Original Arab peace initiative will never be basis of peace talks: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vowed that the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative would never form the basis of peace talks, saying that he would never accept the terms of the proposal, Haaretz reports.

Citing sources who attended a meeting of Likud ministers, Haaretz says that Netanyahu outlined the changes that would need to be made in order for him to accept the proposal.

"If the Arab nations grasp the fact that they need to revise the Arab League proposal according to the changes Israel demands, then we can talk.

"But if they bring the proposal from 2002 and define it as 'take it or leave it' — we'll choose to leave it," Netanyahu said.

While he expressed his support for the Arab nations' willingness to normalize their relations with Israel should peace be achieved, he opposed the condition that Israel must withdraw to the 1967 borders — with land swaps — including leaving the Golan Heights. He was also opposed to any Palestinian right of return.

The Arab League proposal — based on a Saudi peace proposal — also stated that East Jerusalem should be the capital of a future Palestinian state.

The conclusion of the proposal was that should Israel accept the terms, all Arab states would sign peace deals and normalize their relations with Israel, including establishing diplomatic ties, Haaretz says.

A fortnight ago, Netanyahu said at a press conference for Avigdor Lieberman's signing on as defense minister that he saw "positive elements" in the Arab Peace Initiative that could "help revive constructive negotiations with the Palestinians."

Nonetheless, he qualified that Israel was "prepared to conduct negotiations with the Arab nations about updating the proposal so as to reflect the dramatic changes in our region since 2002."