Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called on Arab nations to make immediate moves toward normalizing relations with Israel and vowed he would offer "concrete" steps toward peace with the Palestinians.
Netanyahu made the plea during a debate in parliament, the AP reported. "We are ready to make, and we will make, concrete steps for peace with the Palestinians," he said. "We expect the Palestinians to make such concrete steps as well. And it would be good if Arab countries joined the peace effort and made concrete and symbolic steps toward normalization with Israel, not later, but now," Netanyahu stated.
He mentioned cooperation in economic projects and agriculture but insisted any progress would depend on positive Palestinian actions. President Barack Obama backs the normalization idea, Netanyahu said, calling it a "new and refreshing" approach that "totally matches our views."
Netanyahu added that he and Obama agree the Iranian threat could create an opportunity to bring Arab countries together in a coalition of moderates, Netanyahu said.
