(Haaretz).The Israeli government will abide by the terms of past agreements signed with the Palestinians though it will insist on reciprocity in future peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a raucous session at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
The premier told lawmakers and ministers that he had reached understandings with U.S. President Barack Obama on key defense issues. The Obama administration accepted Israel's position on Iran, the prime minister told the plenum.
In reference to Iran, Netanyahu reiterated the importance of "spotting dangers in advance."
"Our nation paid a huge price for failing to spot threats in advance," the premier said. "My job as premier is to protect the country's existential interests."
Netanyahu added that he was eager to "bring Arab states into the circle of peace," a goal he says is shared by the Obama administration.
"Bringing Arab states into circle of peace will strengthen Israel and bring security to the Palestinians as well," Netanyahu said.
The premier responded to catcalls from Kadima lawmakers by accusing his predecessors in the previous government of failing to bring results in its talks with the Palestinians.
"My peace policy will bring results faster than the government which was led by those sitting in the opposition today,We will insist on reciprocity in talks with Palestinians,in both the demands raised as well as their implementation."
Netanyahu added that he was eager to advance economic initiatives in the agricultural field for the Palestinian territories. His government would seek to attract investments from the Gulf Arab states, Europe, and Asia in an effort to boost the Palestinian economy, Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu said the Obama administration would also seek to advance "normalization" of ties between Israel and Arab government.
In response to criticism of his economic policies, Netanyahu said these were extraordinary times, and that Israel is "functioning better than most countries" under the harsh circumstances of the global financial crisis.
. "This government entered office seven weeks ago, in the midst of an economic crisis that was left untreated for a long time," he said.
"Our goal was to first bring about stability, to bring a budget to the government within six weeks, and we did it," he added.
The prime minister continued to say, "Our goal was to bring about unity as broad as possible with anyone who desired unity, and we did that also. All these things were the right things to do to lead to stability and growth for Israel's economy in the face of the global economic crisis that has not been treated."
"Anyone who waked the government's halls knows how difficult our task was. We had to balance between two major needs that clash with each other – social and economic needs on the one hand, and security needs…We are in the midst of a global economic crisis, and we are operating better than the rest of the world," he said.
Following the speech by Netanyahu, Livni came up to the podium and said: "You're a wonderful speaker, but your performance isn't all that."
"If there is something you have managed to do, prime minister, it is to make all Israeli citizens worried," she said
At the end of the session the Knesset approved Netanyahu's announcement with a majority of 63 votes in favor and 35 opposed.
