Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is prepared to begin direct bilateral talks with the Palestinians. Photo: Wikipedia.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday officially rejected a French initiative aimed at relaunching peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, saying the plan undermines the process by “distancing” the prospect of direct talks between the two sides.

However, the premier pledged that Israel is prepared to begin direct bilateral talks with the Palestinians “immediately, without preconditions.”

Read full story at The Jerusalem Post.