Skirting US congress will also be his objective, but might prove to be a bridge to far.
Obama Lays Down Punishment on Netanyahu
Obama administration officials announce the US may agree to UN draft resolution ordering two-state solution, after Netanyahu victory.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu may have just scored a large victory at home, but Israel’s relations with the United States could be on the brink.
The administration of President Barack Obama was particularly prickled by Netanyahu’s assertion on Monday that he no longer supports the two-state solution as well as continued building in Judea and Samaria.
Adding insult to injury for the US was Netanyahu’s comment on election day itself that Israelis must rally to the polls to combat the large number of Arabs going to vote.
As a result, the Obama administration is now carefully weighing whether to agree to a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council, which calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state and Israel’s withdrawal from Judea and Samaria, along with mutually agreed land swaps.
The resolution would also oblige Israel to immediately enter into negotiations with the Palestinian Authority prior to a final peace agreement between both sides.
Several administration officials said Thursday the Obama administration may be likely to agree to the passage of the UN Security Council resolution.
“The premise of our position internationally has been to support direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians,” a senior White House official told the New York Times.
