USA: Israel must accept Obama's plan. The White House gives a month to think

Steve Simon, the new head of the Department of the Middle East and North Africa of the US National Security Council, said in an interview with the leaders of the Jewish communities of the United States of America that Israel should accept the new Barack Obama plan as the basis for negotiations, Newsru Israel reports with the Haaretz link.

Steve Simon replaced Dana Shapiro as this post. He stated that Israel has about a month to think about the answer. Steve Simon believes that the adoption of the Obama plan will prevent the recognition of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

Recall that Barack Obama said that Middle Eastern peaceful settlement should be based on the 1967 borders, with the exchange of territories to observe the interests of both parties.

Barack Obama emphasized that the Palestinian terrorist organization "Hamas" is obliged to recognize Israel's right to exist. He noted that Hamas and Fath should develop a single position in relation to Israel and peaceful dialogue. Without such a position, the resumption of negotiations seems unlikely to the US President, notes the Kol Israel radio station.

The American leader also noted that the Palestinians are trying in vain to "bypass Israel" and achieve the creation of the state through the UN. Barack Obama called this plan "unrealistic", emphasizing that the UN recognition without peaceful negotiations is devoid of meaning.

The president said that Israel needs security guarantees and should be sure of the ability to protect itself, if necessary, especially in the light of Gaza and Lebanon sector.

The prime minister of Israel, during a speech in the US Congress, said that Israel would not return to the 1967 borders, which cannot be protected, Palestinian refugees will return to the Palestinian rather than a Jewish state, and Jerusalem will remain a single and indivisible capital of the Israelis. At the same time, he promised that in this city everyone would be ensured by freedom of religion, which Israel would be defended.