United States President Barack Obama vowed late Tuesday to hold Israel "accountable" if it takes actions that "undermine trust" during U.S.-mediated talks launched this week.
Obama made the pledge in a telephone call with American-backed Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in which he also urged both parties to "negotiate seriously and in good faith and to move from proximity talks to direct negotiations as soon as possible," the White House said. Abbas is viewed by many in the Middle East to be a puppet leader loyal to America. Negotiations between Abbas and Israel are geared towards forcing the Jewish state to surrender Judea, Samaria and most of Jerusalem to the PA.
Obama made the pledge in a telephone call with American-backed Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in which he also urged both parties to "negotiate seriously and in good faith and to move from proximity talks to direct negotiations as soon as possible," the White House said. Abbas is viewed by many in the Middle East to be a puppet leader loyal to America. Negotiations between Abbas and Israel are geared towards forcing the Jewish state to surrender Judea, Samaria and most of Jerusalem to the PA.