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| Backtracking, Netanyahu says he wants two-state solution | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Apparent backtracking on his promise this week to fully oppose Palestinian statehood, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he could support the idea after changes in the region’s political and security landscape. | Apparent backtracking on his promise this week to fully oppose Palestinian statehood, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he could support the idea after changes in the region’s political and security landscape. |
| “I don’t want a one-state solution. I want a sustainable, peaceful two-state solution. But for that, circumstances have to change,” Netanyahu told MSNBC in an interview two days after his Likud party pulled off an unexpected victory in Israel’s parliamentary elections. | “I don’t want a one-state solution. I want a sustainable, peaceful two-state solution. But for that, circumstances have to change,” Netanyahu told MSNBC in an interview two days after his Likud party pulled off an unexpected victory in Israel’s parliamentary elections. |
| With polls showing his party behind just days before Tuesday’s balloting, Netanyahu reached out to right-wing voters with a pledge to oppose the so-called two-state solution with Palestinians as long as he was in power. | With polls showing his party behind just days before Tuesday’s balloting, Netanyahu reached out to right-wing voters with a pledge to oppose the so-called two-state solution with Palestinians as long as he was in power. |
| The formula has been the centerpiece of peace efforts led by Secretary of State John F. Kerry, and Netanyahu’s declaration deepened tensions with the White House. | The formula has been the centerpiece of peace efforts led by Secretary of State John F. Kerry, and Netanyahu’s declaration deepened tensions with the White House. |
| [Winning the election is not the hardest test for Netanyahu’s political skills] | [Winning the election is not the hardest test for Netanyahu’s political skills] |
| In the MSNBC interview, also scheduled to air later Thursday on “NBC Nightly News,” Netanyahu said he cannot back a Palestinian state has long as Palestinian leaders in Gaza maintain ties with the militant group Hamas. Israel and Hamas fought a 50-day war last summer. | In the MSNBC interview, also scheduled to air later Thursday on “NBC Nightly News,” Netanyahu said he cannot back a Palestinian state has long as Palestinian leaders in Gaza maintain ties with the militant group Hamas. Israel and Hamas fought a 50-day war last summer. |
| Netanyahu also expressed worries that an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank could open up footholds for Islamist groups such as the Islamic State. | Netanyahu also expressed worries that an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank could open up footholds for Islamist groups such as the Islamic State. |
| “So we need the conditions of recognition of a Jewish state and real security in order to have a realistic two-state solution,” he said in the interview. | “So we need the conditions of recognition of a Jewish state and real security in order to have a realistic two-state solution,” he said in the interview. |
| “And I was talking about what is achievable and what is not achievable. To make it achievable, then you have to have real negotiations with people who are committed to peace,” he added. “We are. It’s time that we saw the pressure on the Palestinians to show that they are committed, too.” | “And I was talking about what is achievable and what is not achievable. To make it achievable, then you have to have real negotiations with people who are committed to peace,” he added. “We are. It’s time that we saw the pressure on the Palestinians to show that they are committed, too.” |
| Netanyahu claimed his campaign pledge was not a new stance but reflected a previous declaration calling for Palestinians to clear the way for two-state talks. | Netanyahu claimed his campaign pledge was not a new stance but reflected a previous declaration calling for Palestinians to clear the way for two-state talks. |
| “I haven’t changed my policy. I never retracted my speech in Bar-Ilan University six years ago calling for a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state,” the prime minister said. | “I haven’t changed my policy. I never retracted my speech in Bar-Ilan University six years ago calling for a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state,” the prime minister said. |
| Netanyahu also signaled a willingness to try to close rifts with the Obama administration, which was angered by a Republican-organized invitation for Netanyahu to speak earlier this month before a joint meeting of Congress. In the address, Netanyahu issued withering criticism of ongoing talks aimed at securing a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program. | Netanyahu also signaled a willingness to try to close rifts with the Obama administration, which was angered by a Republican-organized invitation for Netanyahu to speak earlier this month before a joint meeting of Congress. In the address, Netanyahu issued withering criticism of ongoing talks aimed at securing a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program. |
| “By coming to the U.S., I didn’t mean any disrespect or any attempt at partisanship,” Netanyahu said. “I was merely speaking . . . of something that I viewed would endanger the survival of Israel. I felt my obligation to speak up there.” | “By coming to the U.S., I didn’t mean any disrespect or any attempt at partisanship,” Netanyahu said. “I was merely speaking . . . of something that I viewed would endanger the survival of Israel. I felt my obligation to speak up there.” |
| He said the United States has “no greater ally” than Israel despite disagreements over negotiations with Iran. | He said the United States has “no greater ally” than Israel despite disagreements over negotiations with Iran. |
| “We’ll work together,” he said. “We have to. We have our differences on Iran.” | “We’ll work together,” he said. “We have to. We have our differences on Iran.” |
| The White House said Thursday that it was evaluating the way forward following Netanyahu’s latest comments. | The White House said Thursday that it was evaluating the way forward following Netanyahu’s latest comments. |
| White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters that Netanyahu, in his election day remarks, clearly backed away from his previous commitment to a two-state solution. | White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters that Netanyahu, in his election day remarks, clearly backed away from his previous commitment to a two-state solution. |
| Netanyahu’s concern for 2016 | Netanyahu’s concern for 2016 |
| How Israel reacted to Netanyahu’s speech to Congress | How Israel reacted to Netanyahu’s speech to Congress |