Obama says he takes Netanyahu ‘at his word’ on Palestinian state

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he takes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “at his word” for saying there’d never be an independent Palestinian state as long as he’s in office.

Netanyahu has softened his position since making the comment just before he won re-election last week.

But the change in tone doesn’t seem to be swaying Obama.

Obama says the U.S. will evaluate other options for establishing peace between the Israelis and Palestinians as a result of Netanyahu’s rejection of longstanding U.S. policy.

Obama says he indicated to Netanyahu when they spoke this week that the U.S. continues to believe a two-state solution is the only way to keep Israel secure.

The comments were Obama’s first on the Israeli election outcome. He spoke in an interview with The Huffington Post.