#1 Netanyahu seeks 'demilitarised Palestine'
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:01 pm
BBC
Something tells me that the Palestinians having been slapped around a bit by Israel aren't going to be tripping over themselves to take this deal.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will back a Palestinian state - but only if it is completely demilitarised.
He said a Palestinian state must accept the existence of Israel and must have no army, no control of its air space and no way of smuggling in weapons.
Mr Netanyahu's speech comes a month after US President Barack Obama urged him to accept a two-state solution.
The Israeli leader offered to talk to the Palestinians immediately.
He said he was willing to talk with no preconditions, adding: "We want to live with you in peace as good neighbours."
Mr Netanyahu also said he was willing to go to Damascus, Riyadh and Beirut in pursuit of a Middle East peace deal.