US President Obama addresses GA saying talks were the only way to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict – UN news item (excerpts)

Talks the only way to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Obama tells UN

21 September 2011 – Peace between Israel and the Palestinians can only be attained through negotiations, United States President Barack Obama told the General Assembly today, urging both sides to make compromises to break the current deadlock and saying that “statements and resolutions” at the United Nations will not resolve the conflict.

“Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians who must live side by side. Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians – not us – who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them: on borders and security; on refugees and Jerusalem,” Mr. Obama said in his speech to the General Assembly’s annual general debate.

He stressed that Palestinians deserved their own State and that Israel for its part deserved recognition and normal relations with its neighbours.

“Friends of the Palestinians do them no favours by ignoring this truth, just as friends of Israel must recognize the need to pursue a two-State solution with a secure Israel next to an independent Palestine.”

The fact that each side had legitimate aspirations was one of the reasons why it has been difficult to make peace, Mr. Obama said.

“The deadlock will only be broken when each side learns to stand in the other’s shoes; each side can see the world through the other’s eyes. That’s what we should be encouraging. That’s what we should be promoting.”

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