Obama urges Israel, Palestine to progress with peace talks

Washington: President Barack Obama is challenging Israelis and Palestinians to be fair brokers in the quest for Midle East peace.

The plan for peace faces new trouble, but Obama says he "will do everything I can."

"We can't continue with the drift, with the increased fear and resentment on both sides, the sense of hopelessness around the situation that we've seen for many years now," he said on Thursday, referring to the idea of Palestinians and Israelis living peacefully as neighbours.

"We need to get this thing back on track"

Obama asked Israel to stop colony construction in the Occupied West Bank, yet earlier the same day, Israelis rejected the demand. Obama pushed Palestinians for progress, too, including a direct call to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to reduce anti-Israeli sentiment in schools and mosques.

"I am confident that we can move this process forward," Obama said after meeting with Abbas at the White House. The president said that means both sides must "meet the obligations that they've already committed to" an element of the peace effort that has proved elusive for years.

Israel rejected US requests to freeze construction in the Occupied West Bank, a territory that would make up the Palestinian state, along with the Gaza Strip.

In strong language, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said on Wednesday that Obama wants a halt to all colony construction, including "natural growth." Israel uses that term for new housing and other construction that it says will accommodate the growth of families already living in existing colonies.

Israeli spokesman Mark Regev responded by saying some construction would go on. "Normal life in those communities must be allowed to continue," he said, noting Israel has already agreed not to build new colonies and to remove some tiny, unauthorised colonist outposts.

Regev said the fate of the colonies would be determined in peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

With that as a backdrop, Obama said part of Israel's obligations include "stopping colonies." But he also struck a hopeful tone. He said that he had pressed Netanyahu on the settlement matter and the Israeli leader needs to work through the issue with his own government. "I think it's important not to assume the worst, but to assume the best," Obama said.

The President also pushed Palestinians to hold up their end, including increased security in Occupied West Bank to give Israelis confidence in their safety. Obama said he told Abbas the Palestinians must find a way to halt the incitement of anti-Israeli sentiments that are sometimes expressed in public arenas.

"All those things are impediments to peace," Obama said.

Asked about his impression of the meeting with Obama, Abbas said: "It was a serious and open meeting and President Obama seems determined on what he has said to us and to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu about the necessity of implementing the road map, and we have agreed to continue our communications."

Meanwhile, Palestinians' top negotiator said he was "encouraged" following Abbas' meeting with Obama.

"Palestinians are encouraged by the commitment President Obama and his administration have shown to Middle East peace." Saeb Erekat said in a statement.

"Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is central to regional stability and peace," Erekat said.

"The establishment of a viable Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, and a just resolution to the Palestinian refugee issue in accordance with UN Resolution 194, will create a more secure and stable Middle East."

Do you think Obama will do everything he can in order to achieve peace in the region? How do you think Obama's strategies are different from those of former US presidents?