Obama: Israel, Palestine borders must be based on 1967 lines

In major Mideast policy speech, U.S. president says U.S. opposes Palestinian acts against Israel at UN; Obama also says Syria's Assad must lead transition to democracy or 'get out of the way.'

By Natasha Mozgovaya, News Agencies and Haaretz Service

U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday that the U.S. endorses the Palestinians' demand for their future state to be based on the borders that existed before the 1967 Middle East war.

"The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states," Obama stressed during a major Mideast policy speech at the State Department.

"The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state. "

Obama urged Palestinians and Israelis to renew peace talks, and stressed that the Palestinians' efforts to delegitimize Israel will fail.

"For the Palestinians, efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure. Symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations in September won’t create an independent state," Obama said. 

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