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.”
Well, Mr. Netanyahu. you know where to tell Obama to go.
And non-Indian land too. However, the Salish Indians/Kootenai Indians are trying to take away the off-reservation water rights in MT. That isn’t right either.
US ,especially the president, needs to keep his nose out of their business. We just need to help them with what they need as a nation. That is Gods chosen, HANDS. OFF.
Well I try and base my opinion on fact. Not fiction. The bible also says you can own and beat slaves. It also says a 900 year old built a boat and put two of every creature on earth on it. Not a reliable source of information to anyone using logic to make a decision.
That property belongs to Israel, when will the world get it.
Obama is messing with the working end of a rattelsnake. He wishes he could live up toN
i cant wait to see what happens.you dont have to believe in god to seen divine takes care of his people
They want Levant .. the old Ottoman Empire restored.
really let our enemys have what they want and our friends have to take orders really
It is not an occupation. GOD GAVE THE JEWISH PEOPLE MUCH MORE LANDM$#%&!@* THAN THEY NOW HAVE. READ THE BIBLE FOR THE BOUNDARIES. The “Palestinians” are Arabs. Why don’t one of the Arab countries give them some of their land? BECAUSE THEY HATE THE JEWS & SIMPLY WANT WHAT IS NOT THEIRS TO HAVE. B This is an “excuse” for a takeover & Palestinian (Arab occupation.”)