News Digest

Netanyahu says Israel will not cede land to Palestinians

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel will not cede any territory due to the current climate in the Middle East, appearing to rule out the establishment of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu’s comments, which came as he sought to appeal to hard-liners ahead of national elections next week, rejected a key goal of the international community and bode poorly for reviving peace efforts if he is re-elected. Ahead of national elections, centrist and leftist political parties in Israel have said they support the resumption of peace efforts with the Palestinians.

Any evacuated territory would fall into the hands of Islamic extremism and terror organizations supported by Iran. Therefore, there will be no concessions and no withdrawals. It is simply irrelevant.

Statement from Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main challenger in March 17 elections, the centre-left Zionist Union, unveiled its platform Sunday with an emphasis on ending Israel’s “diplomatic isolation”. The Zionist Union said it would rely on Arab League support for a meaningful resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians that ground to a halt in 2013. Opinion polls show Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud running neck-and-neck with rival Isaac Herzog. Netanyahu, seeking a fourth term in office, is seen as having a slight advantage of more parliamentary allies in to form a coalition government.