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| Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee meeting in Washington, May 23, 2011 |
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians cannot include Israel returning to its "indefensible" 1967 borders.
Netanyahu also told a meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington Monday night that peace will only come when Palestinians recognize Israel's right to exist.
U.S. President Barack Obama told the same pro-Israeli lobbying group on Sunday that Israel must "make the hard choices" necessary to reach a Middle East peace agreement. They include, according to the U.S. president, using Israel's pre-1967 borders as the basis for negotiations.
Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected this. In his speech Monday night, The Israeli leader also said it is time to stop blaming Israel for the problems in the Middle East, which are rooted in the desire of people in countries all over the region for freedom, progress and a better life. He said democracy in Israel is a model for those other countries to follow.
Netanyahu went on to emphasize the historically close relations his country has had with the United States.
Earlier Monday, Netanyahu conferred with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden at the White House.
On Tuesday, the Israeli leader goes before a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress to deliver what is being described as a "policy speech." Netanyahu said Monday his address will describe what Israeli-Palestinian peace can look like.
The prime minister said such peace will not solve all the endemic problems in the Middle East. He said what is needed is genuine democracy that includes elections, freedoms of speech, press and assembly, and rights for women, gays and minorities.
VOA
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