! 22:32  |  Diplomat 18/05/09
  34.   #15, darb right 22:33  |  ManintheMiddle 18/05/09
  35.   Bibi 22:44  |  Michael 18/05/09
  36.   Obama will fail miserably with Iran 22:44  |  IW 18/05/09
  37.   Thansk Mr. Obama 22:45  |  Jacob T 18/05/09
  38.   Palestinian animus 22:47  |  Mike Malkovitch 18/05/09
  39.   Why would I disagree with Obama on Syria Oz? 22:48  |  BBSNews 18/05/09
  40.   Orwellian peace 22:48  |  Kiko 18/05/09
  41.   Calone - naievete! 22:49  |  Mike 18/05/09
  42.   What Israel SNY? 22:55  |  BBSNews 18/05/09
  43.   Thank you Mr. Obama! 22:56  |  Jamshid 18/05/09
  44.   #24 Stephen in NY - Don`t mind BSnews 22:56  |  *BEN JABO 18/05/09
  45.   #8 BSnews - Back into your Teepee 23:02  |  *BEN JABO 18/05/09
  46.   axel those who cannot rule themselves 23:03  |  harzion 18/05/09
  47.   Forget undependable partners 23:04  |  Brod 18/05/09
  48.   Netanyahu`s "To Do" List... for Obama 23:05  |  Lasmarch 18/05/09
  49.   linthwaite "i am concentrating on a two state solution" 23:05  |  harzion 18/05/09
  50.   US Should Put Troops in the West Bank 23:20  |  Andrew 18/05/09
  51.   Obama MUST BOW to the new Jewish KING! 23:22  |  Istar 18/05/09
  52.   Dore Gold 23:22  |  jennifer 18/05/09
  53.   US Should Put Troops in the West Bank 23:22  |  Andrew 18/05/09
  54.   Put down your banners for a moment. 23:28  |  Fortuna Benmayor 18/05/09
  55.   finally a israeli leader holds there ground 23:34  |  steve 18/05/09
  56.   Chris Linthwaite 23:37  |  TonyL 18/05/09
  57.   Israel must fight in Two Front ! 23:39  |  Akram Zekaria 18/05/09
  58.   Bibi recruits Palestinian kapos 23:42  |  Mary 18/05/09
  59.   Arabs will soon control the arsenals of the EU 23:46  |  Warren 18/05/09
  60.   I dont trust him 23:48  |  Mark 18/05/09
  61.   Israel was built on terrorism 23:49  |  dr laura 18/05/09
  62.   actual 2 state defenders 23:52  |  dave 18/05/09
  63.   Kennedy wanted Algerian to be "independent", too and look what . 23:55  |  Zev Davis 18/05/09
  64.   16#david israel 00:06  |  dave 19/05/09
  65.   To David Israel in New York 00:06  |  Otto Rand 19/05/09
  66.   12 Axel 00:09  |  Jose Marcio 19/05/09
  67.   achievement 00:21  |  ehud 19/05/09
  68.   Obama can`t be trusted. The man is no friend of Israel! 00:32  |  Xavier 19/05/09
  69.   Steven in NY 00:35  |  Persian Kitty 19/05/09
  70.   Right same ole same ole 00:38  |  Baruch Gold 19/05/09
  71.   Us and Israel 00:42  |  WHG 19/05/09
  72.   Time Table 00:44  |  Jack Olson 19/05/09
  73.   To American in NY 00:48  |  American in Washingt 19/05/09
  74.   Perhaps it could work 00:49  |  Jasper 19/05/09
  75.   Will Hillary & Lieberman be stepping up to the plate next. 00:52  |  Sarah 19/05/09
  76.   "We want them to govern themselves," 00:57  |  Colin Wright 19/05/09
  77.   Mike - making peace 00:59  |  DavidSanders 19/05/09
  78.   attack Iran 01:00  |  Muskens 19/05/09
  79.   Stop playing games and look for real peace 01:33  |  neutral 19/05/09
  80.   Of course Bibi is ready for talks 01:36  |  binny 19/05/09
  81.   No deadline for Iran? 01:41  |  Seymour 19/05/09
  82.   I wouldn`t be surprised 01:42  |  Jim 19/05/09
  83.   Why a Palestinian State 01:53  |  Hilda 19/05/09
  84.   American in NY 02:04  |  Jasper 19/05/09
  85.   The Israel deadline is NOW 02:05  |  fritz t. 19/05/09
  86.   No Catastrophic Break - No Surprise 02:19  |  Reid 19/05/09
  87.   #23 Calone: Thank you 02:19  |  Jasper 19/05/09
  88.   OBAMA LOOKS CALM AS USUAL 02:27  |  indrajaya 19/05/09
  89.   Nechama - youre dead wrong 02:38  |  Mark 19/05/09
  90.   It`s Becoming Clear. 02:46  |  Cool B 19/05/09
  91.   Mike, Israel Should Make Peace With Her Neighbours, All of Them 03:30  |  Reader 19/05/09
  92.   Obama dedicated to Israel`s Security 03:30  |  Reid 19/05/09
  93.   #20, Adam, How will that turn into living in peace side by side? 04:13  |  Bruce 19/05/09
  94.   #26, Kiko, "Orwellian peace" 04:22  |  Bruce 19/05/09
  95.   colors 05:07  |  once more 19/05/09
  96.   Bibi is handling Obama just fine. 05:07  |  Sarah 19/05/09
  97.   Israel and US meeting 05:17  |  Lisa 19/05/09
  98.   #44 You might want to re-read that transcript, Reid 05:52  |  Johnboy 19/05/09
  99.   The two state solution 06:00  |  TERRY 19/05/09
  100.   Obama on Israel 06:24  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 19/05/09
  101.   Obama on Israel`s security 06:28  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 19/05/09
  102.   Obama on Iran 06:32  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 19/05/09
  103.   so much for the "claim" that bibi gave obama till year`s end! 09:25  |  eric 19/05/09
  104.   the power of body language? bibi lost hands down! 09:41  |  eric 19/05/09
  105.   Obama holds trump card 12:31  |  Gully Foyle 19/05/09
  106.   Dore Gold 13:25  |  jennifer 19/05/09
  107.   TERRY must want a ONE STATE solution? 17:44  |  Ibrahim 19/05/09
  108.   To #100 & #101& #102 ..Please Read,and Comment. 17:58  |  Whiskey/Bravo 19/05/09
  109.   Part Two,To #100,& #101,& #102..A response,please comment. 18:00  |  Whiskey/Bravo 19/05/09
  110.   To Xavier@68 ,...And Obama. Obama thinks he can rule the worldBUT 18:52  |  Whiskey/Bravo 19/05/09
  111.   To once more@95 colors? I see for Obama the color RED! 19:06  |  Whiskey/Bravo 19/05/09
  112.   To Cool B,Who has got the story wrong @90 19:15  |  Whiskey/Bravo 19/05/09
  113.   TO THE NEW WHITE HOUSE CREW 23:39  |  by any other 19/05/09
  114.   Is Sharon dead yet? 03:56  |  Gully Foyle 20/05/09
  115.   OBAMA LOOKS CALM AS USUAL, @88 Perhaps,BUT. 20:01  |  Whiskey/Bravo 20/05/09
  116.   #105 Gully Foyle - Obama may have trump card 21:10  |  *BEN JABO 20/05/09
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