Obama undercuts Israeli negotiations

Despite White House claims to the contrary, Obama this morning has nevertheless called for Israel to return to its pre-1967 borders.

The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine.  We believe the borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines, with mutually-agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states.  The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves and reach their full potential in a sovereign and contiguous state.

Obama drops this bombshell (not entirely unexpected, but not now) just before the visit of Benjamin Netanyahu.  As Dr. Krauthammer has already pointed out (expecting this development in the face of White House denials the day before), the question of borders is something that Netanyahu should deal with & use to the extent that he can in his negotiations with the Palestinians.  I don’t understand what advantage Obama sees in offering this up instead, other than to undercut the Israelis to his own political advantage.

And "contiguous"?  Take a look at a map.  Tell me what that looks like.

Update:  Netanyahu says 'no'.  That took hardly any time at all.

Update:  Various analyses of Obama's speech have been rolling in, including this by William Dobson of the Washington Post.  He lists the countries that Obama directs to allow the reforms that need to happen, yet somehow leaves out Saudi Arabia.