Editing Benjamin Netanyahu (section)

=== Israeli–Palestinian conflict ===
Netanyahu opposed the [[Oslo Accords]] from their inception. In 1993, he dedicated a chapter, entitled "Trojan Horse", of his book ''A Place Among the Nations'' to argue against the Oslo peace process. He asserted that [[Amin al-Husseini]] had been one of the masterminds of the Holocaust, and that Yasser Arafat was heir to the former's "alleged exterminationist Nazism".<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1111/jore.12119|title = Holocaust Abuse| journal=Journal of Religious Ethics| volume=43| issue=4| pages=723–759|year = 2015|last1 = Sells|first1 = Michael A. | issn = 0384-9694 }}</ref> During his term as prime minister in the late 1990s, Netanyahu consistently reneged on commitments made by previous Israeli governments as part of the Oslo peace process, leading American peace envoy [[Dennis Ross]] to note that "neither President Clinton nor Secretary [of State Madeleine] Albright believed that Bibi had any real interest in pursuing peace."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/09/27/us-jewish-groups-help-make-palestinian-state-impossible.html |title=How U.S. Jews Stymie Peace Talks |last=Beinart |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Beinart |date=27 September 2010 |newspaper=The Daily Beast |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=30 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530210231/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/09/27/us-jewish-groups-help-make-palestinian-state-impossible.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2001 video, Netanyahu, reportedly unaware he was being recorded, said:

{{blockquote|They asked me before the election if I'd honor [the Oslo Accords] […] I said I would, but&nbsp;... I'm going to interpret the accords in such a way that would allow me to put an end to this galloping forward to the '67 borders. How did we do it? Nobody said what defined military zones were. Defined military zones are security zones; as far as I'm concerned, the entire Jordan Valley is a defined military zone. Go argue.<ref name=washingtonpost>{{cite news|title=Netanyahu: 'America is a thing you can move very easily'|first=Glenn|last=Kessler|author-link=Glenn Kessler (journalist)|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=16 July 2010|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkpoint-washington/2010/07/netanyahu_america_is_a_thing_y.html|access-date=17 July 2010|archive-date=30 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630145349/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkpoint-washington/2010/07/netanyahu_america_is_a_thing_y.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

On 9 August 2009, speaking at the opening of his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu promised not to repeat the "mistake" of the [[Israel's unilateral disengagement plan|Gaza unilateral pullout]], saying, "We will not repeat this mistake. We will not create new evacuees", and adding that "the unilateral evacuation brought neither peace nor security. On the contrary", and that "We want an agreement with two factors, the first of which is the recognition of Israel as the national state of the Jewish people and [the second is] a security settlement. In the case of Gaza, both of these factors were lacking". He also said, "Should we achieve a turn toward peace with the more moderate partners, we will insist on the recognition of the State of Israel and the demilitarization of the future Palestinian state".<ref name=sofer>{{cite news |last=Sofer |first=Roni |title=Netanyahu vows not to repeat 'mistake' of Gaza pullout |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3759065,00.html |publisher=[[Ynetnews]] |date=9 August 2009 |access-date=9 August 2009 |archive-date=10 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810185525/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3759065,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: I won't repeat Gaza evacuation mistake |first=Barak |last=Ravid |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-i-won-t-repeat-gaza-evacuation-mistake-1.281670 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=9 August 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024092117/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-i-won-t-repeat-gaza-evacuation-mistake-1.281670 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2014, Netanyahu said:

