Netanyahu: I will not repeat Gaza withdrawal mistake

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised the plan put forward by Yair Lapid which calls for Israel to withdraw from many areas in the West Bank and to freeze construction in the settlements, Channel Ten has reported.

Netanyahu told a session of the Likud Party on Monday that the finance minister’s “lack of experience in security and negotiations should not lead to a reckless plan.” He likened it to Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. “What I care about is the security of the Israeli population and in spite of all political plans, I will continue to lead the state of Israel rationally,” he insisted.

The channel quoted Netanyahu as saying that the historic mistake committed by the Israeli left when it announced its concessions in advance prompted the Palestinian side to make further requests.