Netanyahu supports for ‘two states for two people’

Obama and Netanyahu begin their press conference.

Netanyahu says he hopes the Israeli people have helped Obama feel at home.

He mentions Iran’s relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons. Despite the sanctions and the international pressure, he says there’s a need for this to be augmented by “a clear and credible threat of military action.”

He again praises Obama for reiterating Israel’s right to self-defense, and notes that Israel has “both the right and the capability” to defend itself.

Israel can “never cede” the right to defend itself to others — even to the best of its friends, and the US is the best of friends, he notes. He says they’ll be discussing this further.

Netanyahu talks about the terrible civil war in Syria, with the deaths of over 70,000 people and the danger of the deadly non-conventional weaponry there falling into rogue hands.

On the Palestinians, he says “Israel remains fully committed to peace and to the solution of two states for two peoples.” We stretch out our hand in friendship to the Palestinian people, he says. We hope your visit will help us “turn the page” and enable us to “sit down at the negotiating table and achieve “a historic compromise” and end our conflict “once and for all.”

Obama says Netanyahu’s good-looking sons get their looks from their mother. Netanyahu shoots back that the same goes for Obama’s daughters.

Obama mentions Israel’s “unique” security challenges.

He promises “no interruption” in funding for Iron Dome.

He says Israel has an interest in “a strong, effective Palestinian Authority” and talks about future steps toward Israeli-Palestinian peace.

He says they discussed ways to ensure Israel’s security amid the change in the region.

On Syria, the US is working to end the violence in Syria. The US shares Israel concern over the possible transfer of weaponry to Hezbollah. THe Assad regime will be held responsible.

On Iran, we agree on the goal. “Our policy is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.” Diplomacy is preferred. The pressure will continue. The US will consult with Israel. “All options are on the table. We will do what is necessary to prevent Iran getting the world’s worst weapons.”

Israel has “the unwavering support of the United States” on its side.