CRI听力:Obama Calls on Israel and Palestine to Compromise

U.S. President Barack Obama has issued a new call for both the Israeli and Palestinian sides to reach a compromise in establishing a new peace-treaty framework.

Obama has made the call while meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

"It's my belief that ultimately it is still possible to create two states a Jewish state of Israel and a state of Palestine in which people are living side by side in peace and security. But it's difficult and it requires compromise on all sides, and I just want to publicly again commend the prime minister for the seriousness with which he's taken these discussions."

For his part, Netanyahu says for that to happen, the Palestinians need to recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people.

"The Palestinians expect us to recognize a Palestinian state for the Palestinian people, a nation-state for the Palestinian people. I think it's about time they recognize a nation-state for the Jewish people."

The Israeli Prime Minister has been vowing to maintain a tough line in negotiations, despite facing heavy international pressure to begin making concessions to the Palestinians.

Obama has warned of a potential international backlash against Israel if the current peace talks break down.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to present a proposal for a new peace deal by April, with the expectation the Israeli and Palestinian sides will agree to continue their talks for a 6 to 12-month period.