{{blockquote|We don't just hand over territory, close our eyes and hope for the best. We did that in Lebanon and we got thousands of rockets. We did that in Gaza, we got Hamas and 15,000 rockets. So we're not gonna just replicate that. We want to see genuine recognition of the Jewish state and rock solid security arrangements on the ground. That's the position I've held, and it's only become firmer.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dovid|last=Efune|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/10/06/netanyahu-says-stance-on-security-requirements-has-become-%E2%80%98firmer%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98we-don%E2%80%99t-just-hand-over-territory-close-our-eyes-and-hope-for-the-best%E2%80%99-interview/|title=Netanyahu Says Stance On Security Requirements Has Become 'Firmer'|work=Algemeiner Journal|date=6 October 2014|access-date=7 October 2014|archive-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008072442/http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/10/06/netanyahu-says-stance-on-security-requirements-has-become-%E2%80%98firmer%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98we-don%E2%80%99t-just-hand-over-territory-close-our-eyes-and-hope-for-the-best%E2%80%99-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Netanyahu had previously called U.S.-backed peace talks a waste of time,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/20/AR2009032000694_pf.html|first=Howard|last=Schneider|title=Poll Gives Netanyahu Positive Marks Despite Rift with US|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=20 March 2009|access-date=20 March 2009|archive-date=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402093058/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/20/AR2009032000694_pf.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while at the same time refusing to commit to the same [[two-state solution]] as had other Israeli leaders,<ref>{{cite news |title=Why isn't Netanyahu backing two-state solution? |first=Aluf |last=Benn |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/analysis-why-isn-t-netanyahu-backing-two-state-solution-1.271126 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320022652/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/analysis-why-isn-t-netanyahu-backing-two-state-solution-1.271126 |url-status=live }}</ref> until a speech in June 2009. He repeatedly made public statements which advocated an "economic peace" approach, meaning an approach based on economic cooperation and joint effort rather than continuous contention over political and diplomatic issues. This is in line with many significant ideas from the [[Peace Valley plan]].<ref name="haaretz 11-21-08">{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: Economics, not politics, is the key to peace |first=Raphael |last=Ahren |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-economics-not-politics-is-the-key-to-peace-1.257617 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=20 November 2008 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=12 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312084527/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-economics-not-politics-is-the-key-to-peace-1.257617 |url-status=live }}</ref> He raised these ideas during discussions with former U.S. secretary of state [[Condoleezza Rice]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu offers new peace vision |first=Roni |last=Sofer |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3619204,00.html |work=Ynet |date=7 November 2008 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005051308/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3619204,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu continued to advocate these ideas as the Israeli elections approached.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/netanyahu_holds_big_lead_in_prime_minister_race_polls_20090202/|first=Leslie|last=Susser|title=Netanyahu Holds Big Lead in Prime Minister Race Polls|newspaper=The Jewish Journal|date=2 February 2009|access-date=11 July 2009|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406231013/https://jewishjournal.com/israel/article/netanyahu_holds_big_lead_in_prime_minister_race_polls_20090202/|url-status=live}}</ref> Netanyahu has said:

<blockquote> Right now, the peace talks are based on only one thing, only on peace talks. It makes no sense at this point to talk about the most contractible issue. It's Jerusalem or bust, or right of return or bust. That has led to failure and is likely to lead to failure again&nbsp;... We must weave an economic peace alongside a political process. That means that we have to strengthen the moderate parts of the Palestinian economy by handing rapid growth in those areas, rapid economic growth that gives a stake for peace for the ordinary Palestinians."<ref name="haaretz 11-21-08"/></blockquote>

In January 2009, prior to the February 2009 Israeli elections Netanyahu informed Middle East envoy Tony Blair that he would continue the policy of the Israeli governments of Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert by expanding settlements in the [[West Bank]], in contravention of the Road Map, but not building new ones.<ref>{{cite news |title=Likud allow settlement expansion |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7851140.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=26 January 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=17 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917221726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7851140.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Quote box
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| quote = Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas. This is part of our strategy – to isolate the Palestinians in Gaza from the Palestinians in the West Bank.
| source = Benjamin Netanyahu, 2019<ref name="Vox15Oct">{{cite news |last1=Beauchamp |first1=Zack |title=Benjamin Netanyahu failed Israel |url=https://www.vox.com/23910085/netanyahu-israel-right-hamas-gaza-war-history |work=Vox |date=9 October 2023 |access-date=15 October 2023 |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010010626/https://www.vox.com/23910085/netanyahu-israel-right-hamas-gaza-war-history |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shumsky |first1=Dmitry |title=Why Did Netanyahu Want to Strengthen Hamas? |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-11/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-needed-a-strong-hamas/0000018b-1e9f-d47b-a7fb-bfdfd8f30000 |work=Haaretz |date=11 October 2023 |access-date=15 October 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015020543/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-11/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-needed-a-strong-hamas/0000018b-1e9f-d47b-a7fb-bfdfd8f30000 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

