Fury as Obama tells Israel to return to 1967 borders in speech urging Middle East to seize 'moment of opportunity' in wake of Bin Laden's death

Fury as Obama tells Israel to return to 1967 borders in speech urging Middle East to seize 'moment of opportunity' in wake of Bin Laden's death: "The Israeli Prime Minister voiced outrage at Barack Obama’s vision of Palestinian state on the borders of 1967 as he headed for talks in Washington DC.

Benjamin Netanyahu said the plan, endorsed by the President in a key speech on Middle East policy on Thursday, could leave Israel ‘indefensible’.

Candidates for the Republican presidential nomination were also quick to claim that Mr Obama had undermined the sensitive and delicate negotiations for Middle East peace.

‘The viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of Israel's existence,’ said Mr Netanyahu before flying to the U.S. for scheduled talks with Mr Obama.

Responding to the major speech outlining Middle East strategy, Mr Netanyahu said he expected Washington to let Israel keep major settlement blocs beyond the 1967 lines in the occupied West Bank, under any peace deal with Palestinians.

Israeli officials seemed taken aback by the language in Obama's speech. Asked if Netnayahu had been forewarned by Washington, one said: ‘No comment.’ But some Israeli reporters accompanying the prime minister predicted a stormy meeting. Read More

"