JERUSALEM — Israel’s prime minister on Monday reiterated his support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, seeking to persuade critics that he remains committed to peace as he prepares to bring a polarizing hard-liner into his Cabinet.
Benjamin Netanyahu said he would seek peace with the Palestinians, even while giving a cool reception to a new French peace initiative.
“The Palestinians will have the possibility to build a state of their own, but this state must be demilitarized and recognize Israel as the Jewish state,” he told parliament.
Since taking office in 2009, Netanyahu has repeatedly said he supports a “two-state solution” with the Palestinians. But U.S.-led peace efforts have made little headway due to wide gaps between the Israeli and Palestinian positions.
Questions about his intentions have deepened since Netanyahu last week invited the hard-line Yisrael Beitenu party to join his coalition. He reportedly has offered the party’s leader, Avigdor Lieberman, the sensitive post of defense minister as part of the emerging deal.