IPF Statement On Obama-Netanyahu Meeting

NEW YORK, May 18 -- Israel Policy Forum (IPF) issued the following statement following today's meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu:

Israel Policy Forum welcomes President Obama's strong reaffirmation of his commitment to "achieve a two-state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians are living side by side in peace and security."

IPF believes that it is the best achievable means of ensuring Israel's survival as a Jewish state and a democracy.  As the President stated again today, a two-state solution is "in the interests not only of the Palestinians but also the Israelis and the United States and the international community."

IPF further commends President Obama for noting that "all the parties involved have to take seriously obligations that they've previously agreed to," mentioning both the road map and Annapolis, and for stating that "settlements have to be stopped." 

As the President also pointed out today, Prime Minister Netanyahu "has a historic opportunity to get a serious movement on this issue during his tenure." IPF hopes that the Prime Minister will seize this opportunity to take advantage of a President who declares: "The United States is going to do everything we can to be constructive, effective partners in this process."

Though Messrs. Obama and Netanyahu have met before, today's meeting was their first as leaders of their respective countries. It is critically important that the two leaders develop a trust in one another, but it will not be possible to gauge whether today's session was successful until we see whether or not the peace process is moving forward successfully.