The American media, that herd of independent minds, give Netanyahu the headlines he wanted: "For the first time, Netanyahu accepts limited Palestinian state" (LAT); "Netanyahu Backs Unarmed Palestinian State" (WSJ); "Israeli Prime Minister Backs Palestinian State" (WP); "Israel PM calls for demilitarized Palestinian state" (CNN); and better, "Israeli Premier Backs State for Palestinians, With Caveats" (NYT).

Further down, you may read about his no to a settlement freeze, no to twin-capital Jerusalem, and the other bricks in the wall he put up.

But the metaphor of the day comes from PA negotiator Saeb Erekat:

Saeb Erekat, the Palestinians' senior negotiator, called on Obama to intervene to force Israel to abide by previous interim agreements that include freezing settlement activity in the West Bank.

"The peace process has been moving at the speed of a tortoise. Tonight, Netanyahu has flipped it over on its back," he said.

P. S. Some European headlines are graver and less gullible. The Times of London: "Netanyahu defies Obama with hardline speech"; Le Monde: "Netanyahu poses his conditions for the existence of a Palestinian state"; but the Telegraph lines up with American coverage: "Netanyahu backs creation of Palestinian 'state.'"

P. P. S. Martin Fletcher on NBC last night did this right: "It was billed as a major policy speech, Israel's answer to President Obama's demand for progress towards peace. And tonight Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, finally did say yes to a Palestinian state, but with conditions. No military. It must recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Jerusalem will remain the undivided capital of Israel. For many in his own government, Netanyahu went too far. For Palestinians, he didn't go far enough. But tonight, Netanyahu just repeated his traditional line, no new settlements but natural growth must be permitted." He interviewed both Erekat and a Palestinian farmer. Imagine! [H/t: Herbert Gans]