In NBC interview, prime minister insists he still supports creation of Palestinian state, says that he is not a racist
BY REBECCA SHIMONI STOIL, TOI, March 19, 2015, 7:02 pm 19
WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday walked back statements made during campaigning rejecting the possibility of a two-state solution, telling NBC’s Andrea Mitchell, “I don’t want a one-state solution. I want a sustainable, peaceful two-state solution.”
Netanyahu’s first post-elections interview was delivered to the US news source, indicating a focus on calming tensions with Washington, which have risen steeply following a sharp right turn by Netanyahu in the final days of his campaign.
“I haven’t changed my policy,” Netanyahu insisted. “I never retracted my speech at Bar-Ilan University six years ago calling for a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes a Jewish state.”
“What has changed is the reality,” he continued. “[Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas] the Palestinian leader refuses to recognize the Jewish state and has made a pact with Hamas that calls for the destruction of the Jewish state, and every territory that is vacated today in the Middle East is taken up by Islamist forces. We want that to change so that we can realize a vision of real, sustained peace. I don’t want a one-state solution. I want a sustainable, peaceful two-state solution, but for that, circumstances have to change.”
On Monday, Netanyahu told Israeli news outlet Maariv that he would not allow a Palestinian state on his watch, as he attempted to rally voters from the right to cast ballots for his Likud party ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Netanyahu handily won the election against center-left rival Isaac Herzog, in part, analysts said, because of his last-ditch hardline appeal.
The comment brought an international backlash, with sources saying the White House may pull back support for Israel at the United Nations, compounding the prime minister’s already fractured relationship with US President Barack Obama.
On Wednesday, the Obama administration launched a scathing critique of Netanyahu’s campaign statements, even indicating that if Netanyahu rejected a negotiated path toward a two-state solution, the US would support Palestinian initiatives to unilaterally declare independence through the United Nations.
The prime minister downplayed the level of discord with Washington, noting that “Secretary Kerry called me yesterday, and I am sure I’ll be speaking to President Obama soon.”
“We’ll work together – we have to – because we have no other alternatives. We’re allies,” Netanyahu insisted. “We have to consult each other, not have fiats or unilateral impositions but negotiated peace with our neighbors and support between allies, and America has no greater ally than Israel and Israel has no greater ally than the United States.”
He also stressed that he “didn’t mean any disrespect” to Obama in addressing Congress earlier this month to warn against an impending deal on Iran’s nuclear program. Later in the interview, the premier demonstrated unusual flexibility, saying that allowing Iran to retain a “small number” of its centrifuges as part of a deal “wasn’t something that Israel and its Arab neighbors would love, but it is something that they could live with.”
Israel’s traditional position has been that Iran must be stripped of an capacity to create nuclear weapons, including the dismantlement of all facilities used to enrich either uranium or plutonium.
The prime minister rejected allegations that the decision to bypass the White House and make a speech at the invitation of the Republican-controlled Congress was a partisan move.
The prime minister also dismissed allegations that he had resorted to racist demagoguery following comments about high Arab voter turnout during the election. Netanyahu defended his record in reaching out to the Arab community. “I will continue to do that – in my government – to have real integration of Arab citizens of Israel into the Israeli economy, Israeli high-tech, and Israeli society. My commitment is real and it will stay real.”
Netanyahu doubled down, however, on his allegations that there was a well-funded international campaign against him. He emphasized that his warning was not about Arabs-Israelis voting in general, but rather warning that there was a large turnout in support of “a specific party – an amalgamation of Islamists and other anti-Israel groups.” According to Netanyahu, he also issued the warning to a group of Arab supporters of Likud, in order to encourage them to go to the polls in support of the prime minister’s party.
“I wasn’t trying to suppress the vote. I was attempting to get something to counter a foreign-funded effort to get votes that are intended to topple my party.”
Read more: Netanyahu backs away from rejection of two-state solution | The Times of Israel http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-backs-away-from-rejection-of-two-state-solution/#ixzz3Ur7yqfeJ
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So no more weasel words!
I love it one way or the other this will be a huge bang!
