Netanyahu: Willing to discuss Arab peace initiative with Palestinians

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has supported the possibility of reviving the 2002 Arab peace initiative, which offers Israel diplomatic recognition from Arab countries if Israel reaches a state agreement with the Palestinians, Reuters reports, as stated by the Patria News Agency.

Netanyahu's comment yesterday was a formal response to a speech Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gave last week, in which he promised Israel "warmer relations" if it agreed to resume peace talks.

"The Arab peace initiative includes positive elements that can help renew constructive negotiations with the Palestinians," Netanyahu said, reflecting comments he shared with Israeli journalists a year ago.

Addressing reporters, Netanyahu also said:

"We are willing to negotiate with Arab states a revision of this initiative so that it takes into account the dramatic changes in the region since 2002, but that the agreed-upon goals of two states for two peoples are maintained."

His speech in Hebrew was also broadcast in English – a tactic Netanyahu often uses when he wants to send a message to the international community.

His speech followed immediately after ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman was sworn in as the new defense minister, giving Israel's fragile right-wing coalition vital parliamentary support.

Netanyahu seemed to indicate that the admission of the new far-right minister into the government does not mean the end of peace efforts with the Palestinians.

The original Arab plan offered full recognition of Israel, but only if it relinquished territory occupied in the 1967 Middle East war and accepted a "just solution" for Palestinian refugees.

However, in 2013, after the initiative's terms were softened in favor of land swaps between Israel and the Palestinians, Netanyahu signaled his readiness to consider the initiative.

Previous attempts to bring the conflicting parties to the negotiating table have been unsuccessful. Palestinians claim that the expansion of Israeli settlements stands in the way of establishing their state in the West Bank, Gaza, and the capital East Jerusalem.

Israel has demanded firmer security measures against Palestinians and the dismantling of militants who have attacked or endangered the security of Israeli citizens.

In the past 6 months, Palestinian attacks have killed 28 Israelis and two American citizens visiting Israel. Israeli forces have killed at least 195 Palestinians, 134 of whom were asylum seekers, according to Israel. Others were killed during clashes or protests.

France will host a peace conference on June 3 to renew peace efforts. Ministers from the Middle East Quartet – the US, Russia, the European Union, and the UN – the Arab League, the UN Security Council, and about 20 countries will participate.

Neither Israel, which opposes this gathering, nor the Palestinians, who have welcomed it, have been invited, according to the Reuters report.