Obama: Settlement freeze not crucial for resumptions of talks

Speaking in Ramallah on Thursday after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, U.S. President Barack Obama called for an „independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state” to be established alongside Israel.

„The only way to achieve this goal is through direct talks,” Obama said. „There is no shortcut to a sustainable solution.”

He also said that if the Palestinians and Israelis spoke only about conditions to get to the negotiating table, the core issues of the conflict would never be discussed. Thus, Obama said, a renewed Israeli settlement freeze should not be a precondition to a resumption of talks. „If the core issues are solved of sovereignty and security the settlement issue will be solved,” Obama said.

„The Palestinian people deserve and end to the occupation and the daily indignities that come with it,” Obama said. „The Palestinians deserve a future of hope.”

„We cannot give up the search for peace, no matter how hard it is.”

Obama said that based on his talks with Abbas and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the past two days, he believes that peace talks can be renewed.

„My administration is committed to doing our part.”

„If we can get direct talks again, I think a shape of a peace deal is there. I believe the Israeli and Palestinian publics will support it.”

Abbas thanked Obama for his support of the Palestinian people.

„The people of Palestine aspire to attain the simplest of rights: freedom, independence and peace… and look forward to the day in which they will have independence, in a state with Jerusalem as its capital, alongside the State of Israel.”

„We believe peace is necessary and possible. Making peace requires recognition of people’s rights and commitment to international resolutions. Peace should not be made through violence, occupation, wars, settlements, siege and the denial of refugee rights.”

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Abbas may soften his demand that Netanyahu publicly declare a settlement construction freeze as a precondition for the resumption of peace negotiations.

This shift was reflected in a draft list of talking points obtained by The New York Times that was prepared for Abbas by the Palestinian Authority’s Negotiations Affairs Department ahead of his meeting with Obama.

“He can pledge to you secretly that he will stop settlement activities during the period of negotiations,” one talking point read, referring to Netanyahu.

Another talking point was that Abbas should ask Obama to persuade Netanyahu to agree to use the 1967 borders as a starting point for negotiations.

According to the talking points, Abbas might suggest a dissolution of the Palestinian Authority and returning the West Bank to direct Israeli control if no progress is made toward a Palestinian state.

Abbas was also reportedly set to tell Obama that the Palestinian Authority would not use its new status as a U.N. nonmember observer state to sue Israel in the International Criminal Court unless Israel starts construction in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Maaleh Adumim.