BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday expressed enthusiasm for using the upcoming visit of US President Obama as a catalyst to conducting substantive peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

Speaking to the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said “I view President Obama’s visit here, along with Secretary Kerry, as an opportunity to… get back to the business of genuine negotiations – direct, unimpeded negotiations without preconditions between Israel and the Palestinians. That’s the way to proceed towards peace.” Obama is scheduled to visit Israel towards the end of next month, while incoming-US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

Netanyahu stressed that he will place no preconditions on talks with the Palestinians, saying “I have a clear idea of what has to be done to achieve a workable peace. I’m prepared to do it, but I don’t place any conditions on entering negotiations.” He explained that “in addition to a piece of paper,” reaching a genuine peace would need to involve “actual security on the ground. This means that when we speak about our Palestinian neighbours, we must have a credibly, thoroughly demilitarised Palestinian state.” Netanyahu also said that a peace deal would require mutual recognition on both sides, explaining “We have the Jewish nation-state of Israel here. It’s high time that the Palestinians recognise that.”

In addition to his comments about the peace process, Netanyahu also outlined the threat of Iran’s nuclear programme, saying “stronger sanctions must be combined with credible military means.” He also highlighted the potential “strategic disaster” unfolding in Syria, with “the most lethal weapons…up for grabs if the Syrian regime collapses.”