President Barack Obama criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance on establishing a Palestinian state, saying that it hurts Israel's credibility.
Obama made his comments during an interview that aired Tuesday on
Israel's Channel 2 TV station, saying that Netanyahu has "so many caveats, so many conditions, that it is not realistic to think that those conditions would be met any time in the near future."
The president added that "the danger here is that Israel as a whole loses credibility."
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At the end of Netanyahu's March campaign, the Israeli prime minister said that he would
not allow for a Palestinian state to be established if he were re-elected.
However, he seemed to walk back those comments later that month, after winning re-election, saying that he is
open to new peace talks with Palestine, but it would require recognizing a "Jewish state and real security in order to have a realistic two-state solution."
Netanyahu added that "to make it achievable, then you have to have real negotiations with people committed to peace ... it's time we saw the pressure on the Palestinians to show that they are committed too."
Netanyahu reiterated on May 20 that he remains "committed to the idea that the only way we can achieve a lasting peace is through the concept of two states for two peoples — a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the state of Israel,"
The Jerusalem Post reported.
But Obama questions Netanyahu's sincerity on the matter.
"Already, the international community does not believe that Israel is serious about a two-state solution," Obama said in the interview with the Israeli television network. "The statement the prime minister made compounded that belief that there’s not a commitment there."
"I don't see a likelihood of a framework agreement," he added.
After Netanyahu was re-elected, Obama said that the United States would reconsider whether or not it will
defend the Jewish state against potentially hostile resolutions passed at the United Nations.
Obama on Tuesday said that he still holds that position.
"If, in fact, there’s no prospect of an actual peace process, if nobody believes there’s a peace process, then it becomes more difficult to argue with those who are concerned about settlement construction, those who are concerned about the current situation," Obama said.
In response to accusations that Israel would have to trade its own security for a peace deal, Obama said, "I have never suggested that Israel should ever trade away its security for the prospect of peace. I’ve never suggested that it is inappropriate for Israel to insist on any two-state solution taking into account the risks that, what appears to be a peaceful government Palestinian Authority today could turn hostile."
The president also continued to defend the nuclear deal with Iran, saying that "a military solution will not fix it, even if the United States participates. It would temporarily slow down an Iranian nuclear program, but it will not eliminate it."
Despite disagreements between himself and Netanyahu, Obama said that when the two leaders are together "we have good conversations. They're tough; they're forceful; we disagree, but I enjoy jousting with him. I do."
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