BICOM

US President Barack Obama told a delegation of Jewish leaders on Tuesday that Israel must create a context for peace with the Palestinians. President Obama said that Israel must use its military, political and cultural strength to create this climate in order to move forward towards peace talks. The participants who attended the meeting reported that President Obama said that the Palestinians are not confident with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government as a serious partner for peace negotiations. The US president told the delegates that PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas would be willing to accept a deal establishing a Palestinian state during his tenure.

A White House statement said that the meeting was productive and noted “America’s unshakable support for Israel’s security, opposition to any effort to delegitimise it or single it out for criticism, and commitment to achieve a peace that will secure the future for Arabs and Israelis alike.” Two of the president’s senior Middle East advisors, Dennis Ross and Fred Hoff, are scheduled to arrive in Israel in the coming days. The two will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak and will focus on the possible avenues for renewing the peace process with the Palestinians. Regional developments in the Arab world are also likely to feature high on the agenda.