Netanyahu: We are ready to renew negotiations tomorrow

At meeting with visiting Greek president, PM blames Palestinians for impasse in peace talks ahead of Quartet meeting.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
[Bibi blue] Binyamin Netanyahu 311 (photo credit: REUTERS)
[Bibi blue] Binyamin Netanyahu 311
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday addressed stalled peace talks with the Palestinians, saying he was ready to restart negotiations "tomorrow morning."
During a meeting with visiting Greek President Karlos Papoulias, Netanyahu blamed the Palestinians for the failure to revive talks which failed in September 2010. "Unfortunately, they refuse" to return to the negotiating table, the prime minister said.
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Netanyahu thanked Papoulias for Greece's great help during the Carmel wildfire and in stopping the flotilla attempting to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip.  The prime minister noted the deep friendship between Greece and Israel and added that bilateral economic and tourism cooperation should be strengthened and enhanced.
 
Regarding the flotilla,  Netanyahu pointed out that growth in the Gaza Strip stood at 25% and that all food items were entering the Strip.  "Whoever wants to free Gaza must work to free it from the Hamas regime, which acts cruelly and harshly toward minorities – and those who seek peace – in the Strip," he said. 
President Shimon Peres met the visiting Greek leader earlier on Monday, thanking him for the significant role played by Greece in blocking the Gaza-bound flotilla.