Mediator Tony Blair of the Quartet of Middle East peace-broker nations expressed skepticism Monday about the prospects for peace because of Israel's new government. Blair spoke Monday after meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
Blair said "the only solution that will ever work" is two states living side by side in peace. Blair said he thought Netanyahu would come around to the idea of a Palestinian Authority state next to Israel "if the right context can be created for peace." Blair said there must be time for the new governments in Israel and the United States to "settle down."
Responding to United States President Barack Obama's support on Monday for the two-state solution, Netanyahu aide Yossi Levi said, "Israel appreciates President Obama's commitment to Israel's security and his wish to promote the peace process. The government of Israel is committed to these two goals, and will soon formulate its policy to act in cooperation with the United States."