James Baker slams Netanyahu's 'diplomatic missteps'

posted on: Mar 24, 2015

Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker harshly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the J Street conference in Washington on Monday, echoing White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough’s comments earlier in the day.

Baker acknowledged his disappointment with “the lack of progress regarding a lasting peace,” saying that the chances for a two-state solution diminished since Netanyahu’s reelection last week.

Baker further slammed Netanyahu’s “diplomatic missteps and political gamesmanship,” saying that the prime minister’s “actions have not matched his rhetoric,” according to Politico.

Earlier in the day, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough offered a similar rebuke of Netanyahu – specifically the prime minister’s claims that no Palestinian state would be established on his watch.

“We cannot simply pretend that those comments were never made,” McDonough told the conference.

Baker continued by claiming that hardliners on both sides are the biggest impediment to peace.

Source: www.haaretz.com