Monday, January 16, 2017
Associated Press
WASHINGTON
The increase of Israeli settlements has “gotten so substantial” that it is inhibiting the possibility for an “effective, contiguous Palestinian state,” President Barack Obama said Sunday, in his final interview as president.
Speaking to CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Obama dismissed the idea that there is a “major rupture” in the relationship between the U.S. and Israel after last month’s decision by the U.S. to abstain from a United Nations vote condemning Israeli settlements.
The outgoing president reflected on his legacy and his biggest challenges during his eight years in office during the hourlong interview. A number of his policies – from health care to his contentious relationship with Israel – could be short-lived as President-elect Donald Trump becomes the 45th president later this week and vows to reverse some of those policies.
Obama acknowledged it’s been an “unusual” transition, adding, “I suspect the president-elect would agree with that.”
He warned people not to “underestimate the guy” and urged congressional Republicans and Trump supporters around the country to be sure “that as we go forward, certain norms, certain institutional traditions don’t get eroded, because there’s a reason they’re in place.”