World Views: Michael Oren & Maen Areikat on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Jun 06, 2011)
In May, President Barack Obama reiterated calls for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying "the status quo is unsustainable." Several days later in an Oval Office meeting with Mr. Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called those lines "indefensible," and further outlined his country's position during a speech to Congress.

On this episode of World Views, Zach Messitte, Suzette Grillot, and Joshua Landis interview Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the United States.  The American-born envoy grew up in New Jersey before immigrating to Israel in the 1970s, where he served as a paratrooper in the Israeli Defense Forces.  He earned his doctorate in history from Princeton University, and is the author of two New York Times Bestselling Books on the history of the Middle East.

The panel also speaks with Maen Areikat. Mr. Areikat has served as the Palestinian Liberation Organization's chief representative to the United States since he was appointed to his post by PLO Chairman and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in 2009.  A graduate of Arizona State University, Mr. Areikat began his diplomatic career in 1993 in Jerusalem, and has long been involved in negotiations with Israel and the United States.

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