London. The U.S. president, Barack Obama, has opined that the Palestinian attempts to gain UN recognition of an independent state are so "unrealistic" and "symbolic" because, in his view, this initiative completely ignores Israel's position , a country considered as an essential to achieve a peace agreement in the Middle East, explained on Sunday in an exclusive interview to the BBC.
The Palestinians seek to obtain recognition of their state as a member of the UN next September as the stagnant peace talks with Israel. Just yesterday, the member of the Central Committee of Fatah, Nabil Saath, encouraged Obama to join other countries that have already expressed their support for the formation of a Palestinian state comprising the West Bank and East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel.
However, as he did earlier this week, Obama returned to rule today against the proposal and urged not to ignore Israel's position as a direct neighbor and a negotiator, or otherwise all progress will be in vain "I think the idea of wanting to resolve this issue before the United Nations is unrealistic," says the president.
"He have made it clear to the Palestinians: 'Whatever happens in the UN, you'll have to talk to Israel'" he said. Otherwise, "everything they (the Palestinians) will propose to the UN merely symbolic, because it avoids the real problem." Following security and territories in the Middle East conflict, Obama laid the groundwork for negotiations on two key aspects: security for Israel and the Palestinian territories.
In this regard, the President felt it essential that Israel contemplates the option of a two-state solution, bounded by the borders prior to the Israeli occupation of 1967. "If at the end will be two states, the basis for negotiation has to cover the situation of the 1967 borders," said Obama, who on the other hand insisted that "Israel will have to receive security assurances" to any possible violent action that could take his sworn enemy, the Islamist movement Hamas.
In any case, the President asked that the debate should focus on these two aspects. "I say that we have to start talking about territory and security, because if we progress from the reality we live two states, will be easier for each state make its concessions (during negotiations)," he said.
However, Obama lamented the recent reconciliation agreement signed between Hamas and the moderate Palestinian faction Fatah, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. "And I do it for the reason that Hamas has not recognized Israel, and Israel is difficult to sit down with someone who denies its right to exist," he said. 
The Palestinians seek to obtain recognition of their state as a member of the UN next September as the stagnant peace talks with Israel. Just yesterday, the member of the Central Committee of Fatah, Nabil Saath, encouraged Obama to join other countries that have already expressed their support for the formation of a Palestinian state comprising the West Bank and East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel.
However, as he did earlier this week, Obama returned to rule today against the proposal and urged not to ignore Israel's position as a direct neighbor and a negotiator, or otherwise all progress will be in vain "I think the idea of wanting to resolve this issue before the United Nations is unrealistic," says the president.
"He have made it clear to the Palestinians: 'Whatever happens in the UN, you'll have to talk to Israel'" he said. Otherwise, "everything they (the Palestinians) will propose to the UN merely symbolic, because it avoids the real problem." Following security and territories in the Middle East conflict, Obama laid the groundwork for negotiations on two key aspects: security for Israel and the Palestinian territories.
In this regard, the President felt it essential that Israel contemplates the option of a two-state solution, bounded by the borders prior to the Israeli occupation of 1967. "If at the end will be two states, the basis for negotiation has to cover the situation of the 1967 borders," said Obama, who on the other hand insisted that "Israel will have to receive security assurances" to any possible violent action that could take his sworn enemy, the Islamist movement Hamas.
In any case, the President asked that the debate should focus on these two aspects. "I say that we have to start talking about territory and security, because if we progress from the reality we live two states, will be easier for each state make its concessions (during negotiations)," he said.
However, Obama lamented the recent reconciliation agreement signed between Hamas and the moderate Palestinian faction Fatah, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. "And I do it for the reason that Hamas has not recognized Israel, and Israel is difficult to sit down with someone who denies its right to exist," he said.
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