Netanyahu: We can surprise the doubters to reach historic peace
PM says new talks offer real chance to end Mideast conflict but continues insistence on guarantees for Israel's security before setting boundaries of Palestinian state.
By Barak Ravid
Israel and the Palestinians have a chance to surprise the world and strike a peace deal to end decades of conflict, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.
"We can surprise all the doubters," Netanyahu told ministers at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
Israel and the Palestinians have a chance to surprise the world and strike a peace deal to end decades of conflict, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.
"We can surprise all the doubters," Netanyahu told ministers at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
"But we need a serious partner," he said. "If we have a serious partner, we can achieve an historic agreement."
Netanyahu's comments follow news on Friday that Israel and the Palestinians will return to direct peace talks on September 2 after an 18-month pause, to be hosted in Washington by U.S. President Barack Obama.
Obama will hold separate meetings with Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as the Egyptian and Jordanian heads of state, on September 1, with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to launch the renewed negotiations the following day.
Ahead of his trip to Washington, Netanyahu has repeatedly demanded that talks focus on guaranteeing Israel's security before moving on to determine the borders of a future Palestinian state
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