Lapid stated that Jerusalem is the “founding ethos” of the State of Israel and cannot be divided under any circumstances.
“If the Palestinians want a state, then they must know that this has a price and they will not get everything they want,” Lapid said.
Lapid’s comments came in response to a Tuesday morning Israel Radio report that Jerusalem was one of the topics under discussion in ongoing peace talks with the Palestinians.
According to the report, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who heads the Israeli negotiations team and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s representative, Yitzhak Molcho, argued amongst themselves during a meeting with Palestinian negotiators about the size of the area designated for the free movement of Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem.
The finance minister reiterated that he does believe in a two-state solution, adding that dividing the country will be “painful,” and will entail large evacuations that will “tear us to pieces.”
Lapid said that when the time comes for settlements to be evacuated as part of a peace deal, it is likely that general elections will be moved up, or at the least, a national referendum will be held.
Why worry?! No Jewish government would ever give up Jerusalem.
“If I forget thee, O Jerusalm, may my right hand wither and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.”
We do not say this every year, and not mean it.
Ted Belman Said:
they might get a sovereign compound like embassies get, Jordan is buying up land near the mount.
This is good news! Together we stand! Divided we fall!
This gives me a lot of comfort. Clearly the present government with the exception of Livni’s party won’t divide Jerusalem.