Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed President Barack Obama’s vision for a peace agreement in the Middle East based upon an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, including an exchange of land that takes into account the new population within Jewish settlements in the occupied areas of the West Bank. He also reiterated the crippling prohibitions to the resolution of the Palestinian issue, especially Israel’s retention of East Jerusalem, major settlement blocs, the buffer zone on the Jordan Valley, the prohibition since 1948 of the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes in occupied Palestine, and the demand that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
During a speech yesterday evening in Washington before the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Netanyahu said that the largest Jewish lobby supporting Israel is in the United States. “I will also outline a vision for a secure Israeli-Palestinian peace.” He explained, “I want to assure you of one thing. It must leave Israel with security. And therefore, Israel cannot return to the indefensible 1967 lines.”
Many protesters boycotted Netanyahu’s speech while asserting that the denial of the Palestinian rights to freedom, independence and sovereignty is unacceptable. Because their heckling dominated the applause from the audience, U.S. security escorted them outside the conference hall.
Netanyahu responded to the crowd, “You can’t have these protests in the farcical parliaments in Tehran or in Tripoli.” He added, “Support for Israel doesn’t divide America. It unites America. It unites the old and the young, liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans.”
In a speech before members of Congress yesterday, Netanyahu declared his willingness to make what he called “painful compromises” in Israeli territories and the relinquishing of “parts of the Jewish homeland,” and demanded that the Palestinian’s attempt to impose a settlement through the United Nations “be forcefully opposed.”
“I am willing to make painful compromises to achieve this historic peace. As the leader of Israel, it is my responsibility to lead my people to peace. This is not easy for me. I recognize that in a genuine peace, we will be required to give up parts of the Jewish homeland. In Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], the Jewish people are not foreign occupiers… The status of the settlements will be decided only in negotiations. But we must also be honest. So I am saying today something that should be said publicly by anyone serious about peace. In any peace agreement that ends the conflict, some settlements will end up beyond Israel’s borders.”
Netanyahu added, “In recent years, the Palestinians twice refused generous offers by Israeli prime ministers, to establish a Palestinian state on virtually all the territory won by Israel in the Six Day War. They were simply unwilling to end the conflict. And I regret to say this: They continue to educate their children to hate. They continue to name public squares after terrorists. And worst of all, they continue to perpetuate the fantasy that Israel will one day be flooded by the descendants of Palestinian refugees. My friends, this must come to an end. President Abbas must do what I have done. I stood before my people, and I told you it wasn’t easy for me, and I said… ‘I will accept a Palestinian state.’ It is time for President Abbas to stand before his people and say, ‘I will accept a Jewish state.’ They will make clear to the Palestinians that this conflict must come to an end. That they are not building a state to continue the conflict with Israel, but to end it. They will convince the people of Israel that they have a true partner for peace.”
Netanyahu said, “The Palestinian attempt to impose a settlement through the United Nations will not bring peace. It should be forcefully opposed by all those who want to see this conflict end.”
“[Palestinians] should enjoy a national life of dignity as a free, viable and independent people in their own state. They should enjoy a prosperous economy, where their creativity and initiative can flourish. … We will be very generous on the size of a future Palestinian state. But as President Obama said, the border will be different than the one that existed on June 4, 1967. Israel will not return to the indefensible lines of 1967. … Jerusalem must remain the united capital of Israel. … And it is vital that Israel maintain a long-term military presence along the Jordan River.” In response, Palestinian spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said, “What Netanyahu put in his speech before the U.S. Congress does not lead to peace, but put more obstacles to the peace process.”
Abu Rudeina stressed that peace should be based upon the establishment of a Palestinian state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Palestinians refuse to accept any Israeli presence in the Palestinian state, especially along the Jordan River. He also stressed that peace must be based on international legitimacy and negotiations, not preconditions.
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