BICOM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a rare TV interview with Dubai based Al-Arabiya TV network that was aired last night. In the interview, Netanyahu stressed his willingness to sit with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, without any pre-conditions, in direct peace talks. “I think we both agreed that we need to have the idea of two states for two peoples. I think it’s unnecessary to try to conclude the negotiations before we start them,” Netanyahu said. On the subject of Israeli settlements, he indicated that built up areas in the West Bank “take up two percent and does not preempt the map of a Palestinian state”. He added that some settlements would be left outside the final borders of Israel.

Netanyahu dismissed claims that his coalition partners are preventing him from negotiating with the Palestinians. “I think that most Israelis, including members – voters – of this coalition government will support a peace agreement that I will bring. The tragedy of what is happening now is that the Palestinians are again missing an opportunity, again missing an opportunity to negotiate this peace,” Netanyahu added.

On the topic of Egypt and its new government, Netanyahu said that he was confident that new Egyptian leadership would maintain the peace treaty with Israel, as not doing so would be too costly.

Following the interview, the Prime Minister’s Office said Netanyahu’s interview with al-Arabiya TV indicated the significance he attributes to Arab public opinion and the sincerity of his peace overtures.

For a transcript of the full interview click here.