WH Chief of Staff: We Can’t Pretend Netanyahu Didn’t Make ‘Troubling’ Remarks

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough gave a speech to J Street today and spent some time slamming Benjamin Netanyahu over his pre-election rhetoric about rejecting a two-state solution (which Netanyahu has subsequently walked back and also denied saying in the first place).

According to reports on McDonough’s speech, he described those comments as “so very troubling” and said, “We cannot simply pretend that these comments were never made.” He also said that an “absolutist position” makes good rhetoric, but that soundbites won’t stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

And while McDonough said he understands Netanyahu’s reservations, he insisted that the alternative to a two-state solution “would only contribute to Israel’s further isolation.”

President Obama similarly spoke out about Netanyahu’s comments, expressing some concern about what he said prior to the election as well. Republicans like John McCain have defended it as just a campaign promise that politicians shouldn’t be held to.

[image via screengrab]

— —

Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!