Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Israeli Presidential Conference yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu made a plea to President Abbas to take steps to renew peace negotiations.
Barak Ravid reports in Ha’aretz:
“The time has come to end this conflict; tell them that the time has come for two nations to live side-by-side in peace and security.”
“I believe that peace with the Palestinians is possible, but that requires brave leadership on both sides,” he said.
“I ask of you,” Netanyahu added, directing his remarks at the Palestinian leader, “something I have not even asked of myself. We must discuss peace as soon as possible, and I am ready to do so. But these cannot be closed talks. We must say these things to the world, to our people and to the Palestinian people.”
President Obama, who is not at the Conference, sent recorded remarks in which he said that “It is possible to reach a dangerous status quo or deal with the challenges. Like you, I believe that now is the time to act… Israel’s history proves that the impossible can be overcome.”
Shlomo Cezana in Israel Hayom:
The American president said that the friendship between Washington and Jerusalem is more than a strategic alliance, and said that the American people and the Israeli people share the belief that democratic states can change the future.
Cezana also reports that the U.S. is attempting to convene another three-way summit.
President Barack Obama is not giving up. The US is putting pressure on Israel to agree to a summit meeting next month on the basis of Israel’s commitment to reach an agreement and establish a Palestinian state within two years, as well as willingness on Israel’s part to a large-scale withdrawal from Judea and Samaria. According to the American plan, after the summit is held, intensive talks will take place between Israel and the Palestinians for a final status arrangement.