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Bennett-to-Netanyahu-No-coalition-without-pledge-to-rule-out-Palestinian-state-394595
woolymammoth Said:
In America that would be the GOP who helped Obama get elected – the people wanted economic reform and a more fair share of the pie and the GOP offered them further repression – the GOP are their own worst enemy if not just another monkey on the back of the American people.
Avigail Said:
Exactly – the right wing got in power and the suicidal center left did not – that’s what matters.
…
And it’s not just Israel – Israel is a lynchpin – image the confidence the will have in the mosques in Canada and the USA when Israel is dust and their Jihad towards us becomes full blown.
the continuance of a belligerent hamas prevents the emergence of the suicidal TSS on the west bank
@ mar55:
Thank you for your firm stand on behalf of all of the Jewish people.
You are correct on that I am working with very excellent people to present suggestions to the PM Office with which I am in contact.
One of the most critical is to prevent any function given to Michael Oren.
Then there is a list of some eleven other points of reference we consider central for our success.
Again Todah
And you still have a right to post on a Jewish site. That is the real nystery here.
Netanyahu sits with Megyn Kelly (Full Interview)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tvDtKCsCkw
@ NormanF:
Agreed.
@ dove:
We’re not really in disagreement. I have a feeling things look set for a bumpy ride over the next two years. Netanyahu’s honeymoon with Obama was over before it began.
There is no use persuading the man-child in the White House to see the whole picture.
@ Avigail:
Yup. And Netanyahu should realize now that no matter what he says or does, nothing will ever be good enough to please Obama. We are talking about countries.
Israel must stand up for itself because no one else will do that for the Jewish State.
@ NormanF:
Norman, come back to your senses, please. We’re not talking about two kids in a schoolyard here; we are talking about countries.
Anything the bastid will do to harm Bibi will harm us. I mean, we, the Jews in Israel.
Me thinks you’re talking out of spite because you believed him.
Me, I did not, no more than yamit (for instance).
So I’m not angry or rather my anger is directed at Obama, who has the avowed goal of jeopardizing, if not destroying, the US-Israel relationship, regardless of what we say or do.
@ NormanF:
This is nothing new either. Even if BB hadn’t of made that dumb turnabout without explaining himself, Obama still would have gone to town on him. Maybe this isn’t about you – but YES this is about me. What affects, Israel, what affects Jews also affects me.
Enough said. I’m sure your one of these that has to get the last word….so go ahead.
@ dove:
Let’s put it this way. Obama already got the satisfaction of treating Netanyahu the way he considers a Jew should be treated. Netanyahu would like to desperately keep things civil with him. Obama has already decided to screw him over. Its not about you and me – its about the fact Obama treats Israel more like an enemy than like an ally.
@ NormanF:
No….you are not just pointing out the facts. This is what you said:
I hope Obama screws him over
I would not want to give Obama the satisfaction.
@ dove:
Huh? I’m not helping Obama – I’m just pointing out the facts. Netanyahu wants to be the Jew who behaved like a bird to the lord of a Russian manor in the Sholem Aleichem tale. The bird Jew’s fate wasn’t a pleasant one.
@ NormanF:
Like duh?? That is still no reason to hope that Obama teach BB a lesson. Obama is a coward. He is using the American clout that does not belong to him to threaten. 1. The U.S. is a Superpower – Obama misuses that. 2. He doesn’t have any pressure about re-elections so he uses MORE muscle.
That doesn’t make it right. Israel is not the only country that Obama does that to. Make no mistake – there are Jews AND Gentiles other than BB who can drive the point home. Obama isn’t making much headway in any of his other dealings ie ISIS, Russia – so…..pick on the Jewish State. He wants to have some kind of accomplishment before he leaves office…..please don’t help him.
@ mar55:
Most people want to show someone respect. Someone who attaches an expedient value to his words, finds himself the object of their contempt. Look at how Obama treats him; this is exactly what he should expect from a man who has no empathy for Israel.
@ mar55:
If you don’t have core beliefs and say what you say out of expediency, you have no self-respect. And Netanyahu should not be surprised that Obama keeps on treating him like something he scrapes off the bottom of his shoes.
@ dove:
Obama may be weak and pitiful but on Israel he knows exactly what buttons to push. And this is not a spat with an Israeli leader for whom he has a visceral dislike. Its far more.
