Netanyahu: Israel to ease restrictions on West Bank

Source: Xinhua | 05-11-2009 08:03

JERUSALEM, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel will ease the restrictions on the Palestinians in the West Bank cities.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem May 10, 2009.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Netanyahu made the remarks during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, ahead of his scheduled meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and with Jordanian King Abdullah II this week.

"I think we need to make a big effort, within the given security constraints, to make things easier for the Palestinians," Netanyahu told the cabinet members.

Netanyahu also said that economic growth and financial relief for the West Bank Palestinians are in no way a substitute for diplomatic efforts.