White House chief of staff: 50 years of Israeli occupation must end

[lego 44,165]

U.S. cannot pretend Netanyahu didn't say no Palestinian state would be established on his watch, Denis McDonough tells J Street conference in Washington.

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough made it clear on Monday that the crisis in U.S.-Israel relations over the issue of a Palestinian state remains, despite efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to clarify remarks he made late in the election campaign that no such state would be established on his watch.

 

“We cannot simply pretend that those comments were never made,” McDonough told the J Street conference in Washington, whose left-leaning audience received his remarks enthusiastically.

 

“Israel cannot maintain military control of another people indefinitely,” he said. “An occupation that has lasted for almost 50 years must end.” He denied claims that the administration’s reevaluation of its approach to the peace process stemmed from U.S. President Barack Obama’s “personal pique” against Netanyahu, but he described Netanyahu’s remarks before the election “troubling.”

 

McDonough did not address the possibility that the focus of the peace process would move to the United Nations, but said that Obama would “never stop working for a two-state solution,” despite the difficulties. He detailed what the U.S. believes the arrangements would be: Borders based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, security arrangements, and a “sovereign and sustainable” Palestinian state. McDonough also described J Street, which is ostracized by much of the American Jewish establishment, as a the White House’s “partner” in advancing the peace process and the two-state solution.

 

McDonough warned Israel’s next government against any unilateral annexation of lands in the West Bank, saying it “would be both wrong and illegal” and that America would strenuously oppose it.

 

Netanyahu's statements that a Palestinian state would not be created as long as he is the prime minister were viewed, coming as they did one day before the Israeli elections, as a last-minute attempt to pull right-wing voters back to his party, the Likud. 

 

"I think that anyone who moves to establish a Palestinian state and evacuate territory gives territory away to radical Islamist attacks against Israel," Netanyahu said on March 16. "The left has buried its head in the sand time and after time and ignores this, but we are realistic and understand."

 

After the elections gave Netanyahu a plurality, he claimed in an interview with the American NBC TV channel that his support for the two-state solution hasn't changed, what has changed "is the reality."

 

Netanyahu's last retraction was not accepted by the White House, however, and President Obama told The Huffington Post that he is convinced that Netanyahu does not support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. "We take him at his word when he said that it wouldn't happen during his prime ministership," Obama said.

 

Obama said that in light of Netanyahu's stance, his administration would need to "evaluate what other options are available to make sure that we don't see a chaotic situation in the region."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.648465

 

[hmm 979]

"America would never strenuously oppose it." yet the article itself doesn't include the word "never"

On topic; words are just words until something more concrete comes of this, although those "words" seem to be coming more common since the election.

[lego 44,165]

"America would never strenuously oppose it." yet the article doesn't include the word "never"

I don't understand the game they're playing tbh.

[Melech 9,900]

The government of US right now always says stuff and don't do anything in the end.  

 

[lego 44,165]

"America would never strenuously oppose it." yet the article itself doesn't include the word "never"

On topic; words are just words until something more concrete comes of this, although those "words" seem to be coming more common since the election.

Wait I don't get it, it is in the article.  

[hmm 979]

I don't understand the game they're playing tbh.

​The game of diplomacy I guess, when Netanyahu's comments last week go against both Israel and the US' apparent own desires for peace in the region, they would have to comment. Obama's term as leader is almost over though; idk much about the American political system though

Rise above the flamebait though

 

[hmm 979]

Wait I don't get it, it is in the article.  

​When I click on the link; the bottom of the article reads "that America would strenuously oppose it." for me; whereas your quoted version has the addition of "never".

[lego 44,165]

​When I click on the link; the bottom of the article reads "that America would strenuously oppose it." for me; whereas your quoted version has the addition of "never".

  that's why it didn't make sense! I copy pasted word for word, but they meanwhile edited it, the article is also longer now and they even changed the picture.

Oh Haaretz...

[hmm 979]

http://gagadaily.com/uploads/default_air.jpg  that's why it didn't make sense! I copy pasted word for word, but they meanwhile edited it, the article is also longer now and they even changed the picture.

Oh Haaretz...

​Oh right okays I see; that makes sense then  

[lego 44,165]

​The game of diplomacy I guess, when Netanyahu's comments last week go against both Israel and the US' apparent own desires for peace in the region, they would have to comment. Obama's term as leader is almost over though; idk much about the American political system though

 

Hidden Content

Seems like Obama always had issues with him

 

I'm a bit worried about who's coming next. I'd like this friendship to end. 

[Luc 4,776]

The government of US right now always says stuff and don't do anything in the end.  

 

​

Do you believe Israel is allowed to build illegal settlements in Palestine? Or do you think Israel should stop doing that? And do you believe the annexated parts should be given back to Palestinians?

[Melech 9,900]

Do you believe Israel is allowed to build illegal settlements in Palestine? Or do you think Israel should stop doing that? And do you believe the annexated parts should be given back to Palestinians?

​That would be highly off topic 

[Luc 4,776]

​That would be highly off topic 

​"White House chief of staff: 50 years of Israeli occupation must end"

I'm asking for your opinion about Israeli occupation. Not that off-topic.

[Melech 9,900]

​"White House chief of staff: 50 years of Israeli occupation must end"

I'm asking for your opinion about Israeli occupation. Not that off-topic.

​I think it's good as long terrorist groups like Hamas are in there. Palestine doesn't aim for peace. 

[hmm 979]

Israeli settlers are colonizing Palestinian territory under the guise of moving in to areas to protect historic archaeological sites, the British government has said.

Ministers say they are concerned that the Israeli government agency in charge of preserving historic artefacts is undermining efforts for peace in the region by working with a group of "radical" settlers...

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Israel-using-bogus-archaeological-digs-as-cover-to-take-Palestinian-land-British-government-says/articleshow/46667282.cms

It seems criticism is coming from the UK too; tied with Nick Clegg's calls that a Palestinian state must be recognised if Netanyahu seems to not be interested in a two state solution.