US seeks way forward after Palestinian win at UN

White House spokesman says only ‘face-to-face’ negotiations can lead to two-state solution

By Bradley Klapper 30 November 2012, 10:13 pm Edit
US President Barack Obama, left, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in 2008 (photo credit: Issam Rimawi/Flash90/File)
US President Barack Obama, left, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in 2008 (photo credit: Issam Rimawi/Flash90/File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is scrambling to salvage hopes for Mideast peace talks after the United Nations overwhelmingly voted to recognize a Palestinian state over vehement U.S. and Israeli objections.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is meeting senior Israeli and Palestinian officials Friday to try to plot a path forward.

Clinton is seeing Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. She is also talking to Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, a key mediator.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says only “face-to-face” Israeli-Palestinian negotiations can lead to progress on a two-state solution.

He rejected talk of cutting U.S. aid to the Palestinians after they garnered overwhelming global support to join the U.N. as a nonmember observer state.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.