White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough bluntly told a liberal pro-Israel lobby group yesterday “an occupation that has lasted for almost 50 years must end.”
He added, “President Obama still firmly believes what he said in Jerusalem two years ago — that peace is necessary, just and possible. Peace is necessary because it is the only way to ensure that a secure state of Israel is both Jewish and democratic. Israel cannot maintain military control of another people indefinitely. That’s the truth.”
It’s not the first time the word “occupation” has been used by an Obama official. In fact, in 2013, President Obama used it himself.
“The Palestinian people deserve an end to occupation and the daily indignities that come with it,” Obama said in Ramallah during a joint appearance with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
McDonough’s remarks continued the White House’s pushback against Netanyahu’s comments before his re-election that a two-state solution was off the table. Netanyahu has since walked back the remarks.
“Over the course of President Obama’s administration,” McDonough said, “most recently with the tireless efforts of Secretary Kerry, the United States has expended tremendous energy in pursuit of this goal. That is why the prime minister’s comments on the eve of the election — in which he first intimated and then made very clear in response to a follow-up question that a Palestinian state will not be established while he is prime minister — were so troubling.”
McDonough said the Obama administration will continue to oppose Israeli settlement expansion because “it undermines the prospects for peace.”
Obama needs to stay out of Israel’s business!!
It is ownership not occupation.
Obama is clueless perhaps he would like a large group of terrorist in his backyard?
Stop meddling in how this man protects his people.
The WH needs to mind HIS own business. Last time I checked God wasn’t a Muslim!
the Israelis don’t want to live in peace with the rest of the world though, they want to live in peace with jews and jews ONLY
if they did, they would’ve never allowed their $#%&!@* the USA elect obama….since we are HUGE puppets of Israel and they appoint our presidents you would think obama would be gone already, why’s he still here? how did he get in in the first place if jews want peace?
How can you occupy land that GOD has given you ? Actually they own more land than they now possess and should take all of their land back !!! And they will possess that before said land before our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST return to his temple in Jerusalem !!! AMEN !!!
What do they mean 50 years? God gave them Israel FOREVER!! N
Bibi tell the White House to eat $#%&!@*.