Netanyahu tells UN he wants 'just and lasting peace' with Palestinians

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the UN General Assembly that he is again extending the hand of peace to all of Israel’s neighbours, especially to the Palestinians.

He spoke shortly after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, defying US and Israeli opposition, asked the United Nations to accept them as a member state, sidestepping nearly two decades of failed negotiations.

Mr Netanyahu responded by saying Israel was renewing its hand of peace to countries such as Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, “but most especially, I extend my hand to the Palestinian people, with whom we seek a just and lasting peace”.

He received extended applause.

Mr Netanyahu said the General Assembly had been a “hall of darkness” for his country.

He said that leaving occupied territory only brings closer a “militant Islamic storm”.

Palestinians, he added, “should live in a free state of their own, but they should be ready for compromise” and “start taking Israel’s security concerns seriously”.