Netanyahu: Will push for Israel-Palestinian peace

[March 25, 2009]  JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's incoming prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says his government will seek a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

The comments appeared to be aimed at easing concerns that the hardline Netanyahu will try to freeze past peace efforts once he takes office.

Netanyahu told a conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday that peace is an "enduring goal" for all Israeli governments, including his own.

He says he will negotiate with the Palestinian Authority and work to develop their economy. He says the Palestinians must understand that his government will be a "partner for peace."

Late Tuesday, the centrist Labor Party joined Netanyahu's emerging coalition, saying it would help moderate what would otherwise have been a narrow, hardline government.

[Associated Press]

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