In 2013, Netanyahu denied reports that his government would agree to peace talks on the basis of the green line.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Israel-agrees-to-peace-talks-based-on-67-lines-320250 |title=Netanyahu denies agreeing to peace talks based on '67 lines. |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=18 July 2013 |access-date=31 January 2014 |archive-date=11 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111214857/http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Israel-agrees-to-peace-talks-based-on-67-lines-320250 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014 he agreed to the American framework based on the green line and said that Jewish settlers must be allowed the option of staying in their settlements under Palestinian rule.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/israeli-official-palestine-should-allow-settlers |title=Israeli official: Palestine should allow settlers |last1=Heller |first1=Aron |date=26 January 2014 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=26 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232009/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/israeli-official-palestine-should-allow-settlers |archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-says-he-agreed-to-US-proposal-for-talks-with-Palestinians-based-on-67-lines-377983 |title=Netanyahu says he agreed to US proposal for talks with Palestinians based on '67 lines |date=3 October 2014 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=2 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003024210/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-says-he-agreed-to-US-proposal-for-talks-with-Palestinians-based-on-67-lines-377983 |archive-date=3 October 2014 }}</ref>

In 2014, Palestinian negotiator [[Saeb Erekat]] criticized Netanyahu, calling him "ideologically corrupt" and a war criminal.<ref name="Saeb">{{citation|title=Top Palestinian negotiator rips into 'discredited, useless' Abbas|newspaper=The Times of Israel|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/top-palestinian-official-recorded-upbraiding-mistaken-abbas/#ixzz39erFi2Ou|author=Elhanan Miller|date=12 June 2014|access-date=6 August 2014|archive-date=11 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811014244/http://www.timesofisrael.com/top-palestinian-official-recorded-upbraiding-mistaken-abbas/#ixzz39erFi2Ou|url-status=live}}</ref>

For years, Netanyahu backed [[Qatari support for Hamas|Qatari transfers]] of hundreds of millions of dollars to Gaza, in the hope that it would pacify Gaza, turn Hamas into an effective counterweight to the Palestinian Authority and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Elbagir |first1=Nima |last2=Arvanitidis |first2=Barbara |last3=Platt |first3=Alex |last4=Ebrahim |first4=Nadeen |date=11 December 2023 |title=Qatar sent millions to Gaza for years – with Israel's backing. Here's what we know about the controversial deal |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/middleeast/qatar-hamas-funds-israel-backing-intl/index.html |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Tal |date=8 October 2023 |title=For years, Netanyahu propped up Hamas. Now it's blown up in our faces |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/ |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref> In 2019, Netanyahu said at a private Likud party meeting, "Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas. This is part of our strategy – to isolate the Palestinians in Gaza from the Palestinians in the West Bank."<ref name="Vox15Oct" /><ref name=GuardianDoctrine>{{Cite news |last=Leifer |first=Joshua |date=21 November 2023 |title=The Netanyahu doctrine: how Israel's longest-serving leader reshaped the country in his image |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/21/the-netanyahu-doctrine-how-israels-longest-serving-leader-reshaped-the-country-in-his-image |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2019 |title=Netanyahu: Money to Hamas part of strategy to keep Palestinians divided |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/netanyahu-money-to-hamas-part-of-strategy-to-keep-palestinians-divided-583082 |access-date=25 November 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref> Often, cash was delivered in suitcases by a Qatari official who was escorted by Israeli intelligence officers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Mazzetti |first1=Mark |last2=Bergman |first2=Ronen |date=10 December 2023 |title='Buying Quiet': Inside the Israeli Plan That Propped Up Hamas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/10/world/middleeast/israel-qatar-money-prop-up-hamas.html |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> According to the ''New York Times'', Netanyahu continued backing the payments in response to Qatari questions as late as September 2023.<ref name=":0" /> In 2025, [[Shin Beth]] started an investigation into the alleged ties between Netanyahu's advisors and Qatar.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shin Bet launches inquiry into Netanyahu aides' ties with Qatar |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/shin-bet-launches-inquiry-into-netanyahu-aides-ties-with-qatar/ |access-date=22 February 2025 |publisher=The Times of Israel |date=15 February 2025}}</ref> 

