Israel’s prime minister said he would accept creation of a Palestinian state if Israel received international guarantees the new nation would have no military.
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel needed a guarantee for demilitarisation and for Palestinians to recognised Israel as the nation of the Jewish people.
In a policy speech, Mr Netanyahu said if these conditions were met then Israel would be prepared to reach a solution of a demilitarised Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state.
A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed Mr Netanyahu's speech as 'sabotaging' peace efforts.
'Netanyahu's remarks have sabotaged all initiatives, paralysed all efforts being made and challenges the Palestinian, Arab and American positions,' said Nabil Abu Rdainah, noting Mr Netanyahu's demand that Jerusalem be the undivided capital of Israel and that Palestinian refugees not be allowed into Israel.
President Barack Obama has welcomed Mr Netanyahu's endorsement of a seperate Palestinian state.
