Hannity Falsely Claims “No President” Before Obama “Has Ever Suggested” 1967 Israeli Borders

Written by Ned Resnikoff

Published

Sean Hannity falsely claimed that “no president” before Obama “has ever suggested” that borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps. In fact, Obama's comments are in line with those of President George W. Bush, who also supported a two-state plan based on pre-1967 borders.

Hannity Falsely Claims That Obama's Proposal To Netanyahu Was Something “No President Has Ever Suggested”

From the May 23 edition of Fox News' Hannity:

HANNITY: When Benjamin Netanyahu, who I'm going to interview tomorrow, when he went to the White House after he got sandbagged by your president--

BECKEL: Not yours?

HANNITY: --with the '67 borders. And the question is: Weren't you embarrassed that Bibi had to take him-- To basically hold his hand and say, “Let me explain Hezbollah, Hamas, Syria, you know, Iranian--”

BECKEL: I have no interest in what Bibi Netanyahu says. I think he's a right-wing candidate and he's been playing footsie with the religious party in Israel.

HANNITY: No president has ever suggested what Obama suggested.

BECKLE: Every president has suggested--

HANNITY: Not one. You can't name one. [Fox News, Hannity, 5/23/11]

In Fact, Bush Publically Stated in 2005 That Changes To The 1967 Border “Must Be Mutually Agreed To”

In 2005, Bush Stated: “Any Final Status Agreement Must Be Reached Between The Two Parties, And Changes To The 1949 Armistice Lines Must Be Mutually Agreed To.” From Bush's statement during a May 26, 2005, press conference with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas:

Any final status agreement must be reached between the two parties, and changes to the 1949 Armistice Lines must be mutually agreed to. A viable two-state solution must ensure contiguity on the West Bank, and a state of scattered territories will not work. There must also be meaningful linkages between the West Bank and Gaza. This is the position of the United States today; it will be the position of the United States at the time of final status negotiations.

The imminent Israeli disengagement from Gaza, parts of the West Bank, presents an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a return to the roadmap. All parties have a responsibility to make this hopeful moment in the region a new and peaceful beginning. That is why I assigned General Kip Ward, who is with us today, to support your efforts, Mr. President, to reform the Palestinian security services and to coordinate the efforts of the international community to make that crucial task a success. The United States also strongly supports the mission of the Quartet's special envoy, Jim Wolfensohn, to make sure that the Gaza disengagement brings Palestinians a better life.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs refers to the pre-1967 borders between Israel and Palestine as the “1949-1967 Armistice Lines.” [Press Conference with Presidents Bush and Abbas, 5/26/05; Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accessed 5/19/11]