[h=1]US warns new Israeli government to 'remain committed' to two-state solution[/h] Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman warns it will be 'tough to stand up for Israel at UN' otherwise
American Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman warned Jewish leaders that if the new Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backs down from its commitment to a two-state solution, it would be difficult for the United States to stand-up for the Jewish state at the United Nations.
Speaking at a conference of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, Sherman stated that "the US has stood up to efforts to single out Israel internationally" but that "the US will be watching closely how the new Israeli government will address the issue of the two-state solution."
Sherman warned that the United States, which has stood up against efforts to single out Israel, will have a much tougher time "standing up for Israel internationally" if Netanyahu's new government should back down from a commitment from a two-state solution.
Secretary of State John Kerry said in March that US President Barack Obama has has remained "committed" to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians.
"The position of the United States with respect to our long expressed hope, the Republicans and the Democrats alike (and) many presidents of the last 50 years or more, has always been for peace and President Obama remains committed to a two-state solution."
Obama told reporters at a joint White House news conference that "we believe that two states is the best path forward for Israel's security, for Palestinian aspirations and for regional stability.
"That's our view and that continues to be our view. And Prime Minister Netanyahu has a different approach."
Obama said the United States still backs the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, and that he would take the issue up with Netanyahu's government once it is formed.
"This is a matter of figuring out how we get through a knotty policy difference that has great consequences for both countries and the region," he said.
Since Netanyahu's party won Israel's March 17 election, not a day has passed without a US comment -- official or otherwise -- on the implications of his hardline rhetoric.
During campaigning he said he would block a Palestinian state and on polling day raised the specter of an Israeli Arab rush to the polls to drum up right-wing votes saying "the rule of the right wing is in danger: Arab voters are going to the polls in droves."
Although Netanyahu has since tried to back-track -- denying he reneged on the idea of a two-state solution and apologizing for giving offense -- the damage has been done.
In addition to Obama's stern reminder, US officials have been feeding criticism of Israel's tactics to the American media.
Some in Israel, however, see the accusations and criticism coming from Washington as sour grapes from a US administration who would have liked to have seen Netanyahu's coalition fall.
Source: US warns new Israeli government to 'remain committed' to two-state solution | i24news - See beyond
American Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman warned Jewish leaders that if the new Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backs down from its commitment to a two-state solution, it would be difficult for the United States to stand-up for the Jewish state at the United Nations.
Speaking at a conference of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, Sherman stated that "the US has stood up to efforts to single out Israel internationally" but that "the US will be watching closely how the new Israeli government will address the issue of the two-state solution."
Sherman warned that the United States, which has stood up against efforts to single out Israel, will have a much tougher time "standing up for Israel internationally" if Netanyahu's new government should back down from a commitment from a two-state solution.
Secretary of State John Kerry said in March that US President Barack Obama has has remained "committed" to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians.
"The position of the United States with respect to our long expressed hope, the Republicans and the Democrats alike (and) many presidents of the last 50 years or more, has always been for peace and President Obama remains committed to a two-state solution."
Obama told reporters at a joint White House news conference that "we believe that two states is the best path forward for Israel's security, for Palestinian aspirations and for regional stability.
"That's our view and that continues to be our view. And Prime Minister Netanyahu has a different approach."
Obama said the United States still backs the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, and that he would take the issue up with Netanyahu's government once it is formed.
"This is a matter of figuring out how we get through a knotty policy difference that has great consequences for both countries and the region," he said.
Since Netanyahu's party won Israel's March 17 election, not a day has passed without a US comment -- official or otherwise -- on the implications of his hardline rhetoric.
During campaigning he said he would block a Palestinian state and on polling day raised the specter of an Israeli Arab rush to the polls to drum up right-wing votes saying "the rule of the right wing is in danger: Arab voters are going to the polls in droves."
Although Netanyahu has since tried to back-track -- denying he reneged on the idea of a two-state solution and apologizing for giving offense -- the damage has been done.
In addition to Obama's stern reminder, US officials have been feeding criticism of Israel's tactics to the American media.
Some in Israel, however, see the accusations and criticism coming from Washington as sour grapes from a US administration who would have liked to have seen Netanyahu's coalition fall.
Source: US warns new Israeli government to 'remain committed' to two-state solution | i24news - See beyond
