White House Downplays Netanyahu-Obama Rift On Borders

WASHINGTON -- White House Press Secretary Jay Carney struggled Friday to put a positive spin on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of President Barack Obama’s call for a land-for-peace deal in the Middle East based on 1967 Israeli-Palestinian borders.

Shortly before Carney's daily briefing -- which was delayed two hours as Obama and Netanyahu met for longer than expected -- the two leaders sat awkwardly before cameras as Netanyahu shot down Obama's Thursday call to use the pre-Six Day War Israeli borders as a basis for a peace agreement. Netanyahu made it clear Friday that option is not on the table for Israel: Those borders are “indefensible” and “the boundaries of repeated wars," he said.

Carney -- at times appearing testy as he fielded numerous questions on the issue -- defended Obama’s stance and downplayed the divide between the world leaders.

“Anybody who knows this issue knows this has been an understood starting point,” he said. "It’s not some radical new departure from where we’ve been and from where parties have been."

The White House spokesman said while Netanyahu and Obama "don't agree on everything," they remain committed to working toward a two-state solution.

Pressed on why the Israeli leader appeared angry after the meeting, Carney replied, “I’m not sure that I accept that he was mad ... It’s important to understand he said the borders were indefensible,” not Obama’s other proposals. Their conversation was “very constructive and useful,” he added.

Both leaders will be keeping Middle East peace talks in the spotlight in the coming days: Obama is set to deliver remarks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee on Sunday, while Netanyahu will address the same group Monday and then address a joint session of Congress Tuesday.

 

 

Comments

[OmnesOmnibus]

11:01 AM on 05/22/2011

I wish they wouldn't bother, I wish the gloves would really come off and that Obama would acknowledge that Israel is not an ally, Israel is a costly, truculent, and ultra dangerous liability.

[nestici]

10:04 AM on 05/22/2011

All of this is just political posturing by Bibi. If the borders don't change, Israel will be shortly minority Jewish. Netanyahu's way risks the Jewish state by ignoring reality.

[rrpatreilly]

04:36 AM on 05/22/2011

Wake up and smell the bombing. I man obama is fulling his hope and changey thing. Only it's the muslim world that this would benefit. He's negotiaing with Israel on behalf of the Palisines? His opening move, ask for everything. His second move negotiate a little from this position. The muslims still win and can keep on bombing Israel. obama is using the same tactics here in America. Go all in on a socialist program, finance socialist programs, then and only then negotiate a little back from there IF there is sufficient backlash.

[Tex44]

12:49 AM on 05/22/2011

Sometimes I think Carney is corny.

[kidmac32]

10:10 PM on 05/21/2011

the 1967 borders have always been the starting point for peace negotiations? please. pull my other leg and it plays jingle bells.

[eagle17765]

10:56 PM on 05/21/2011

Why don't you get an education so you don't have to make music with your legs for money?

Here are some facts:
1) Oslo Accords - agreed to by ALL parties used 1967 border lines.

2) W Administration proposed 1967 border:
Quote from W's 2002 Proposal:
"This means that the /sreali 0ccupation that began in 1967 will be ended through a settlement negotiated between the parties, based on U.N. Resolution­s 242 and 338, with /sraeli withdrawal to secure and recognize borders."
link: http://geo­rgewbush-w­hitehouse.­archives.g­ov/news/re­leases/200­2/06/20020­624-3.html

3) 2005: W's Letter to PM
"The United States remains hopeful and determined to find a way forward toward a resolution of the Israeli-Pa­lestinian dispute. I remain committed to my June 24, 2002. /srael must have secure and recognized borders, which should emerge from negotiatio­ns between the parties in accordance with UNSC Resolution­s 242 and 338."
Link: http://www­.mfa.gov.i­l/MFA/Peac­e+Process/­Reference+­Documents/­Exchange+o­f+letters+­Sharon-Bus­h+14-Apr-2­004.htm

4) 2008 W's Speech in Jerusalem using 1967 borders (which are the agreed adjustments to teh 1949 lines)
“I believe that any peace agreement between them will require mutually agreed adjustment­s to the armistice lines of 1949 to reflect current realities and to ensure that the Palestinia­n state is viable and contiguous­.” - W in Jerusalem 2008

[GetItRight4aChange]

12:34 AM on 05/22/2011

I disagree that 1967 borders will bring peace; instead of missiles, Israel's neighbors will only need mortars! However, I had given Obama credit for trying to think on his own, when in actuality you have shown he was mindlessly following W's precedent, as in so many other situations--a real curiosity, since he spent so much time criticizing W. Thanks for setting things straight.

[kaymettee]

07:56 PM on 05/21/2011

The whole meeting with Netanyahu and Obama was a joke. Obama had a lot of nerve telling Isreal to give back the land, becoming the size of Manhattan. We now know where Obama's loyalties belong. Would Obama give up a state, say the size of Vermont if the Muslims in this country threatened us harm if he didn't. By what right has he to tell Netanyahu to give up their land. He seems to think he's the worlds president. He can't even take care of his own country. We're in the worst shape we've ever been in and he's still spending. It's a big job and he's having a burn-out. He forgets where his loyalities lie and I'm sure the people he's kicked under the bus will remember and do the same to him. I have no respect for this man. To be sure this won't be posted, as usual.

stuff

o be sure this won't be posted, as usual

stuff

[eagle17765]

10:59 PM on 05/21/2011

Wow - your lack of education and lack of knowledge of factual information is amazing.

