WASHINGTON (RNS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told American Jewish leaders that his government was prepared to move towards peace “with a sense of urgency and a sense of purpose.”
“My goal is not to have endless negotiations, my goal is not negotiations for the sake of negotiations,” Netanyahu told the Jewish Federations of North America Monday (Nov. 9). “My goal is to achieve a permanent peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians, and soon.”
Netanyahu used the address to reiterate his goal for a Jewish state “in which all individuals and all minorities have equal individual rights, yet our national symbols, our language, our culture spread from the heritage of the Jewish people.” He said any Jew from any part of the world, and of any denomination, would have the ability to come to Israel and become a citizen.
The prime minister also said Israel will play a larger role in Jewish engagement across the world.
“Strengthening of Jewish identity, I believe, can no longer be the exclusive task of the Diaspora. It is increasingly the responsibility of the Jewish state.”
Netanyahu will meet with President Obama while in Washington Monday. The president cancelled his Tuesday appearance at JFNA to attend a memorial service for victims of the Fort Hood Army Base shooting. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will speak on Obama’s behalf, and Obama will meet privately with Jewish leaders Monday evening.
JFNA changed its name from the United Jewish Communities last month. It represents Jewish communal groups across the country.
