The White House is praising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on Sunday, calling it an "important step forward."
"The President is committed to two states, a Jewish state of Israel and an independent Palestine, in the historic homeland of both peoples," said a statement from White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. "He believes this solution can and must ensure both Israel’s security and the fulfillment of the Palestinians’ legitimate aspirations for a viable state, and he welcomes Prime Minister Netanyahu’s endorsement of that goal."
The statement does not mention Netanyahu’s statement on settlements, in which he said Israel would not expand existing towns, but appeared to endorse natural growth by saying that settlers need to be able to live "normal lives." The administration has demanded all settlement construction cease. Here’s the full White House statement:
The President welcomes the important step forward in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech. The President is committed to two states, a Jewish state of Israel and an independent Palestine, in the historic homeland of both peoples. He believes this solution can and must ensure both Israel’s security and the fulfillment of the Palestinians’ legitimate aspirations for a viable state, and he welcomes Prime Minister Netanyahu’s endorsement of that goal. The President will continue working with all parties – Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Arab states, and our Quartet partners – to see that they fulfill their obligations and responsibilities necessary to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a comprehensive regional peace."
