Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu thanked U.S. President Barack Obama for opposing the Palestinian statehood bid saying he wore the badge of honor for insisting negotiations are the only way to achieve peace. Speaking at a joint press conference, Netanyahu said the Palestinian bid through channels other than negotiations is bad for Israel, bad for the Palestinians and bad for peace. Obama welcomed Netanyahu to the U.S. saying Washington's pursuit of a just and lasting peace is compatible with Israel's needs. Obama was scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later in the day, hoping to persuade him to drop the statehood bid and return to the negotiating table.
