Netanyahu Rejects Kerry's 'Binational State' Warning
JERUSALEM, Israel -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's statement over the weekend warning Israel it may become a "binational" state if it fails to reach an agreement with the Palestinian Authority.
"I would like to make it clear Israel will not be a binational state," Netanyahu told Cabinet ministers at Sunday's meeting. "But in order for there to be peace, the other side needs to decide that it also wants peace. To my regret, this is not what we see."
"First of all, the Palestinian Authority incitement is continuing it must stop. And I see the senior Palestinian official in charge of the negotiations [Saeb Erekat] going to console the family of a terrorist who tried to murder Jews," he continued. "Not only does he not condemn it, he goes to offer condolences and thereby gives backing and encouragement to acts of terrorism."
Kerry made his remarks at the Brookings Institution's Saban Forum during a speech on Saturday.
"The one-state solution is no solution at all for a secure, Jewish democratic Israel living in peace," Kerry said. "It is simply not a viable option."
Netanyahu also denounced Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Margot Wallstrom, who accused Israel of "disproportionate" responses to Arab terror attacks and "extrajudicial executions" based on the "logic" that more Palestinian attackers die than Jews who are attacked.
"I denounce the outrageous comments by the Swedish foreign minister," Netanyahu said. "It seems she expects Israeli citizens to offer their necks to those who want to stab them. It will not happen and we will continue to protect the lives of Israelis."
