Washington, D.C. ? Vice President Joe Biden challenged Israel to back a two-state peace agreement with the Palestinians and urged the Jewish state’s new leadership to demonstrate its commitment to such a solution.

In a speech Tuesday to the leading pro-Israel lobby in the United States, Biden said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government should stop constructing new Jewish settlements and ease restrictions on Palestinians.

“Israel has to work toward a two-state solution,” Biden told the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. “You’re not going to like my saying this, but not build more settlements, dismantle existing outposts and allow Palestinians freedom of movement.”

Biden also urged the Palestinians to meet their obligations to the so-called “road map” for peace and said neighboring Arab states need to make “meaningful gestures” toward peace with Israel. He said the U.S. would never abandon its commitment to Israel’s security.