Peace process/Two-state solution – USDoS press briefing/Non-UN document (excerpts)

Jen Psaki

Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing

Washington, DC

June 10, 2014

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MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS

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TRANSCRIPT:

1:36 p.m. EDT

QUESTION: Peace process.

MS. PSAKI: Peace process, sure.

QUESTION: A ministerial – or a delegation from Arab foreign ministers will be coming to Washington soon to discuss the peace process and the settlements with Secretary Kerry. Do you have anything on this?

MS. PSAKI: I don’t. I’m happy to check and see if there’s anything to report to all of you on the schedule.

QUESTION: But can you confirm that there was a meeting of the follow-up committee they call the Arab League Follow Up Committee?

MS. PSAKI: I would have you – I would suggest you confirm that with them and what their schedule is. They have quarterly meetings, I believe, so – but again —

QUESTION: You can’t confirm that the ministers (inaudible)?

MS. PSAKI: I think Michel was asking about their visit to Washington as a whole. I don’t have any details on a meeting coming up with the Secretary. It may just be that we plan things out a week – week by week, as you all know.

QUESTION: Was there – on the peace process. Do you have any comment on the new Israeli president?

MS. PSAKI: Well, we congratulate Mr. Rivlin on his election as the next president of Israel. We look forward to working with him after he takes office in July.

QUESTION: But you’re not concerned that he holds some really hardline positions, especially on settlements?

MS. PSAKI: I’m not going to comment on his personal opinions. Prime Minister Netanyahu has made clear that the Government of Israel supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As you know, we strongly believe that the two-state solution remains the only viable alternative. You know our view on settlements as well.

QUESTION: Does it not compromise your negotiations, though, and your diplomacy if you have a president who does not believe in the Palestinian state?

MS. PSAKI: Well, again, Jo, we have been negotiating. In the past, the negotiations have occurred between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas. And obviously they’re on hold at this point and I don’t have any prediction of their resumption.

QUESTION: Is that why you’re – is that your way of saying that the president’s views really are not germane because he doesn’t have decision-making or policy power in the government?

MS. PSAKI: That’s not at all what I was saying. We’ll let him take office in July and we’ll see what happens from there

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2014/06/227375.htm#MIDDLEEASTPEACEPROCESS