By HERB KEINON AND REBECCA ANNA STOIL, JPOST
Israel has an “arsenal of possible responses” it can deploy in response to a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday.
Netanyahu, who did not spell out what steps Israel would take, said he preferred “not going” down that unilateral path “because it is a negative direction.”
The prime minister said he had spoken recently with Chilean President Sebastián Piñera in an effort to prevent Santiago from recognizing a Palestinian state – something a number of Latin American countries, such as Brazil, Argentina and Ecuador, have done in recent weeks. Uruguay announced that it would recognize Palestinian statehood in 2011.
According to the prime minister, such recognition distances negotiations and makes peace more unlikely, because it strengthens the Palestinians’ sense that they can get what they want without negotiations.
Netanyahu bewailed what he said had become the Palestinian “three no’s”: No to recognition of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, no to dropping their demand for a Palestinian refugee “right of return,” and no to agreed-upon security arrangements on the ground. The prime minister was making a reference to the Arab League’s Khartoum Resolution of September 1, 1967, and its “Three No’s”: “no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it.” Netanyahu, who informed the MKs that White House senior adviser Dennis Ross was due back later this week, said the Palestinians had shown no willingness to compromise on either substantive or procedural issues. They have shown “no movement,” he said.
He reiterated what he said last week during a Channel 10 interview, that coalition considerations would not prevent him from pursing a peace agreement if he thought one was possible.
“No coalition agreement will prevent reaching an agreement with the Palestinians,” promised Netanyahu. “On the first day of this government, I asked [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud] Abbas to hold direct negotiations and received no response.”
He added that “Israel is continuing to advance the peace process, but the Palestinians have not moved one millimeter.
“We crossed our Rubicon; the question is, will the Palestinians?” he went on. “Are they ready to stand before their public and advance peace? They went into talks around the end of the building moratorium, but the only topic that they discussed was the continuation of the freeze.”
Following the end of the building freeze in September, the Americans suggested an additional three-month freeze, , Netanyahu said.
“We had talks with the Americans about what we wanted in return. The truth is that we were ready to do it again, contrary to reports that Israel refused to extend it. Ultimately it was the Americans who backed down from the talks – and rightly so, I think, because in the past all the conversations with the Palestinians were about continuing the freeze and not about the key subjects,” he said.
Answering a question from MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) regarding progress on the planned Palestinian city of Rawabi, outside of Ramallah, the prime minister said, “I think that it is a positive step. The Palestinians are building constantly, but this time it is a visible project that all the world can observe. It is a city that will be part of the future Palestinian state, and we are looking into easing restrictions on transit surrounding the city.”
Asked about the Syrian track, Netanyahu said Israel was open to talks with Damascus as long as there were no “preconditions.” The problem with the Syrians, he said, was that they demanded Israel give up everything before they would even enter talks.
“We are ready and willing to hold negotiations with Syria,” the prime minister declared during the meeting. “The problem is that Syria wants us to give the whole territory [the Golan Heights] as a precondition for talks.”
Netanyahu said there was no lack of countries that had volunteered their services as intermediaries with the Syrians, including the Americans, Germans, French and Bulgarians.
The prime minister made clear in the meeting that Israel had no intention of apologizing to Turkey for the Mavi Marmara incident, although it was willing to express regret over the loss of life. He emphasized that he “saw an opportunity with Turkey during the [Carmel] fire,” and that contacts were continuing with Ankara.
“We are not interested in a continuation of the deterioration of the relationship,” he said – adding, however, that Israel would not accept a formula for putting the ties back on track that would imply that IDF soldiers were guilty of wrongdoing.
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni attacked Netanyahu after he said that since 1995, he had supported a two-state solution. The prime minister said that he had spoken during a Likud central committee meeting in support of establishing a “state-minus” in a demilitarized area of the West Bank.
“It is amazing how you describe an alternate reality, and claim that it is the truth,” charged the Kadima chairwoman. “It is strange that you fall back upon 1995 when in 2002, you announced in the Likud central committee, ‘Yes to a Jewish state means no to a Palestinian state, and we must say no.’”
