Bipartisan Legislators ask Obama to Retract Statement Calling for Return to ’67 Borders

A group of 30 House Republicans and Democrats, led by Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo., sent a letter to President Obama Friday urging him to retract his statement that Israel should return to its 1967 borders as a part of a proposed peace settlement with Palestine.

"Mr. President, we are extremely disappointed that you took it upon yourself to redefine the borders between Israel and Palestine," the letter states. "By calling on Israel to support a Palestinian State that reverts back to 1967 borders, your actions have placed Israel in a dangerous and difficult position."

The letter goes on further to say, "Given everything that has been going on in the Middle East, our unwavering commitment to Israel, its security, and long-term viability is now more important than ever."

President Obama made the comments last week, just one day before meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vehemently opposes any suggestion that Israel return land it won in 1967's Six-Day War.

House members who signed the letter include Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., Dan Burton, R-Ind., and Dan Boren, D-Okla.

While it's been a controversial topic here in the U.S., European leaders have expressed support for Obama this week during the president's trip to the G8 summit in France.

"[W]e cannot talk about a state without mentioning its borders," French President Nicholas Sarkozy said Friday, "and this shows the courage embedded in the address delivered by U.S. President Barack Obama who delineated these borders."