@ Avigail:
The problem with Netanyahu is: He wants to be liked. What he should be doing is wanting to be respected. If people respect you, they like you.
He has this infantile vision that the entire world should like him.
@ NormanF:
Still not a good thing to wish for. We can work around BB WITHOUT giving carte blanche to Obama. That would hurt too many of US.
@ dove:
Obama doesn’t like Israel. I can only imagine in their phone call, the humiliation on Netanyahu’s face on finding out his flip flop did not mollify the President. When you’re dishonest, G-d will repay you to your face so to speak. Unless Netanyahu is willing to make new concessions, mere words will not redeem him in Obama’s eyes. It would have been far better had he stood his ground in that TV interview.
Avigail Said:
Good one! Though drop the BS that Obama is a “Marxist” the use is run by a Stalinist Power Elite- anything that shares the wealth with the people is a step towards democracy.
That is the basis on which Obama got elected – the only criticism is that he did NOTHING to stop the economic fascism of the elite in fact he said “they didn’t do anything wrong”.
That particular BS you spouted is propaganda from the power elite who are afraid oaf any threat to their economic fascism and their goal of obtaining absolute economic power. I remember in “The Grapes of Wrath” they were even back then anyone or any group that threatened their monopolies as “communist”. It’s an old old propaganda ploy.
Rubio also could have mentioned the open mike slip by Kerry in 2014 – he missed mentioning that one – that was more significant than anything.
If you put any “malevolent label” on Obama it would be a malevolent “Islamist Enabler” he is simply someone who has hitched a ride to power on the Neo-Leftist foreign policy agenda – which in nature is not “leftist” but “anti-” anti-American anti-defense etc. Not an overt self-controlled agenda.
@ NormanF:
NOT a good thing to hope for…..
@ Bear Klein:
I agree. BB still lacks confidence and doesn’t know how to respond to the Iron Fist. He could have easily outlined Bennets approach and made it clear WHY he said before the election no 2 state solution – he could have easily expanded on it to make sense. Who the hell are his advisers?
Guys, this is a must-see (15 mn):
Rubio is trouncing Obama on Israel. He goes all through the history of what the malevolent marxist said and did.
Rubio rips Obama for his policies towards Israel in 15-minute Senate floor speech; Update: Obama warns Netanyahu on Palestinian state
@ NormanF:
I’m in yamit’s boat: never had any delusion about Netanyahu.
For over a decade we propose to completely clear the government deck and restart from the ground up.
There is NOBODY within the combina worth to be a leader.
The true status of both “contenders” was that three days before elections. Virtual tie into nothing.
A decision was made to defeat Mr. Obama and the only way to do that was to for one more time, prop Netanyahu.
We know he was in shock at the outcome and his office has been informed of the reason why he “won”.
It is time to start preparing for a real system change immediately. I propose to call for a Jewish National Convention. The people shall elect outside the combina, Jewish representatives to be part of said Convention. A steering Committee must be set up to organize the mechanics of the election. Anyone that believed his Iranian promises needs urgent attention by experts.
He never intended to prevent Iran’s bomb.
Netanyahu was, is and will be what we should by know he is.
@ Avigail
The difference is his promises are believable and with Netanyahu they’re faked.
That said, I agree with your reasons why Israelis didn’t want him in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Netanyahu is a Machiavellian politician. I am not his fan and what he said today was right in keeping with who he is. Yamit will tell you the other shoe dropped rather early.
@ NormanF:
You gotta be kidding. He’s as untrustworthy as Netanyahu is.
And moreover, he’s weak, naive, cannot withstand pressure, cannot make a speech.
I’m still happy that Bibi won against him, despite his idiot flip-floppings of late (I knew what to expect anyway – and who didn’t?)
@ woolymammoth:
You’re making excuses for him. I can understand why Buzi Herzog wouldn’t sell his soul to sup with the devil. Buzi is honest and you can believe he means what he says. With Netanyahu you never know when he will shove the knife in your back.
@ Bear Klein:
Netanyahu knows no one will stop him. He is strong enough to do whatever he wants and he put the religious Zionists in their place.
And any one else who is a threat to him, he will double cross them too, use them and then discard them when it suits him.
