Though his stonewalling has always put the lie to his claim, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained since 2009 that he supports the establishment of a Palestinian state. In a new interview published online Monday, however, the premier admits that such a state isn't in the cards if he manages to prevail in tomorrow's national elections.
Mr. Netanyahu made the assertion on the eve of an election in which he is trailing in the polls. He has been campaigning aggressively, appealing to conservatives for support.
“I think that anyone who is going to establish a Palestinian state today and evacuate lands, is giving attack grounds to the radical Islam against the state of Israel,” he said in a video interview published on the NRG website. “Anyone who ignores this is sticking his head in the sand. The left does this time and time again. We are realistic and understand.”
Asked if he meant that a Palestinian state would not be established if he were to continue as Israel’s prime minister, Mr. Netanyahu replied: “Correct.”
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