Livni went on to accuse Netanyahu of causing damage to the nation’s security interests.
Yam, Ted and Uncle Narvey,
Someone said that the good thing about being a pessimist is that you’re usually right. Narvey might be less correct than Yam, but I’ll give him credit for being positive. Bibi is the PM that the Israeli people asked for; and considering the track record of other hopefuls in the past from the right, such as Menachem Begin and Ariel Sharon, I wouldn’t be too harsh on him (That said, I thank God that Shas had the moxy to stand up to him). If you want to judge Netanyahu in an objective way, it would be good to compare him with the kings of Israel and Judah. Saul was so-so; David did well, if you don’t impute his deserting to the Philistines as counting for anything; the people chafed under Solomon and rebelled under his son; and of the rest, I think Hezekiah was the only one who got a passing grade. Don’t even tell me about the Herods and Maccabees. Bibi called for a “Two-State Solution”. So? Barak offered Arafat that same “solution” on a silver platter. Olmert did the same; and Sharon and Begin actually ceded Jewish-settled land. Uncle Narvey’s right; it could be worse.
Nothing is inconceivable when it relates to BB. When Obama says Jump: BB asks “How High?”
True, but I never said my reasons were hers. The article made that statement without further comment. So we don’t actually know what they meant.
It is inconceivable that anyone would agree to something so significant as a 90 day freeze based on oral promises. But apparantly Bibi tried to sell it to his Cabinet based on such promises. It is also inconceivable that anyone would agree to a 10 month freeze based on no promises.
As for Livnit’s claim that Bibi damaged Israel’s interests, she means this in a totally differen way from the way Yamit means it.
Check the dates of reports that BB was inclined to accept well before he went to Washington. The reports that came out while he was there and what developed later, BB was prepared for whatever reason to give Obama another 3 months if not more even well before he went.
Actually it was Shas that caused him to fold by putting his feet to the fire. It was shas that demanded to see such a letter that excluded Jerusalem and that killed it for BB. The rest is spin both here and in Obamasville. Without Jerusalem Abbas could never agree. Climbed to high up the tree for that.
Maybe the cabinet or should I say Lieberman but BB reads his polls daily and if the overwhelming majority is against he usually goes with his polls. Even Ha’aetz was staunchly against apologizing. He just couldn’t find a verbal compromise to satisfy Turkey and his opposition at home. If he could he would have! Why? Money there are vested economic interest between leading oligarchs here and Turkey. BB is a Pawn of our biggest moneyed interests and what is good for them is not the same as what is good for Israel.
Depends on what you mean by PRODUCTIVE? Then PRODUCTIVE to what end? Is that end really PRODUCTIVE? And if Yes for whom?
Don’t beat around the bush Narvey say straight out what you mean.
Your failed ideas are not mine. I learn I hope from mistakes and what has never and can never work. You, it may never sink in or you need a lot more time and more failures to be convinced. I can tell you one thing with certainty; You don’t have another 20-30 years to turn it around. Your patient is going into extremis.
While I oppose all of Livni’s ideas and policies at least the ones published. With a Livni as PM the right could unite in opposition and she would be very weak no matter what her coalition if the likud is not included. BB acts out the policies of Livni but also divides the right so he becomes strong. The left are co-opted because BB follows their agenda even if it’s zig zagging. and keep his right wing opposition at bey mostly by hiding his agenda till he can’t anymore then he lies, spins and bribes his coalition to keep them pacified. It’s hard if not impossible for the right to mount a credible opposition if he isn’t honest and transparent.
I can’t say that I believe anyone the Likud places at their head would take the election with a large enough majority to form a coalition. The left here has no electoral credibility.
