Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was interviewed by the New York Times, just before the flight to the United States and the meeting with US President Joe Biden, stressing that his government "will not annex or establish a Palestinian state."
"I am the prime minister of all Israelis, and what I am doing now is finding the middle ground - how can we focus on what we agree on," he said.
He said there would be no political negotiations, in part because the Palestinian leadership is broken and helpless.
"Israel will continue with the standard policy of natural growth," he said, adding that his government would expand construction in Judea and Samaria.
Bennett declined to comment on US pressure to re-establish a Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem.
Regarding the security situation after the escalation in the south, Bennett stressed that he is ready to continue the fight against Hamas, even if the RAAM opposes the move. He stated: "I will do what is necessary to protect my people.
I will never involve political considerations in security-related decisions. "
The prime minister reiterated that a return to the nuclear deal would be a mistake and that he would present to Biden a "new strategic vision" for Tehran, under which a axis of resistance would be built around Arab countries refusing to cooperate with Iranian policy.