The Quartet -- the European Union, Russia, United Nations and United States -- said that "moving forward on the basis of territory and security" is a foundation for a permanent peace accord.
Obama said in a major speech on Thursday that a Palestinian state should include land that Israel has occupied since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected such a plan.
The Quartet said it was backing Obama`s "vision" because of the "urgent" need to resolve the conflict.
"The Quartet agrees that moving forward on the basis of territory and security provides a foundation for Israelis and Palestinians to reach a final resolution of the conflict through serious and substantive negotiations and mutual agreement on all core issues.
"The Quartet reiterates its strong appeal to the parties to overcome the current obstacles and resume direct bilateral negotiations without delay or preconditions."
European nations in particular have sought to relaunch the peace process using the Quartet, which set out a roadmap to peace under a land for security deal. Israel would have to give up territory, while all Palestinian factions, notably the Hamas rulers in Gaza, would have to recognize Israel`s right to exist and end violence.
Obama last year set a target of September this year for the creation of a Palestinian state. But US-brokered direct talks were halted within weeks when Israel halted a freeze on new settlements in the Palestinian territories. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
