Netanyahu utters '2 states' for 1st time
Prime minister takes advantage of cabinet meeting to summarize his government's first 100 days, says 'Palestinians will have to recognize the State of Israel as a Jewish state, the refugee problem will be solved outside Israel, and the Palestinian territory will be demilitarized'
The prime minister's statement at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting appeared to be the first time Netanyahu utters this formula in a public forum.
"Israel needs and will receive defensible borders, including a complete demilitarization of the Palestinian territory.
"Although Operation Cast Lead provided a broad foundation for a lull, the calm has also been achieved through our firm action. I have ordered an offensive response to any firing incident. Although we are in the midst of an ongoing struggle for the security of the State of Israel's citizens, this is another mission we have completed.
"I cannot say we have had a 100-day grace period, or even one day of grace, but thank god we are not complaining. The main achievement is the national unity government. We have formed national unity both in terms of the economy and in terms of having one policy," Netanyahu concluded.
The prime minister then moved on to the economic area, saying that "we have formed national unity in terms of the economy and I believe that next week we will pass for the first time in Israel – and I think in most countries of the world – a biennial budget which is a component of stability in a climate of instability.
"We are also advancing the issue of reforms in the economy and have passed the first stage in the Israel Land Administration reform, which will allow, among other things, reliefs in construction for those wishing to build a balcony or a pergola."
