Image by Getty Images

President Barack Obama in his message congratulating Benjamin Netanyahu on forming a new Israeli government emphasized the “importance” of a two-state solution.

“President Obama looks forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his new government,” the statement released Thursday said.

“As the president has emphasized, the United States places great importance on our close military, intelligence, and security cooperation with Israel, which reflects the deep and abiding partnership between both countries. We also look forward to continuing consultations on a range of regional issues, including international negotiations to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and the importance of pursuing a two-state solution.”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Immediately after the March 17 election, Obama administration officials said they were “reevaluating” how best to pursue peace and defend Israel in international forums because of Netanyahu’s apparent retreat on the eve of balloting from embracing the two-state solution.

Netanyahu subsequently said he meant that he did not believe that the region was ready for a two-state solution, adding that he continued to favor it.

The administration soon dropped claims it was “reevaluating” the relationship, although officials made clear that they were waiting to see whether the new government was ready to work within the formula of an outcome that included a Palestinian state existing alongside Israel.

The narrow coalition Netanyahu formed Wednesday night has a majority of just one in the Knesset and is considered to be the most right leaning in Israel’s history, with top figures in its makeup actively opposing a two-state solution.

The Obama and Netanyahu administrations have been at odds over the framework nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers, as well as Netanyahu’s speech to Congress in March two weeks before the Israeli elections. The White House had not been consulted about the address, which spelled out the Israeli leader’s objections to an Iran nuclear deal that had not yet been signed.

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount