Netanyahu seeks historic compromise in Middle East

Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Wednesday to seek a "historic compromise" between Israelis and Palestinians that would lead to a peaceful resolution of the long-simmering Middle East conflict.

Netanyahu said he was convinced that peace was possible, calling Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas "my partner in peace" as the two leaders prepared to hold their first direct talks Thursday in nearly two years.

"We recognise that another people shares this land with us," Netanyahu said at the White House. "I came here to find an historic compromise that will enable both our peoples to live in peace, security and dignity."

US President Barack Obama was hosting Netanyahu, Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah for a dinner at the White House. Netanyahu and Abbas will formally relaunch the Mideast peace process Thursday at the US State Department.

"We don't seek a brief interlude between two wars," Netanyahu said. "We seek a peace that will end the conflict between us, once and for all."

Obama has challenged both sides to negotiate a final settlement that would create a Palestinian state within one year. Netanyahu said he recognised there were "many skeptics" of the peace process but that he had "no doubt that peace is possible".

Netanyahu said a permanent peace would bring great economic benefits to the Palestinian people, but would have to be "anchored in security" for Israel in order to succeed.

"We want the skyline of the West Bank to be dominated by apartment towers, not missiles," Netanyahu said. (DPA)

Home | Top of the Page

Comment on this article

Top Stories

Phrase 'saffron terror' takes the message home: Chidambaram

Unapologetic about using the term "saffron terror" that infuriated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday said he used the words to convey the message that a few rightwing religious groups  »

Issue is terrorism, not its colour: Congress

  Most Read

'Jiyo utho...' targets young generation: CWG lyricist Mehboob

"Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto"... the Commonwealth Games official song exhorts youngsters to live, rise, ascend, win and play the game without malice, says lyricist Mehboob who brainstormed with music maestro A.R. Rahman for six months before coming up with the final version. Mehboob's brief for the song was simple -- it should be   »

After 4,400 deaths, US ends combat in Iraq

US President Barack Obama declared the end of a wounding US combat mission in Iraq Tuesday, that resulted in 4,400 soldier deaths, while »

India ups Pakistan flood aid to $25 mn

India has increased its aid for Pakistan flood victims to $25 million from the $5 million announced earlier, but the assistance will be routed through the United Nations, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said here  »

Indian wins American science journalism award

India's Pallava Bagla has won the American Geophysical Union (AGU) David Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Journalism for his articles on the impact of climate change on Himalayan glaciers  »

Picture of the Day

Guests offering Maghrib prayers after attending the Iftaar party hosted by the British High Commissioner to India Sir Richard Stagg at his residence, 2 Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, Friday 27 August 2010.

(Photo provided by: Asad Mirza)