Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected claims that the standstill in the peace process since his government took power is the reason for the delegitimization campaign against Israel. The prime minister, who spoke before an audience of Jewish leaders and senior officials in various government ministries, said that attacks against Israel aren't based on wars or settlements, but rather are attacks against the existence of the Jewish state.
"There are those who believe that the motive for delegitimization is the policies of one government or another, but they are wrong."
"Even if we succeed in achieving peace, the attacks on Israel's legitimacy will continue. This is because their origin isn't based on the events of 1967 or 1948, The attacks oppose the existence of the Jewish state. We can see throughout history that the attacks have increased particularly when Israel has used its right to defend itself."
Netanyahu said that Israel must act against delegitimization by showing the international community what Israel has contributed to the world and also "delegitimize those who delegitimize us."
“We must expose the hypocrisy of human rights organizations that turn a blind eye to the most repressive regimes in the world, regimes that stone women and hang gays, and instead target the only liberal democracy in the Middle East".
"The search for peace is important and my government will continue to act toward it. We want peace, because we do not want war."