AJC Praises Prime Minister Netanyahu's Reprimand of MK Danon

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Jun 12, 2013, 09:21 ET

NEW YORK, June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC, calling Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon's comments on a Palestinian state "totally unhelpful to the peace process," commended Prime Minister Netanyahu for his strong response to the coalition dissenter.

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"The end game for peace, as difficult and complex as it may be to reach, must be two states – Israel and Palestine – for two peoples," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Prime Minister Netanyahu, like his three predecessors, is committed to achieving that goal through direct negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, and with the assistance of U.S. Secretary of State Kerry."

Danon, a Member of Knesset from Netanyahu's Likud party, who serves as deputy defense minister, charged in an interview with the Times of Israel that a majority of the coalition government would oppose a Palestinian state.

After Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon reportedly asked the prime minster to reprimand Danon, Netanyahu's office said that his remarks "do not represent the position of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the government of Israel."

Harris added: "MK Danon's comments are singularly unhelpful when Prime Minister Netanyahu is dong his utmost to resume negotiations with the Palestinians, which is in the strategic interest of Israel."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee