Palestinians must recognize Israel

JERUSALEM, June 28 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Tuesday recognition of Israel as a Jewish state is a "basic requirement for peace" with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu told an assembly of the Jewish Agency Board of Trustees he wants to hear Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas say, "I will accept a Jewish state," The Jerusalem Post reported.

"This is the basic requirement for peace," Netanyahu said, adding he stood before his people and said he would accept a Palestinian state.

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni also spoke to the assembly.

She said Hamas must renounce terrorism and accept Israel's right to exist before a Palestinian state can be established.