Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said Thursday that peace between Israel and the Arabs will only be achieved "if we understand that we were intended to live together. Expressing amazement at Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's statement that he did not want Israelis in the Palestinian Authority-assigned areas, the Likud lawmaker said, "Palestinians live next to Jewish citizens in the state of Israel. How would Abu-Mazen react if these things were said about them?"

Rivlin's comments came as he toured Bedouin communities in northern Israel, receiving an honorary citizenship in one of them. During the tour he said, "Achieving peace is not dependent on this government or another, but the wish of the Palestinians for true peace and coexistence."