Netanyahu: Israel ready for peace talks with Arab neighbors

JERUSALEM, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that his country was ready for peace negotiations with its Arab neighbors without preconditions.

"Israel is willing to launch peace negotiations with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Syria and any other Arab country, and all those who set preconditions for negotiations are delaying the peace process," Netanyahu was quoted by local news service Ynet as saying at the weekly cabinet meeting.

"We support full-heartedly U.S. President Barack Obama's regional initiative. As part of this, the Arab countries - mostly central Arab states -- must make trust-building steps towards Israel," he said.

He added that in parallel to the peace process, Israel will continue advancing economic peace with the PNA and removing block on movement, business and tourism, adding that "Those who live with us in peace will prosper. These things can already be seen in the few months that have passed since we took office (in late March)."

Meanwhile, Netanyahu reiterated that "As part of the peace agreements, Israel expects the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. The refugee problem will be solved not within the boundaries of the State of Israel, and a demilitarized Palestinian state will be established with international guarantee."

"These are not preconditions for launching negotiations, but are the basic conditions for establishing durable and stable peace between us and the Palestinians in the future," he insisted.

Netanyahu's remarks came as the Israeli government on Sunday marked the fourth anniversary of the Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip.

Israel uprooted 10,000 of its citizens from Gaza, Netanyahu said, adding "Gaza has turned into a terror base under the control of Hamas, and sponsored by Iran," and Israel is "committed to the full rehabilitation of those uprooted."

Netanyahu vowed that his country "will not put up with rocket fire (from Gaza) into our communities," but "will decisively respond to every rocket attack," saying that "Peace will once again be based on reciprocation."