Netanyahu firm on D.C. talks

Mon., March 3, 2014

JERUSALEM – Israel’s prime minister headed to Washington on Sunday for a high-stakes meeting with President Barack Obama about U.S.-led Mideast peace efforts, vowing to maintain a tough line in the face of heavy international pressure to begin making concessions to the Palestinians.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s defiant tone set the stage for what could be a difficult meeting today with Obama. But with the clock ticking toward an April target date for a preliminary agreement, the Israeli leader could soon be forced to begin laying out a clearer vision for a future peace deal with the Palestinians.

Shortly before takeoff, Netanyahu vowed to “stand steadfast” on Israeli interests.

After two decades of intermittent negotiations, including five years of deadlock following Netanyahu’s return to power in 2009, the United States relaunched peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians last July. The sides agreed to a nine-month target for forging a final peace deal.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has traveled to the region more than 10 times for meetings with Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday, Kerry said Netanyahu’s White House meeting should not be viewed as a “showdown.” He said conversations would continue with both sides, “and hopefully, over the next weeks, we can reach some kind of understanding about how to negotiate a final status agreement.”

Associated Press

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Netanyahu firm on D.C. talks

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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