Obama stresses commitment to two-state solution

US President Barack Obama met late Wednesday in the Oval Office with President Reuven Rivlin of Israel.

President Obama and President Rivlin also discussed regional challenges, including the conflict in Syria and Daesh.

The leaders discussed their mutual concern about the ongoing violence in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Israel, and the importance of Israeli and Palestinian leaders taking steps to reduce violence and restore calm through both action and rhetoric.

Obama underscored the commitment of the United States to a two-state solution, to the vision of a viable, sovereign Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with a democratic, secure Jewish state of Israel.

He highlighted that the United States would continue to urge Israeli and Palestinian leaders to take the significant steps necessary to enable the possibility of peace.

Obama underscored the abiding US commitment to the US-Israeli relationship and to further strengthening Israel’s security.

During the meeting, the leaders discussed the ongoing bilateral talks regarding a new 10-year Memorandum of Understanding on security assistance to Israel, which resumed last week.

Sources: MENA