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President Obama's call this afternoon for Israel and the Palestinians to redraw boundaries based on 1967 lines has already generated backlash.
"The dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation," the president said in a wide-ranging, Mideast speech at the State Department.
"The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states."
The suggestion landed with a thud in Israel, where some skeptics worry that such a border makes the country less secure. The country will object to any "indefensible" borders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
"The viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of Israel's existence," said Netanyahu, who is expected to arrive here in Washington Friday.
Netanyahu's office tweeted its clear disapproval of the president's reference to the 1967 borders.
"Prime Minister Netanyahu expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of U.S. commitments made to Israel in 2004, which were overwhelmingly supported by both Houses of Congress," the office wrote on Twitter. "Among other things, those commitments relate to Israel not having to withdraw to the 1967 lines which are both indefensible and which would leave major Israeli population centers in Judea and Samaria beyond those lines."
This is the first time a U.S. president has laid out his vision on the borders so starkly in a high-profile speech. Administration officials say they hope the message will appease Palestinians and stop them from pursuing unilateral recognition at the United Nations, something the president warned against today. In a nod to the Israelis, the president also avoided the issue of settlements and division of Jerusalem, another two main points of contention.
But Obama's views are unlikely to appease Palestinians, either. For Arabs, the United States' longtime friendship and support of Israel has created a level of distrust that is unlikely to dissipate with Obama's latest rhetoric.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zahri said Obama's speech was full of empty words and an indication that U.S. policy has failed. Abu Zahri said people in the Arab world have no need for lectures on democracy from Obama while he is supporting what they view as Israeli crimes. Abu Zahri said Obama's rejection of Palestinian unity is an intervention of Palestinian affairs.
Some observers say the president's views, though controversial, are consistent with his policy thus far.
ABC
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