Obama says Palestine must be based in 1967 borders
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is endorsing the Palestinians’ demand for
their future state to be based on the borders that existed before the 1967
Middle East war, in a move that will likely infuriate Israel. Israel says the
borders of a Palestinian state have to be determined through negotiations.
In a speech outlining U.S. policy in the Middle East and North Africa, Obama
on Thursday sided with the Palestinians’ opening position a day ahead of a visit
to Washington by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu is
vehemently opposed to referring to the 1967 borders.
Until Thursday, the U.S. position had been that the Palestinian goal of a
state based on the 1967 borders, with agreed land swaps, should be reconciled
with Israel’s desire for a secure Jewish state through negotiations.
