Netanyahu offers freeze for recognition

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would reinstate a West Bank construction freeze if the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

Netanyahu made the offer Monday in a wide-ranging speech at the opening of the Knesset's winter session.

"If the Palestinian leadership will say unequivocally to its people that it recognizes Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people, I will be ready to convene my government and request a further suspension," Netanyahu said. "Just as the Palestinians expect us to recognize their state, we expect reciprocal treatment."

The Palestinian Authority issued a statement rejecting Netanyahu's offer immediately following the speech.

Netanyahu called the deal a "trust-building step." He said that such recognition was not a precondition to talks for Israel.

Read more at JTA