In a remarkably candid interview published today by Time Magazine, President Obama reiterated his commitment to Israeli-Palestinian peace and acknowledged that his efforts over the past year were stymied by the domestic political environments in Israel and among the Palestinians.

President Obama also noted that Israel failed to "move with any bold gestures" toward peace negotiations. 

  
"Obama was right to identify the domestic constraints that Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas face as a major challenge to peace. And I was pleased to hear him reiterate his commitment to keep working towards a two-state solution," said Debra DeLee, Americans for Peace Now (APN) president and CEO. "But in order to succeed, Obama will need to challenge both sides to rise above petty politics and to take real, brave steps towards peace. Success requires diplomatic finesse. It also requires playing hardball: confronting leaders on either side when they fail to do the right thing for peace."

Yesterday APN released a policy document urging the Obama administration to be more assertive in its pursuit of peace. Read that document at: http://peacenow.org/entries/play_hardball_for_the_sake_of_peace

APN is America's leading organization advocating for peace for Israel.