Lapid says new government seeks peace with Palestinians, other Arab states

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid addresses the launch of the Knesset’s caucus for the Abraham Accords. The parliamentary gathering in Jerusalem is attended by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.

In his remarks, Lapid says the new government is advancing normalization with Arab states.

“We renewed relations with Egypt, we opened embassies, we improved our relations with the US,” says Lapid. “I call upon the Palestinians, and every Arab nation that is listening: We seek peace. Peace is not a compromise or a weakness but rather an embodiment of the human spirit. Those living in the Middle East are welcome to look around and see which countries are in a better position — those who seek peace, or those who seek war.”

“One of the subjects [that will come up] in my trip to Washington [departing] tonight is expanding the number of nations that are in this agreement,” says Lapid, who will meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the UAE’s foreign minister this week.

“I want to thank President Trump for his role in the agreements and thank opposition leader Netanyahu, who did a great thing with these agreements,” adds Lapid.

Tal Schneider contributed to this report