[[File:Trump Peace Plan Map.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Netanyahu publicly supported the [[2020 Trump Israel–Palestine plan|Trump peace plan]] for the creation of a Palestinian state.]]
In January 2020, Netanyahu publicly supported [[2020 Trump Israel–Palestine plan|Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: Trump Middle East peace plan 'deal of the century' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-51289277/netanyahu-trump-middle-east-peace-plan-deal-of-the-century |publisher=BBC News |date=28 January 2020 |access-date=31 May 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728133534/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-51289277/netanyahu-trump-middle-east-peace-plan-deal-of-the-century |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Halbfinger |first=David M. |date=9 November 2020 |title=Biden's Win Means a Demotion for Netanyahu and Less Focus on Israel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/middleeast/biden-israel.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109100810/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/middleeast/biden-israel.html |archive-date=9 November 2020 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> After the peace proposal failed, Trump said Netanyahu "never wanted peace" with the Palestinians.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump says Netanyahu "never wanted peace" with the Palestinians|url=https://www.axios.com/2021/12/13/trump-middle-east-peace-netanyahu|access-date=11 November 2023|archive-date=11 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111184741/https://www.axios.com/2021/12/13/trump-middle-east-peace-netanyahu|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Choi |first=Joseph |date=13 December 2021 |title=Trump: Netanyahu 'never wanted peace' with Palestinians |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/585520-trump-netanyahu-never-wanted-peace-with-palestinians-report/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=The Hill |language=en-US |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109085836/https://thehill.com/policy/international/585520-trump-netanyahu-never-wanted-peace-with-palestinians-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Kushner: Trump Was Livid With Netanyahu Over Annexation and Considered Supporting Gantz |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-08-01/ty-article/.premium/kushner-trump-was-livid-with-netanyahu-over-annexation-and-considered-supporting-gantz/00000182-5a9f-d339-a5ef-df9f195f0000 |access-date=11 November 2023 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125163814/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-08-01/ty-article/.premium/kushner-trump-was-livid-with-netanyahu-over-annexation-and-considered-supporting-gantz/00000182-5a9f-d339-a5ef-df9f195f0000 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wade |first=Peter |date=13 December 2021 |title=Trump Blames Netanyahu, Not Himself, for Failed Israel-Palestine Peace Deal |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-blames-netanyahu-israel-palestine-peace-failure-1270936/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=11 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111185355/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-blames-netanyahu-israel-palestine-peace-failure-1270936/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Former United States Secretary of State [[Rex Tillerson]] stated that on 22 May 2017, Netanyahu showed Donald Trump a fake and altered video of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas calling for the killing of children. This was at a time when Trump was considering if Israel was the obstacle to peace. Netanyahu had showed Trump the fake video to change his position in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/netanyahu-used-doctored-video-of-abbas-to-influence-trump-s-policy-woodward-reveals-1.9149688|title=Netanyahu used doctored video of Abbas to influence Trump's policy, Woodward reveals|work=Haaretz|date=12 September 2020}}</ref>

The U.S.-brokered [[Abraham Accords]] agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (the [[Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement]]) and Bahrain, respectively (the [[Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement]]).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Abraham Accords |publisher=U.S. Department of State|website=state.gov |url=https://www.state.gov/the-abraham-accords/}}</ref> This was the first time any [[Arab country]] had normalized relations with Israel since [[Jordan]] in [[Israel–Jordan peace treaty|1994]]. The accords were signed by Bahrain's foreign minister, UAE's foreign minister and Netanyahu on 15 September 2020 at the [[South Lawn]] of the [[White House]] in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel, UAE and Bahrain sign Abraham Accord; Trump says "dawn of new Middle East" |work=Press Trust of India |publisher=The Hindu |date=16 September 2020 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/israel-uae-and-bahrain-sign-abraham-accord-trump-says-dawn-of-new-middle-east/article32616867.ece}}</ref>

