Obama to Rivlin: Peace may seem distant, but we have to try

WASHINGTON – The chance of reaching peace between Israel and the Palestinians appears remote, but the push for an agreement must continue, US President Barack Obama said Wednesday as he met with his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin at the White House.

“Although obviously this is a time in which the prospects of serious peace may seem distant, it is important that we continue to try,” he said.

Rivlin’s first visit to the White House as Israel’s head of state got off to a warm start Wednesday afternoon, as he and Obama exchanged friendly statements before an Oval Office meeting.

Rivlin emphasized the importance of US-Israel ties, and echoed the Obama administration’s own insistence that Israel’s security challenges did not reflect a conflict with Islam, but rather with radicalism.

“We have no war with Islam,” Rivlin said in his first public appearance at the White House. “We have war against those who are using ideas in order to create extremism and threats towards all innocent people in the world.”

The two sat side by side, framed by Christmas decorations set up by White House staff.

“Well, the obvious should be said from time to time and even written, Israel has no greater friend than the United States of America,” Rivlin said. “That has to be very clear and I say this loud and clear. Mr. President, we are facing the future and we would like at the same time to thank you from the bottom of our hearts, the people of Israel, for what you have done over the last years for the financial, diplomatic and military help you have given us.”

“You have given us the ability to stand against the threats of today, and of tomorrow,” he said.

Striking a festive note, Rivlin compared Obama to the shamash – the “helper” candle in a Hanukkah menorah which is used to light all the other candles.

“We know, Mr. President, that you have lit the candle for the last seven years to show the right way for your people, and for the entire world, and we are very sure that the eighth candle that you will light in the next year will be same, and show the whole world how to fight what we should not accept,” he said.

Obama also stressed the closeness of ties between the two states, telling Rivlin that Wednesday’s meeting was another opportunity to “reaffirm the unbreakable bonds between our two countries and our two people.”

“We consider our commitment to Israel’s security to be one of the most important principles of American foreign policy,” Obama emphasized. “It is one that is shared by Democrats and Republicans alike.”

Obama said that after the two adjourned to meet in the Oval Office, he planned to discuss “the work that we’re doing to develop another memorandum of understanding that can lay the foundation for additional long-term assistance for Israel’s defenses.”

According to Obama, the two were also to discuss “the challenges that we all face from terrorism, from instability in the Middle East,” in what he described as “a very volatile neighborhood.”

In anticipation of his meeting with Obama, Rivlin published an opinion piece in the Washington Post in which he outlined what he described as “what Israel should do to lay the groundwork for peace.”

“As I write this, there is no currently viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” Rivlin wrote. “There is no diplomatic process underway, and no indication of imminent negotiations.”

“Yet, even with no way forward, even with no clear timetable for an end to the conflict — the tragedy that envelops us all — we are duty bound to recognize where and how we can take effective action to improve the prospect that we will be able to live together, Jews and Arabs, in our region as we are destined rather than doomed to do,” he continued.

During their brief interaction before the cameras Wednesday, Obama echoed Rivlin’s sentiments.

“We will have the opportunity to discuss the challenges that Israel faces internally and the ways in which we can be helpful in dampening down tensions between Israelis and Palestinians,” Obama said. “I have been very clear in condemning the violence that is reoccurring inside of Israel, the need for leaders like President Abbas to unequivocally condemn violence which has been taking place, the need to end incitement, but also the need for Israelis and Palestinians to find mechanisms in which to dialogue and arrive at peace.”

Obama also praised the president for “making it one of his hallmarks to improve dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians and Arab Israeli citizens and the larger majority.”

“We very much appreciate the work he has done there,” Obama added.

After the meeting Rivlin was expected to attend one of the two annual White House Hanukkah parties, which gathers hundreds of American-Jewish luminaries for rare kosher refreshments and candle lighting with the president.