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 , but still believes a two-state solution is the key to peace in the area . Netanyahu has softened his position since making the comment just before he won re-election last week . He said in a statement on Monday that a Palestinian state would not be established on his watch . But the change in tone does n't seem to be swaying Obama , who said he spoke to Netanyahu on the phone on Thursday . Rift : President Barack Obama says the U.S. will evaluate other options for establishing peace between the Israelis and Palestinians as a result of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu 's rejection of longstanding U.S. policy . ' I did indicate to him that we continue to believe that a two-state solution is the only way for the long-term security of Israel , if it wants to stay both a Jewish state and democratic , ' Obama told The Huffington Post on Saturday . 'And I indicated to him that given his statements prior to the election , it is going to be hard to find a path where people are seriously believing that negotiations are possible . ' 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 . 'We take him at his word when he said that it would n't happen during his prime ministership , and so that 's why we 've got to evaluate what other options are available to make sure that we do n't see a chaotic situation in the region , ' the president said . The Huff Post reported Obama said he was most disappointment at Netanyahu 's Election Day warning about Arab Israeli voters going to the polls 'in droves . ' 'We indicated that that kind of rhetoric was contrary to what is the best of Israel 's traditions , ' Obama said in the interview . 'That although Israel was founded based on the historic Jewish homeland and the need to have a Jewish homeland , Israeli democracy has been premised on everybody in the country being treated equally and fairly . 'And I think that that is what 's best about Israeli democracy . 'If that is lost , then I think that not only does it give ammunition to folks who do n't believe in a Jewish state , but it also I think starts to erode the meaning of democracy in the country . '
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he does not oppose the creation of an independent Palestinian state and that it should n't happen on his watch . Obama believes a multi - state solution is key to stability in the area . ' We now have to consider what other options are available to make sure that we do n't see a chaotic situation in the area , ' Obama said .