[[File:President Trump and The First Lady Participate in an Abraham Accords Signing Ceremony (50345629858).jpg|thumb|right|White House [[Abraham Accords]] signing ceremony on 15 September 2020]]
On 23 October 2020, U.S. president [[Donald Trump]] announced that [[Sudan]] will start to [[Israel–Sudan normalization agreement|normalize ties with Israel]], making it the third Arab state to do so as part of the Trump administration-brokered [[Abraham Accords]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump Announces US-Brokered Israel-Sudan Normalization |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_trump-announces-us-brokered-israel-sudan-normalization/6197531.html |publisher=[[Voice of America]] |date=23 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Yes, Israeli-Sudanese normalization is a big deal |url=https://asiatimes.com/2020/10/yes-israeli-sudanese-normalization-is-a-big-deal/ |work=[[Asia Times]]|first=Shaiel|last=Ben-Ephraim |date=24 October 2020}}</ref> Sudan fought in wars against Israel in 1948 and 1967.<ref>{{cite news |title='Yes, yes, yes': Why peace with Khartoum would be true paradigm shift for Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/yes-yes-yes-why-peace-with-khartoum-would-be-true-paradigm-shift-for-israel/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=23 October 2020}}</ref> Netanyahu thanked "President Trump and his team above all", saying that "together with him we are changing history&nbsp;... despite all the experts and commentators who said it was impossible. Israel was completely isolated and they told us we were heading into a political tsunami. What's happening is the absolute opposite."<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu hints at Israel role in past Sudan raids, hails Mideast's changing map |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-hints-at-israeli-role-in-sudan-bombings-predicts-more-peace-deals/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=24 October 2020}}</ref> This was followed by [[Israel–Morocco normalization agreement|Morocco establishing relations with Israel in December]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 December 2020|title=Morocco latest country to normalise ties with Israel in US-brokered deal|publisher=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55266089}}</ref> In July 2024, [[Pakistan]] officially designated him a "terrorist", calling him responsible for the atrocities in Gaza.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-calls-israel-s-netanyahu-a-terrorist-/7705182.html|title=Pakistan calls Israel's Netanyahu a "terrorist"|date=19 July 2024|work=Voice of America|access-date=21 July 2024}}</ref>

==== Bar-Ilan speech ====
In June 2009, Netanyahu delivered an address<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/full-text-of-netanyahu-s-foreign-policy-speech-at-bar-ilan-1.277922|title=Full text of Binyamin Netanyahu's Bar Ilan speech|date=15 June 2009|work=[[Haaretz]] |access-date=15 June 2009}}</ref> at [[Bar-Ilan University]], known as the "Bar-Ilan speech", at [[Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies]], that was broadcast live in Israel and across parts of the [[Arab world]], on the [[Israeli–Palestinian peace process]]. He endorsed for the first time the notion of a [[Palestinian state]] alongside Israel.<ref name=lays /> Netanyahu's speech could be viewed in part as a response to Obama's [[A New Beginning (speech)|4 June speech at Cairo]]. ''Yedioth Ahronoth'' claimed Obama's words had "resonated through Jerusalem's corridors".<ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[Ynetnews]]|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3726367,00.html|title=Ministers split over Obama's Cairo speech|date=4 June 2009|access-date=19 June 2009}}</ref>

As part of his proposal, Netanyahu demanded full demilitarization of the proposed state, with no army, rockets, missiles, or control of its airspace, and said Jerusalem would be [[Positions on Jerusalem|undivided Israeli territory]]. He stated that the Palestinians should recognize Israel as the Jewish national state with an undivided Jerusalem. He rejected a [[Palestinian right of return|right of return]] for Palestinian refugees, saying, "any demand for resettling Palestinian refugees within Israel undermines Israel's continued existence as the state of the Jewish people." He stated that a complete stop to [[Israeli settlement|settlement building]] in the [[West Bank]], as required by the 2003 [[road map for peace]], was impossible and the expansions would be limited based on the "natural growth" of the population, including immigration, with no new territories taken. Nevertheless, Netanyahu affirmed that he accepted the road map.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu's speech: Yes to road map, no to settlement freeze |first1=Barak |last1=Ravid |first2=Aluf |last2=Benn |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-s-speech-yes-to-road-map-no-to-settlement-freeze-1.277711 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=11 June 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> He did not discuss whether or not the settlements should be part of Israel after peace negotiations, simply stating that the "question will be discussed".<ref name=lays>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu wants demilitarized PA state |first=Herb |last=Keinon |author-link=Herb Keinon |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=145486 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=14 June 2009 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref>

