Netanyahu: Kerry's peace efforts 'only way' to peace
Ahead of Merkel's visit in Israel, PM reiterates on German TV his condition that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
By Haaretz | Feb. 24, 2014 | 11:30 AM
The initiative led by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is the "only way" to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told German television on Sunday, according to a report carried by AFP.
On the eve of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's 24-hour visit to Israel along with her cabinet on Monday, Netanyahu told the German public television ZDF that the Palestinians and Israel would be best served to support Kerry's efforts and sit around the negotiating table.
During the interview, Netanyahu reiterated his condition that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state, adding that he could not understand the Palestinian leadership's resistance to doing so.
Merkel said Saturday, ahead of her visit, that she would lobby on behalf of Kerry's peace efforts to reach Israeli-Palestinian peace.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.576007