US President Barack Obama said Thursday that he's working to get theIsraelis and Palestinians to resume peace talks.
At a town hall meeting in Tampa, Obama declinedunder questioning to condemn for actions against the Palestinians. He said is a strong ally and thathe will never waver from helping keep its people safe in a hostile Middle East.
But Obamaalso said the situation facing the Palestinian people is one that needsattention. He said he is seeking a solution in which Israelis and Palestinianscan live side by side in peace. But both parties must return to the bargainingtable, and that is something Obama said he isworking to achieve.
The administration's efforts tojump start peace talks have stalled since Obama took office a year ago.
The president on Thursday blamed internal political strife in as wellas among the Palestinians for hampering the peace process.
He spoke of problems that PrimeMinister Binyamin Netanyahu had had to deal with within his own governingcoalition, saying that the premier "is making efforts to move a little bitfurther than his coalition wants to go."