Mitchell emphasizing two-state solution in Israel

Former Sen. George Mitchell will meet with newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials on Thursday in his third visit to Israel since being named President Obama’s special envoy to the region.

And, according to news reports, Mitchell will press Israel on a two-state solution with Palestinians – something that is not expected to go over well with Israel’s new conservative government.

Mitchell has already met on Thursday with Israel’s new foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman and, afterwards, reiterated the U.S.’s support for a two-state solution.

“U.S. policy favors, with respect to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a two-state solution which would have a Palestinian state living in peace alongside the Jewish state of Israel,” Mitchell said, according to CNN. “We look forward also to efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace throughout the region.”

The new Israeli government, with Netanyahu at the helm, has said it is dedicated to continued negotiations with Palestinians but has not said it supports statehood.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-release.thehill.com