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President Barack Obama has warned Israel of "international fallout" if it does not endorse
a US framework for a peace deal with the Palestinians. Ahead of talks at the White House, Mr Obama
told the Bloomberg news agency that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needed to "seize
the moment". But Mr Netanyahu reacted defiantly, vowing:
"I won't give in to pressure." There has been little sign of progress from
the direct talks that resumed in July after a three-year hiatus.
At the time, Washington said it sought to achieve a deal on a solution to the decades-old
conflict by 29 April, but officials say a framework accord on core issues would enable
negotiations to continue beyond that date. 'Vital interests'
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says Mr Netanyahu wants Monday's talks to focus on
Iran's controversial nuclear programme. He believes the US and other world powers
are being naive in their negotiations with Tehran, and he is opposed to an agreement
that would allow uranium enrichment to continue at low levels.
But Mr Obama is unlikely to budge and is planning to press the Israeli prime minister on peace
with the Palestinians, our correspondent adds. The US president wants both sides to agree
to the framework document - not yet made public - proposed by his Secretary of State, John
Kerry, which seeks to achieve consensus on core issues.
They include the borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state; the status of
Jerusalem; Israel's insistence that it be recognised as a Jewish state; the Palestinians'
demand that their refugees be allowed to return to their former homes in what is now Israel;
and security arrangements in the West Bank, with Israel wanting a long-term presence in
the Jordan Valley. In an interview with Bloomberg published on
Sunday, Mr Obama said he would warn Mr Netanyahu that the "window is closing" for a peace deal.
occupied West Bank, Mr Obama warned, Washington would have limited ability to protect Israel
on 17 March, was "sincere about his willingness to recognise Israel and its right to exist,
issues in a diplomatic fashion that meets the concerns of the people of Israel".