"Our hand is held out in peace to our Palestinian neighbors and the people of Israel know that real peace — and our future — will only be assured if Israel is strong," he said.
Tasked by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to form the next government, and having 13 MK members in the Knesset, Netanyahu said peace and Israel’s survival depends on its strength.
Amid mounting international criticism about his comments against the creation of a Palestinian state, a key US foreign policy objective, as well as revelations that Israel may have leaked sensitive information to Republicans about the US negotiations with Iran, Netanyahu also promised to repair American-Israeli relations, but insisted Israel would do whatever it takes to thwart the Iranian nuclear deal.
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday said the US could not base its diplomacy on the "dim" peace prospects under Netanyahu’s leadership.
