Israeli president says no alternative to peace with Palestinians

Israeli President Shimon Peres addresses a conference of Presidents of American-Jewish organizations at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, on Feb 20, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

JERUSALEM - There is no alternative to peace between Israel and the Palestinians, said Israeli President Shimon Peres at a conference of Presidents of American-Jewish organizations in Jerusalem on Thursday.

"I don't believe there is an alternative for us or for the Palestinians other than peace," the president said, noting the necessity to have a Jewish and a Palestinian state living side by side, according to a statement from his bureau.

"We have to ask ourselves what is the main purpose of the negotiations and we should be clear that it is to keep Israel as a Jewish state ... Their (the Palestinians) purpose is also clear, an independent state of their own," Peres said.

"We should not postpone. The decisions necessary are painful but they are right," the president added.

Peres also praised US Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts in mediating a framework agreement between the two sides.

Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians resumed in last July after a three-year halt under Kerry's brokerage.

Kerry is currently working on the framework agreement to outline the future progress of the talks on core issues.

Israel's efforts to achieve peace with the Palestinians have been criticized by far right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, mainly from the Jewish Home party, who reject the two-state solution.

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