Obama: No ‘grand peace plan’ during Israel trip
9 March 2013 7:35 AM IST
President Barack Obama is playing down expectations for a Mideast peace breakthrough during his upcoming trip to Israel, telling American Jewish leaders that he won't be carrying a ‘grand peace plan’ when he arrives in the region later this month.
Obama, in an hourlong private meeting at the White House on Thursday acknowledged that near-term prospects for peace are bleak. But the president said a deal with the Palestinians remains the only way for Israel to achieve long-term security.
Israel's political climate makes the prospects for jumpstarting peace talks all the more unlikely during Obama's trip. Elections in January weakened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who since then has struggled to form a coalition government.
In addition to his meetings with Netanyahu, Obama will hold talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
He told the Jewish leaders on Thursday that he would emphasize to Abbas that peace remains possible, though very difficult given the current climate in the region. In his meeting, Obama said pursuing sweeping peace talks now would be premature, given that Israel is still working to form a new government. But he added that doesn't preclude him from launching a peace effort in six months or a year.
Obama, in an hourlong private meeting at the White House on Thursday acknowledged that near-term prospects for peace are bleak. But the president said a deal with the Palestinians remains the only way for Israel to achieve long-term security.
Israel's political climate makes the prospects for jumpstarting peace talks all the more unlikely during Obama's trip. Elections in January weakened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who since then has struggled to form a coalition government.
In addition to his meetings with Netanyahu, Obama will hold talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
He told the Jewish leaders on Thursday that he would emphasize to Abbas that peace remains possible, though very difficult given the current climate in the region. In his meeting, Obama said pursuing sweeping peace talks now would be premature, given that Israel is still working to form a new government. But he added that doesn't preclude him from launching a peace effort in six months or a year.
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