J Street: Speech missed chance to talk about peace process

1 October 2013, 8:19 pm

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Left-wing Israel lobbying group J Street calls Netanyahu’s speech a “missed opportunity” and notes the short shrift he gave to peace talks with the Palestinians.

“In a 33-minute address, he devoted less than two minutes to the vision of peace with the Palestinians. It was as if he wanted to send a message that peace was not a high priority for him and that it barely warranted his attention,” the group says in a statement.

“The prime minister has every right to state his determination to defend his country and his people against external threats — but I wish he had been more inspiring and open-hearted about the promise of a better future with the Palestinians, especially now with serious negotiations underway.”