Israel must be recognised as Jewish state: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday. Netanhayu said that peace will be possible only if the Palestinian leadership agrees to recognise Israel as a Jewish state — a demand the Palestinians have long rejected.

Israel’s Prime Minister says peace will be possible only if the Palestinian leadership agrees to recognise Israel as a Jewish state — a demand the Palestinians have long rejected.

Benjamin Netanyahu says such recognition will be the “real basis” for peace and that he regrets the Palestinians have not agreed.

He spoke on Sunday at his Cabinet’s weekly meeting, ahead of talks this week with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr. Netanyahu has made recognition of Israel’s Jewish character a central demand, suggesting the Palestinians’ failure to do so means they have not come to terms with Israel’s existence.

The Palestinians say they will not extend such recognition because it would compromise the rights of Palestinian refugees and Israel’s Arab minority.