[T. Belman. This plan will have great appeal for Israelis. The Right must respond if they want to lead the next government.]
Opposition chairman attacks government as Labor convention approves his separation plan.
The Labor party’s convention on Sunday evening officially approved its chairman Yitzhak Herzog’s “separation” peace plan.
Herzog’s plan, which he recently discussed with Secretary of State John Kerry, would form a regional security committee consisting of Egypt, Jordan and Israel together with other Arab states in an effort to eventually establish a Palestinian state.
This committee would coordinate a joint fight against radical Islamic terror and likewise advance “confidence building measures” in the Middle East.
With the approval of the plan at the convention, it will be part of the Labor party’s security-political platform.
Prior to the approval, Herzog gave a fiery speech in which he leveled harsh accusations about Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and members of his government, particularly the Jewish Home party.
“Only a separation between us and [the Palestinians] will maintain a Jewish majority in Israel,” insisted Herzog. “Only a separation between us and them will prevent the infiltration of terrorists and strengthen security. Only a separation between us and them will complete the security fence around the settlement blocs. Only a separation between us and them will disconnect the Palestinian villages from Jerusalem and maintain a Jewish Jerusalem. Only a separation between us and them will maintain security. We learned the lessons of the Gaza disengagement which the Likud did. The IDF will remain in the entire area and not move.”
Herzog then lambasted Netanyahu and his government, saying, “Netanyahu does not want to separate from the Palestinians. He is afraid of the extreme messianics on the right. The ones who want to drown us in a sea of ??an Arab-Jewish state. I heard Uri Ariel this morning talking again about the annexation of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to Israel.”
“You want to annex more Palestinians into Israel? Are you mad? So there will be more attacks? Bennett, the prophet of the messianics, uses laundered words: He says ‘the two-state solution is dead’. And I reply, on your behalf: ‘Listen to me Bennett: The two-state solution is not dead. You and your messianics would love for the two-state solution to die,’” he continued.
“The two-state idea is not dead,” Herzog said, “because without it the Jewish state will cease being a Jewish state. A separate state for Palestinians is Israel’s only chance to remain a democratic Jewish state with defensible borders. This is a Jewish-Israeli interest. But in order to realize this vision, we must be realistic. We must first dismantle the hatred. We need to eliminate the extremists on both sides because they both oppose the two-state vision and do everything to kill it.”
Herzog’s recent statements that the “two-state solution” is not feasible at the current time have caused friction between him and his party members, particularly Shelly Yechimovich who has announced she would challenge him for the party leadership.
At Sunday evening’s Central Committee meeting, Labor Secretary-General MK Yechiel Bar said that Herzog’s plan is “responsible, realistic and courageous.”
“I thank Herzog for his leadership on the political issue, and call on all of us to unite around the plan approved today. As of today everyone has one outline. Our strength is in our unity,” proclaimed bar.
Not only is Boogie aptly named, he is akin to other bodily excretions not worthy of my compost pile.
BARKAT BLASTS HERZOG’s DIPLOMATIC PLAN
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat criticized Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog Tuesday for his diplomatic plan that calls for relinquishing Arab neighborhoods in the capital in order to separate from the Palestinians.
Herzog told the Jerusalem Conference of the Besheva newspaper Monday that neighborhoods like Shuafat and Isawiya were not what Jews prayed for when they asked God to enable them to return to Jerusalem.
Barkat responded at the same conference Tuesday that it was wrong to divide Jerusalem and build walls within it.
“The idea of withdrawing from different areas inside Jerusalem is a dangerous, slippery slope,” Barkat said. “It begins with conceding sovereignty over neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city, continues with concessions in the Old City, and from there it is a short path to conceding sovereignty over the Western Wall and indicating to the Palestinians that we will concede all our rights to this land.”
Barkat said that anyone who thought it was possible to divide Jerusalem was suffering from illusions. He said too many elements of how the city functions were too intertwined to make dividing the city possible.
Herzog responded by noting that Barkat had recently joined Likud. He attributed the Jerusalem mayor’s attack on his plan to internal Likud politics.
Time to forget being politically correct and proportional in fighting Palestinian terrorism. It is time to be determined to win the conflict and not just say the conflict will continue forever. It is not acceptable that every few months or years that Palestinians shoot rockets at Israelis, blow up bombs, kidnap children or resort to other forms of violence against Jews in Israel.
Israel needs to deport and or Jail all terrorists and their supporters. This is a long term war which must be won. Those Arabs that would like to emigrate (polls say up to 80% in East Jerusalem and Judah/Samaria) would like to emigrate, Israel should assist them, including financially. Those Arabs who demonstrate loyalty to the State of Israel (e.g. Druze) are welcome to stay with full civil rights. This will take a long time but the conflict is already 100 years old and Israel needs to be determined to win it. Co-existence with those who deny you any right to exist and raise their children to kill you is not possible.
Once again, these are static analyses. When the war starts in earnest, world war that is, no one will notice the drops in the ocean “Palestine” and Gaza in the midst of the destruction of Europe and the United States.
I harbour no illusions. There is no chance of peace. I am ready to compromise.
My suggestions is we both compromise and divide Area C 50-50. Its the Arabs who won’t compromise even if they are getting 100%
Yes, this existing situation cannot go on forever. Eventually one side or the other will win.
Yes, a two state solution will reserve Israel for the Jews and the PA will get what we know as PA land.
BeBe is also concerned about re-election and US interference. Is BeBe waiting out Abass’s retirement?
Is what in the heart of the Palestinians the same as in the hearts of the Jews? Palestinian leaders want a Pan Arabic land.
But the average Palestinian wants a peaceful life, a good job, education for his children and security. Can it come if both sides have immovable positions?
Even with peace, think of all the three year olds and pre-kindergarten that were taught to hate Israelis. They grew up with hatrid. How to manage that issue to unbrainwash them.
I give you no answers, just thoughts!
Thank you Boogie for changing your mind again under pressure from the Stockholm Syndrome faction of the Labor Party. If Israelis are as stupid as you and Tzipi think they are then you assured to be the next PM.
This is actually a reductio ad absurdum proof that John Kerry will become PM before you ever do.