There are many at Israpuindit who agree with me. What does that prove? Anybody who is saying BB is doing a credible job of protecting Israel understands nothing. Iran, even with setbacks unless attacked will eventually have the bomb if they don’t already have some. How is that protecting Israel? He was silent and allowed the Saudis and the Gulf States to contract for almost 100 billion between them in advanced weapons. He has allowed both Hizbolla and Hamas to amass 70,000 long short and medium range missiles against us. That’s protecting Israel? He has failed to respond with painful force to the almost daily bombardments from Gaza into Israel. The response when they came was tepid at best.
He handled the flotillas like an idiot. Paint guns then caved let the terrorists go, let the ships go and then opened up Gazato all materials till then proscribed.
He was responsible for the fiasco of the Carmel forest fires because he refused to implement State Controllers report for reform.
There is a lot more these are just headlines off the top of my head.
If he hasn’t it was not for any lack of trying.He did give up the most important thing. Principe of a Pali State. Everything else is a matter of haggling over the price of our corpse.
Yamit, from my reading, I am not sure you are right on your facts re: the further 90 day freeze request.
There have been reports that Netanyahu demanded a letter of committment from Obama, which Obama refused to give. Maybe that demand was at the behest of his cabinet or maybe not. Even if it was, Netanyahu bent to cabinet’s will. That suggests to me Netanyahu’s cabinet is, for better or for worse depending on circumstances, a good or bad restraint on Netanyahu.
There were however, other reports that said that while Israel was asking for a committment letter from Obama, Obama was talking to the Palestinians and concluded that even if he gave such letter to Netanyahu, it would not induce the Palestinians to re-enter serious discussions.
As for Netanyahu wanting to apologize to Turkey, if true, then that would be one instance when cabinet restraint on Netanyahu was a good thing.
Calling Netanyahu a liar is simply not productive.
As for Livni, even if she speaks truth about Netanyahu, I think most, if not all at Israpundit have more faith in Netanyahu as Israel’s leader than Livni.
I expect Yamit that the best thing you would concede and say in Netanyahu’s favor, is that he is the best amongst a bad lot of elected and electable Israeli leaders.
There are many at Israpundit who would disagree with you in that while registering their concerns with Netanyahu, are saying that overall, he is doing a decent job of protecting Israel and keeping her from giving anything more of any significance away to the Palestinians and others such as America without demanding a real quid pro quo in return.
Another BB lie Narvey
BB wanted to apologize but all his cabinet was against and the Holy polls he reads daily showed most Israelis against. He is a liar.
Narvey I have repeatedly said of BB for years that I never pay much attention to what BB says only what he does or seems to be doing or not doing.
He lied by claiming that Clinto and Hussein O withdrew their offer along with the demand for an additional freeze. It was BB he agreed to the freeze and accepted the deal sans written agreement between Obama and Israel. It was BB who lied to everyone trying to get his cabinet to accept only by his word. They didn’t fall for the scam and BB couldn’t deliver and the deal became mute at that point. Barak was of no use either.
BB didn’t want both Lieberman and Shas to appear they had him by the balls so now innocently he says he agreed (which is true) but America killed it which is not true. BB couldn’t deliver on his verbal commitment to Clinton.
I am not a Livni supporter but I respect her in that she speaks the truth as much as any Israeli politician and when that truth is directed against BB; her truth against BB’s truth she in my book wins going away.
What was, was, what is, is. Assuming Yamit’s unmitigated contempt for Netanyahu changing his tune in the past is warranted, is the current tune Netanyahu hums, not what is critically relevant today?
Yamit ignores what Netanyahu is saying today.
Livni has said and done much to earn the unmitigated contempt of many including those in the extreme right wing camp where we normally find Yamit. So why has Yamit parted company with his fellow right wingers and give Livni a nod of approval by extending to her what is commonly known as a left handed compliment?
Perhaps Yamit will deign to explain himself.
Netanyahu: Israel agreed to new settlement freeze, but U.S. retracted offer
PM blames Palestinians for deadlock in peace talks, says U.S. officials due to arrive in Israel to push forward talks on core issues.
BB is a liar and a traitor. Anybody who believes a word out of BB’s mouth is an idiot. Livni at least is not a chronic liar and sociopath.