Officials: Obama ignored Palestine in Netanyahu meeting

US President Barack Obama meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
(Reuters/Jason Reed)

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- After US President Barack Obama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Palestinian officials complained ending Israel's occupation of Palestine had dropped off the agenda.

PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi said accused Obama of "undermining America's role in the Middle East by avoiding the issue of Israel's military occupation of Palestine."

"The occupation is not only detrimental to the Palestinians and Israeli moral fiber, but it is contrary to US interests and for peace, security, and democracy in the Middle East."

The meeting between Obama and Netanyahu focused on Iran's nuclear ambitions, with the US leader urging restraint, and the Israeli premier warning that time was running out.

Palestinian National Initiative head Mustafa Barghouti warned: "There will be no real peace in the Middle East without a free Palestine and ending the occupation and apartheid system that Netanyahu is trying to consolidate.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu is dragging the region toward war. Instead, the US should be pressing for the whole region, including Israel, to be a nuclear-free zone."

A former legal adviser to Palestinian negotiators, Diana Buttu, accused Palestine of "clearly positioning himself for re-election."

"After being the person who, in his first act as president of the United States, called the Palestinian leader to assure him that he would work for an end to Israel's military rule over Palestine ... Obama has now fully ignored the Palestinians in favor of a few cheap votes."
Maan News Agency: Officials