By HILARY LEILA KRIEGER, JPOST CORRESPONDENT
20/05/2011
Obama and Netanyahu meet, discuss range of issues in Middle East; both leaders acknowledge differences in their positions concerning Palestinian issue; Obama says Hamas not a partner for negotiations.

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu acknowledged the differences that divide them even as they emphasized areas of agreement over the peace process, Iran and democratic changes in the Middle East after their White House meeting Friday.

Netanyahu flatly rejected any return to the 1967 borders, the basis – along with agreed land swaps – for a deal with the Palestinians as laid out in a speech by Obama the day before.

“While Israel is prepared to make generous compromises for peace, it cannot go back to the 1967 lines,” Netanyahu said, sitting alongside Obama in the Oval Office. “These lines are indefensible, because they don’t take into account certain changes that have taken place on the ground, demographic changes.”

Netanyahu also ruled out any return of Palestinian refugees to Israel proper or that Israel would negotiate with Hamas, branded a terrorist organization by both US and Israel.

Bibi you could have scored a home run, but you didn't.

It is time to be strong not weak.