Military aid deal with US likely inked next week — Netanyahu

Quizzed by opposition lawmakers in the Knesset’s State Control Committee, Netanyahu says he hopes to conclude negotiations over US military aid under the current administration.

He reveals that his acting national security adviser, Yakov Nagel, will travel to Washington next week to close the multi-billion dollar deal. He does not give any details of the 10-year aid package.

While saying that he’ll give up the Foreign Ministry post, he defends his work in the role.

“I didn’t say there is no need for a full-time foreign minister,” he says. “I am the full time foreign minister.”

He also rebuffs criticism of his policy vis-à-vis the Palestinians.

“Our policy is simple: the future belongs to the strong. The weak won’t survive,” he says.

He reiterates his stance of accepting a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state, though he says he is not sure whether the Palestinians are a partner for peace currently.

Netanyahu calls the BDS movement an “anti-Semitic movement par excellence,” though he argues that Israel in recent months successfully rebuffed several efforts to boycott Israel.

He cites the failed bid to oust Israel from soccer’s governing body FIFA and a number of American states passing anti-BDS legislation.

— Raphael Ahren