I warned Daniela Weiss about being overjoyed with him. Verify first, then trust.
mar55 Said:
The man is not admired, respected or beloved. I grant he is a masterful political magician. He got re-elected safely and his promises are the first thing he can safely discard.
Dandaman Said:
Really? Now he says he can live with an unspecified number of centrifuges? Talk about weasel language. But every one knows this is vintage Netanyahu.
@ NormanF: Except in this case the ones screwed over is Israel.
Israel needs to use Bennets approach and no apologizes. Israel needs to explain to the world why a true two state solution will not work.
Use Bennetts framework. The Palestinians get to run their lives in Area A/B just like the residents of San Marino do (de-militarized) provided they agree to this formula and keep the peace. Israel is not giving up land it has a right to and it also needs for security.
Obama is trying to get even with the little Jewish country who will jump when he says jump. He only wants Israel to ask how high they should jump.
Obama and the world should be told in a speech from Bar Illan what Israel will agree to and not after the coalition agreement is complete.
bernard ross Said:
Ah yes – Netanyahu pulls the rug out from under Republicans trying to stop a bad deal with Iran. I’ve seen everything from such a shady character but this one definitely takes an Oscar home for unmitigated chutzpah.
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
I agree – and if he thinks trying to warm the atmosphere up with Obama will repair relations with Washington, the man is in for a rude awakening.
Avigail Said:
I hope Obama screws him over and teaches him that trying to fool every one doesn’t work. I’m really livid and you know a man who tries to fool people ends up getting burned.
Ted Belman Said:
Note that he says its not possible now but maybe down the road. No one really believes him – not Obama, not the Arabs and not his own voters. He is a pathological liar who tells different audiences what he thinks they want to hear. I am not a fan of Tzipi Livni but she is right when she says what he did is quite cynical.
BREAKING:
This is becoming funny:
So Bibi flip-flopped and what is the answer of the White House?
We don’t believe you
Hope you learn, Bibi
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
I agree with you. The vote more a vote against Obama than a vote for BB. In any case, I’m happy the left lost.
You probably won’t take a rest until a Coalition has been formed.
Perhaps then you will have time to look at the digital copy
of Don Quijote in its original form I sent. I’m sure you are aware that it is to be read aloud as in The Chauser.
I sent you also a link for very old sayings or dichos.
Some of them are so old than they are not being used. anymore.
I guess we’ve returned to the state where true believers have to come up with creative alibis on behalf of BB. I hope there will be some forward progress, but I still believe, if anything, Iran will keep BB honest.
Relax. The Pals will never accept Israel as a Jewish State. Therefore the 2 state solution cannot move forward. Gaza was a perfect example of what they will do to Israel if left on their own. This illustration needs to be repeated over and over to the masses.
@ Ted Belman:
Honeymoon is a honey trap. Netanyahu is The Obamagator. He must make public statements which will serve as a foundation of admittedly a defensive strategy designed to prevent the enemy Obama from gaining support on capital hill for a variety wicked maneuvers he is contemplating. Obama’s goal is in line with those who he supports and empowers, The Muslim Brotherhood and it’s affiliates, e.g. Hamas, for one. So, yes now one can see clearly why Netanyahu took the positions he did in the previous administration. I would take him at his word, no Palestinian state. when he can, he will build. He will do the best he can with that bearing in mind the goal is to block to the maximum any permanent damage Obama tries to implement.
I am not bothered by his statement, I expected it, it is rational, forward thinking and brilliant, under THESE MOST EXTRAORDINARY OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
IMPEACH OBAMA AND TO THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HELPED HIM GET ELECTED, POLITELY BANISH THEM for good.
I wonder what he expects in return?
His true status was that valid up to two days before the vote. He was not solid in any way.
The last three days gain was predicated upon purely shifted votes set in motion to defeat Mr. Obama and not to anoint him.
He is threading on very thin political ice.
Short honeymoon, Ted. And it’s over.
Why doesn’t he also say that he rejects a two state solution based on “67 lines plus swaps.” He obviously is leaving that option open.
Also when he said he would build thousands of units in Jerusalem, he didn’t say what part of Jerusalem and he did not say that he would build in J&S.
And I thought we would have a honeymoon from this shit.