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World Jewish News
'PM placed obstacles on road to peace'
15.06.2009
Former US president Jimmy Carter, visiting in Israel, said on Monday that Binyamin Netanyahu has placed "several obstacles on the road to peace", in response to the prime minister's speech Sunday evening. "In my opinion, Netanyahu brought up several obstacles to peace in his speech that others before him have not placed," Carter told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday.
"He insists on settlement expansion, demands that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state even though 20% of Israel's citizens are not Jewish," the former US president said.
Carter stressed that the differences between US President Obama and PM Netanyahu can be overcome. "I have to say that in spite of the differences between my president, Barack Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu, greater differences existed between myself and then-prime minister Begin," he said.
Carter added that during his visit in Gaza on Tuesday, he would try to deliver a letter given to him by the parents of captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit.
Meanwhile, the European Union on Monday joined US President Barack Obama in expressing support for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's "endorsement" of the goal of establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel as expressed in the Likud leader's Bar Ilan speech on Sunday evening.
Netanyahu's endorsement of a Palestinian state is a "step in the right direction," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout, whose country holds the EU presidency, said on Monday, echoing remarks by the Obama administration.
Kohout added that while the prime minister's comments on Sunday needed more analysis "the acceptance of a Palestinian state is there."
Kohout spoke to reporters upon arrival at a session of EU foreign ministers who were meeting with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
On Sunday, US Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement that "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 statement read.
"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," it concluded.
Источник: JPost.com
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