Obama on Netanyahu's Speech

Netanyahu gave a speech today calling for peace talks and a Palestinian state--only if it's demilitarized.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed the idea of establishing an independent Palestinian state beside Israel for the first time on Sunday, dramatically reversing himself in the face of U.S. pressure but attaching conditions the Palestinians swiftly rejected.

A week after President Obama's address to the Muslim world, Netanyahu said the Palestinian state would have to be unarmed and recognize Israel as a Jewish state — a condition amounting to Palestinian refugees giving up the goal of returning to Israel.

With those conditions, he said, he could accept "a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state."

Read Netanyahu's speech here. Apparently, Netanyahu gave Joe Biden a preview of the speech. If I were a negotiator, I'd sit these two sides down and tell them that the whole world is sick and tired of the squabbling. Obviously, neither side wants to budge.
Extreme right wingers in Israel have labeled Obama a hater of Jewish people. Just like home.
One thing's for sure, the "Obama effect" sure has brought to light a lot of prejudices. Everybody hates everybody. Just wait until Obama starts tackling immigration. Then we'll have to contend with a whole new crop of haters.
What sucky little human race we are. The world would be better left to the frogs. Oh, but we already destroyed most of the frogs. I digress. 
The Palestinians rejected Netanyahu:

Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said the plan "closed the door" to negotiations.

Obama welcomed what Netanyahu had to say:

"The President welcomes the important step forward in Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech. The President is committed to two states, a Jewish state of Israel and an independent Palestine, in the historic homeland of both peoples," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

[President Barack Obama] believes this solution can and must ensure both Israel's security and the fulfillment of the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations for a viable state, and he welcomes Prime Minister Netanyahu's endorsement of that goal," said Gibbs.

"The President will continue working with all parties - Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Arab states, and our Quartet partners - to see that they fulfill their obligations and responsibilities necessary to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a comprehensive regional peace," he added. Check out Haaretz for coverage.