Were you paid to post that false comment & if so how much does B'bi's boys pay you?

[kaymettee]

02:15 PM on 05/22/2011

These are the facts, your the ignorant one. Nothing untrue about it. Who paid you? No one paid me or ever did. I'm a independent with a free mind.

stuff

[downyours]

06:58 PM on 05/21/2011

This Carney guy. He used to work in the sewers, right? That stench in his new job must smell familiar.

[BlackBeaver]

08:48 PM on 05/21/2011

The Linda, Yes, some HuffPo readers' comments are occasionally vitriolic. Not only regarding our President, but many other public figures. Thankfully, HuffPo has provided a "flag as Abusive" button. And we all have an obligation to let someone know when we think he/she is out of line. You've just done so by your open criticism. But don't judge all HuffPo readers, or all Americans, based on the lack of civility shown by a few. It is an American tradition to speak our minds, to criticize our politicians. That doesn't mean we "hate" our President, whether he is Mr. Bush or Mr. Obama. It simply means we disagree with his polocies. And saying so- exercising our right to Free Speech- is one of the greatest benefits we enjoy as Americans.

[drewboy60]

05:42 PM on 05/21/2011

Obama is an accident waiting to happen. He would sell his own family out to advance his selfish, self serving agenda. The Palestinians won't be happy until Israel is wiped off the map and if they aren't killing Israel citizens they would be killing each other.

[nestici]

09:50 AM on 05/22/2011

And what's on his agenda next after bin Laden's gone? Your post says nothing about the issue at hand, it simply states your opinion of Palestinians, which surprises no one.

[RiverWalker]

05:38 PM on 05/21/2011

Lots of people are a "little" tired of the unending mess in the Middle East! When will it ever end? The President is a frustrated by it as many of the rest of us. Netanyahu is a politician, making an issue out of nothing new, because he senses a lot of people in America are fed up with the Middle East in general, including the part Israel plays in it. Because of the fact that it's in a constant state of war and unrest, the right remains in a position to stir up the people on both sides, which is basically what Netanyahu just did and will continue to do on his visit here. People like Netanyahu have no solutions for the problems of the Middle East. Defense is their stance, against the equally stubborn defense of their counter parts on the right of the other side. It's a mish-mash of non-sense best defined by Dr Seuss.

[drewboy60]

06:03 PM on 05/21/2011

Israel is surrounded by people that want them wiped off the face of the earth. Netanyahu is 100 times smarter than Obama or his cronies.

[Ziggy Hudson]

06:46 PM on 05/21/2011

Others might say that you are defending your clueless president no matter how foolish his actions are. Obama continues to support the terrorists in Palestine. Maybe he's feeling guilty about letting the Seals wack Bin Laden

[nestici]

09:53 AM on 05/22/2011

Ooo a republican who disagrees with the president, stop the presses.

[BubbaC33]

06:46 PM on 05/21/2011

This matter has nothing to do with the right wing media. It has to do with the future of Israel and how the recent statement by Pres. Obama puts us at risk.

[The Linda]

07:09 PM on 05/21/2011

How does it put us at risk?

[BlackBeaver]

09:07 PM on 05/21/2011

The Linda, Just who is "the right wing media"? Why assume that only those listening to 'them' are being deceived? Is this some Talking Point? Open up your mind, but be skeptical. Listen, read, watch and question what all sources have to say, then decide the facts for yourself. Live by your posted motto. As for this issue, are you suggesting the problem is some "right wing media" conspiracy? I am sure many Israelis would disagree.

[surfundeep]

05:21 PM on 05/21/2011

Obama just got "treated" by a World-class statesman. Not just egg-on-his-face, Obama is wearing the whole yellow chicken on his head this time. A third-string president in decline continues to make a fool of himself at the expense of American prestige. Perhaps an ace reliever like Hillary should be called from the bull-pen.....now and in 2012!

[IloveUSA]

05:08 PM on 05/21/2011

Does Mr. Obama know how the 1967 borders were set???????????

[Andy Osinski]

05:47 PM on 05/21/2011

UN sanctions, wasn't it??

[BubbaC33]

06:47 PM on 05/21/2011

Nope.

[IloveUSA]

04:58 PM on 05/21/2011

Why don't we go back to the 2008 elections and re-do them?

[surfundeep]

05:21 PM on 05/21/2011

Hillary would walk away with it.

[Andy Osinski]

05:49 PM on 05/21/2011

Anybody want to pick a date when Hillary bails out on BHO and announces she's running in 2012??

[tpshd1981]

04:58 PM on 05/21/2011

It's called the Obama spin. Dosen't matter with whom you agree with. You can always change your mind.