Netanyahu Says Mideast Peace Will Require `Mutual and Painful' Concessions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said lasting peace with the Palestinians can only be achieved with “mutual and painful concessions.”

“A true peace, a lasting peace would be achieved only with mutual and painful concessions from both sides,” Netanyahu said today in opening remarks at the State Department in Washington that mark the formal start of direct negotiations after a 21- month impasse. “We anticipate difficult days.”

President Barack Obama met with Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday and said he is “cautiously hopeful” and stressed this was “a moment that must be seized.”

Recognition of Israel as a Jewish state is an “indispensable” condition to end the conflict and an accord must deal with “real threats” to his country, Netanyahu said today.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nicole Gaouette in Washington at ngaouette@bloomberg.net

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