Middle East News

Netanyahu mentions two-state solution for first time

Jul 5, 2009, 12:28 GMT

Jerusalem - For the first time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday referred to a 'two-state solution' in reference to efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. 'We have achieved a national agreement on the formula of two states for two peoples,' said the prime minister during the weekly cabinet meeting of the Israeli government. Only last month, in a public speech, Netanyahu allowed the possibility of a demilitarized Palestinian state without mentioning a 'two-state solution.' Such a solution would form an independent Palestinian state from areas including those under Israeli occupation. Netanyahu's comments came as part of a review of his first 100 days in office, with that mark set to be reached on Thursday. He said he did not have a single day of regret about his time in office so far. But, even as he allowed the possibility of a two-state solution, he continued his demands for concessions from the Palestinians, who control the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 'The Palestinians have to recognize the state of Israel as the state of the Jewish people,' he said. 'Israel needs and will get defendable borders and that implies also the complete demilitarization of the Palestinian territories.'

Middle East News

Netanyahu mentions two-state solution for first time

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