Israelis will get a chance to weigh in on any planned peace deal with the Palestinian Authority, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Sunday during the weekly Cabinet meeting.
“There won’t be a diplomatic agreement that endangers Israel’s citizens, and I believe – I think it’s vital – that any agreement, if we reach one, will be brought before the people,” he declared.
“Israel is prepared for immediate negotiations, with no preconditions,” Netanyahu said.
“We are not putting any obstacles in the way of renewed talks toward a permanent agreement and a peace deal between us and the Palestinians,” he continued. However, he added, “There are things we will strongly insist on during the talks themselves, primarily security.”
Netanyahu recently held a round of meetings with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is trying to get Israel and the PA back to the negotiating table.
Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that he is willing to hold negotiations at any time, with no preconditions. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas continues to insist on several preconditions, including a complete Jewish construction freeze in Israeli communities east of the 1949 Armistice line.