Netanyahu made the remarks during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, ahead of his scheduled meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and with Jordanian King Abdullah II this week.
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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem May 10, 2009 |
Netanyahu also said that economic growth and financial relief for the West Bank Palestinians are in no way a substitute for diplomatic efforts.
"If both sides can show willingness, we can progress forward faster than one might think," he said. "We mean business. But, if there is no cooperation we will continue to busy ourselves with solving problems."
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Israel's Education Minister Gideon Saar, Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor, Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser and Minster of Strategic Affairs Moshe Yaalon (from L to R) attend the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem May 10, 2009 |
Israel would like to see Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia play a greater role in the peace process, as well as in pushing back against Iranian efforts to make further inroads in the region.
A planned meeting between Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington next week will also focus on the Iran's nuclear issue.