President Barack Obama stressed his desire on Tuesday for Israel and Palestine to reach a two-state solution, saying he "will never give up hope," but adding that he sees a "difficult path forward."
"I will never give up on the hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians," Obama told the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, reported The Hill. "Palestinians deserve an end to the occupation and the daily indignities that come with it."
Israel has often been accused of implementing an apartheid-like system in the occupied Palestinian territory and committing human rights violations. These include targeted assassinations - including of innocent civilians - mass imprisonment, limiting food and water supplies, frequent military incursions and house demolitions, according to the United Nations.
The latest confrontation between Israel and Palestine, during the summer of 2014, resulted in the death of more than 2,100 Palestinians - 501 who were children and more than 250 women. A total of 71 Israelis were killed, 66 of who were soldiers, according to the U.N. Office for the Corrdination of Humanitarian Affairs.
"That's why we've worked so hard over the years for a two-state solution and to develop innovative ways to address Israel's security and Palestinian sovereignty needs," Obama continued.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released basic guidelines Wednesday which, while bearing no mention of a two-state solution, include a statement saying that "the government will advance the diplomatic process and will strive for a peace agreement with the Palestinians and with all our neighbors," reported Haaretz.
Obama said that while he will never give up hope, "It's no secret that we now have a very difficult path forward. As a result, the United States is taking a hard look at our approach to the conflict."
"We look to the new Israeli government and the Palestinians to demonstrate - through policies and actions - a genuine commitment to a two-state solution," he added. "Only then can trust be rebuilt and a cycle of escalation avoided."
Obama concluded: "Addressing the lasting impact in Gaza of last summer's conflict should also be central to any effort. Ultimately, the parties will need to address not just Gaza's immediate humanitarian and reconstruction needs, but also core challenges to Gaza's future within a two-state context, including reinvigorating Gaza's connection with the West Bank and reestablishing strong commercial links with Israel and the global economy."
A group of high-profile former European political leaders sent a letter this week to the European Union's foreign policy chief, calling for Israel to be held accountable for its actions in the occupied territories. The group also expressed doubts as to whether the U.S. is capable of leading productive negotiations between Israel and Palestine, reported The Guardian.