In a response to Obama's statements in his Cairo speech, Netanyahu remarked, "there are those who say that if the Holocaust had not occurred, the State of Israel would never have been established. But I say that if the State of Israel would have been established earlier, the Holocaust would not have occurred." He said, "this is the homeland of the Jewish people, this is where our identity was forged." He stated that he would be willing to meet with any "Arab leader" for negotiations without preconditions, specifically mentioning [[Syria]], Saudi Arabia, and [[Lebanon]].<ref name=lays /> The address represented a new position for Netanyahu's government on the peace process.<ref name=huff />

Right-wing members of Netanyahu's governing coalition criticized his remarks for the creation of a Palestinian State, believing all of the land should come under Israeli sovereignty. [[Likud]] [[Knesset|MK]] [[Danny Danon]] said Netanyahu went "against the Likud platform",<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3731827,00.html |title=Netanyahu defends speech to party hardliners|last=Sofer|first=Roni|date=15 June 2009|publisher=[[Ynetnews]]|access-date=17 September 2009}}</ref> while [[Knesset|MK]] [[Uri Orbach]] of [[Habayit Hayehudi]] said it had "dangerous implications".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3731290,00.html|title=Likud members say PM gave in to US pressure|date=14 June 2009 |work=[[Ynet]]|access-date=17 September 2009}}</ref> Opposition party [[Kadima]] leader [[Tzipi Livni]] remarked that she thinks Netanyahu does not really believe in the [[two-state solution]] at all; she thought he only said what he did as a feigned response to international pressure.<ref name=Livni>{{cite news |title=Livni: Netanyahu doesn't believe in two-state solution |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/livni-netanyahu-doesn-t-believe-in-two-state-solution-1.279472 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=7 July 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> [[Peace Now]] criticized the speech, stating it did not address the Palestinians as equal partners in the peace process. The Secretary General of Peace Now, said, "It's a rerun of Netanyahu from his first term".<ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[Peace Now]] |title=Peace Now Response to Bibi Netanyahu's Speech |url=http://www.fmep.org/analysis/analysis/peace-now-response-to-bibi-netanyahus-speech |date=15 June 2009 |access-date=8 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923183725/http://www.fmep.org/analysis/analysis/peace-now-response-to-bibi-netanyahus-speech |archive-date=23 September 2013 }}</ref>

On 9 August 2009, speaking at the opening of a government meeting, Netanyahu repeated his claims from the Palestinians: "We want an agreement with two factors, the first of which is the recognition of Israel as the national state of the Jewish people and (the second of which is) a security settlement".<ref name=sofer />

Netanyahu's speech provoked mixed reaction from the international community.<ref name="rfi">{{cite news|url=http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/114/article_4023.asp|title=Netanyahu speech provokes mix of international reactions|date=15 June 2009|publisher=[[Radio France]]|access-date=16 September 2009|archive-date=19 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619043335/http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/114/article_4023.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Palestinian National Authority]] rejected the conditions on a Palestinian State. [[Saeb Erekat]] said, "Netanyahu's speech closed the door to permanent status negotiations". [[Hamas]] spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said it reflected a "racist and extremist ideology"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3731300,00.html|title=Hamas slams Netanyahu's 'racist, extremist' ideology |date=14 June 2009|work=[[Ynet]]|access-date=11 August 2009}}</ref> and called on Arab nations to "form stronger opposition".<ref name=huff>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/14/netanyahu-peace-speech-is_n_215337.html|title=Netanyahu Peace Speech: Israeli Prime Minister Appeals To Arab Leaders For Peace|date=14 June 2009 |first=Josef |last=Federman |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=14 June 2009}}</ref> [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] labeled it "misleading" and demanded stronger opposition to Israel from Arab nations.<ref name=xin>{{cite news |publisher=Xinhua News Agency|title=Netanyahu's speech vexes Arabs|author1=Muhammad Yamany|author2=Chen Gongzheng |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/16/content_11548122.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616232616/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/16/content_11548122.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2009|date=15 June 2009|access-date=16 June 2009}}</ref> According to ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'', some leaders advocated a third intifada in response to the speech.<ref name=lays />

