Obama: Israel must halt West Bank settlements

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"President Obama said today that Israel must stop settlement activity on the West Bank as part of a peace deal leading to creation of a new Palestinian state.

The Palestinians, meanwhile, must improve security in the West Bank and reduce "anti-Israel sentiments" that are expressed in schools and mosques, Obama said after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House.

"We can move this process forward" if both parties live up to their obligations, Obama told reporters,

He said there is no "artificial" timetable for creation of a Palestinian state, but it needs to get done as soon as possible. "I've been a strong believer in a two-state solution," Obama said, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace. He later said, "this is a critical issue to deal with."

Abbas said, "time is of the essence."

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[rateyes]

1. You have spoken softly and correctly, Mr. Obama, it is now time

to use the big stick of pulling funding.

[Political Heretic]

3. Agreed. Words alone aren't going to get the job done, but its step one.

He's saying the right things on I/P. Now comes the question of whether he's prepared to back that up with what it will take to make something happen.

[tan guera]

2. Don't count on it

"The Palestinians, meanwhile, must improve security in the West Bank and reduce "anti-Israel sentiments" that are expressed in schools and mosques, Obama said after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House."

So now is criticizing Israel going to be a crime punishable by imprisonment according to the new bill that's being introduced in Israel?