(JTA) — President Obama pledged his support of Israel’s security and called the shooting deaths of four Israelis at the hands of Palestinians a "senseless slaughter."
Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a joint statement Wednesday afternoon following a 90-minute private meeting at the White House.
The U.S. leader said that Tuesday night’s attack near Hebron in the West Bank would not prevent the United States from pursuing peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Obama thanked Netanyahu for remaining committed to the process despite the attack.
"The United States is going to be unwavering in its support of Israel’s security, and we are going to push back against these kinds of terrorist attacks," Obama said. "And so the message should go out to Hamas and everyone else who is taking credit for these heinous crimes that this is not going to stop us."
Netanyahu called the current talks "open, productive, serious in the quest for peace."
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will meet with Obama later Wednesday. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Thursday with Abbas together with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
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