The [[Arab League]] dismissed it, declaring that "Arabs would not make concessions regarding issues of Jerusalem and refugees" and that "we know his history and style of evasion", adding that the Arab League would not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.<ref name=xin /> Referring to Netanyahu's demand that Palestinians recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people, Egypt's president [[Hosni Mubarak]] remarked, "You won't find anyone to answer that call in Egypt, or in any other place." Issuing a less blunt response, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the speech was "not complete" and it hoped for another, "different Israeli proposal...built on the commitment to the two-state solution".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/15/palestinians-condemn-neta_n_215527.html|title=Palestinians Condemn Netanyahu Speech |format=video|date=15 June 2009 |first=Stewart |last=Whatley |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=15 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/syria-netanyahu-s-policy-has-everything-but-peace-1.278102 |title=Syria: Netanyahu's policy has everything but peace |work=Haaretz |date=15 June 2009 |access-date=26 May 2011 }}</ref> [[Media of Syria|Syrian state media]] condemned the speech and wrote "Netanyahu has confirmed that he rejects the Arab peace initiative for peace along with all the initiatives and resolutions of the Security Council to relative peace."<ref name=rfi /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=145545|title=PM calls Mubarak to clarify stance|date=16 June 2009|work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|access-date=17 June 2012}}</ref>

Lebanese President [[Michel Suleiman]] said "Arab leaders should be more united and preserve the spirit of resistance to face the Israeli stands regarding the peace process and the Palestinian refugee issue." He called on the international community to exert more pressure on Israel to accept the Arab Peace Initiative, as he said "Israel still has a will of military confrontation which can be proved in its offensives on Lebanon and the Gaza Strip."<ref name=xin /> Jordanian officials said "The ideas presented by Netanyahu do not live up to what was agreed on by the international community as a starting point for achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region."<ref name=xin /> Former Iranian president [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] referred to the speech as "bad news".<ref name=rfi />

The [[Czech Republic]] praised Netanyahu's address. "...this is a step in the right direction. The acceptance of a Palestinian state was present there", said Foreign Minister [[Jan Kohout]], whose country held the EU's presidency at the time.<ref name="eu1"/> President Obama's [[press secretary]], [[Robert Gibbs]], said the speech was an "important step forward".<ref name=xin /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/14/white-house-reacts-to-netanyahus-speech/|title=White House reacts to Netanyahu's speech|date=14 June 2009|publisher=CNN|access-date=16 September 2009|archive-date=28 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828090154/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/14/white-house-reacts-to-netanyahus-speech/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Obama stated that "this solution can and must ensure both Israel's security and the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations for a viable state".<ref name=rfi /> Swedish Foreign Minister [[Carl Bildt]] stated that "the fact that he uttered the word state is a small step forward". He added that "whether what he mentioned can be defined as a state is a subject of some debate".<ref name=rfi /><ref name="eu1">{{cite news |title=EU gives cautious welcome to Netanyahu speech |first=Mark |last=John |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-40333120090615 |work=Reuters |date=15 June 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=2 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102062917/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-40333120090615 |url-status=dead }}</ref> France praised the speech but called on Israel to cease building settlements in the West Bank. French Foreign Minister [[Bernard Kouchner]] stated, "I can only welcome the prospect of a Palestinian state outlined by the Israeli prime minister."<ref name=rfi /><ref name=eu1 /> The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia)|Foreign Ministry of Russia]] called the speech "a sign of readiness for dialogue" but said "it does not open up the road to resolving the Israeli–Palestinian problem. The conditions on the Palestinians would be unacceptable."<ref name=rfi />