Netanyahu: Palestinians the stumbling block to peace

“The failure to achieve resolve the conflict with the Palestinians and achieve peace lies with the Palestinian refusal to accept the existence of the Jewish State in any borders.”

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Updated: MAY 18, 2017 17:04
PM Netanyahu (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
PM Netanyahu
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Palestinians were the stumbling bloc to peace as he met with Costa Rican Foreign Minister Manuel A. González Sanz.
“The failure to achieve resolve the conflict with the Palestinians and achieve peace lies with the Palestinian refusal to accept the existence of the Jewish State in any borders,” Netanyahu told Sanz.
He spoke in advance of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Israel next week, which is suppose to help usher in a new peace process with the Palestinians. Trump is expected to meet with Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Abbas in Bethlehem and will speak with both leaders about potential talks.
Trump is not expected to unveil a new peace plan during his two-day trip. His envoy Jason Greenblatt is already in the area meeting with Israelis and Palestinians.
Trump edges away from two-state solution (credit: REUTERS)
“On Thurs. & Fri. I'll be in #Jerusalem, #Jericho, #Amman and #Riyadh. Excited about upcoming @POTUS trip about tolerance and hope!,” Greenblatt tweeted.
Throughout the week, Netanyahu has issued a number of statements about Israeli-Palestinian conflict as he has meet with foreign leaders visiting Israel, such as Sanz.
Netanyahu asked him to help sway his country to support Israel at the United Nations. Sanz said that his country would consider this.
The two leaders discussed areas of cooperation including tourism, homeland security, water and agriculture.
"I am pleased that we have the opportunity to meet and strengthen the friendship between Costa Rica and Israel,” Netanyahu told him.
Costa Rica recognized Israel in 1948 and for many years was one of only two countries that had an embassy in Jerusalem. In 2006 it recreated the embassy back to Tel Aviv. Two years later, in 2008, it recognized Palestine as a state.