Obama: Palestine-Israel Solution Must Be Based on 1967 Borders

May 19, 2011

Palestinians hold Palestinian flags during a demonstration near the border between Gaza and Israel (file photo)

Obama has endorsed a key Palestinian demand that a Palestinian state should be based on borders as they existed before the 1967 Six-Day War.

“The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states.”

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the U.S. policy shift "indefensible."

Obama hosts the Israeli leader at the White House on Friday, in what is sure to be a contentious meeting.

The president is also scheduled to speak Sunday to the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, the nation’s largest pro-Israel lobbying organization.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is seeking urgent consultations with Arab leaders regarding Obama's address.

The president devoted the final portion of his 46-minute speech to the continuing failure to advance the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which have been stalled since last September.

“Now, ultimately, it is up to the Israelis and Palestinians to take action. No peace can be imposed upon them - not by the United States, not by anybody else. But endless delay will not make the problem go away.”