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Last update - 23:18 31/03/2009
Netanyahu: Israel seeks lasting peace with Arabs
By Haaretz Service
Tags: likud, ehud olmert 

Incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers Tuesday that he would work toward Mideast peace, warned of the threat of Iranian nuclear ambitions and vowed to bring abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit home.

"We will not let anyone question our right to exist," he told lawmakers gathered at the Knesset in Jerusalem for the swearing-in of the new coalition. "Israel can`t afford to treat statements against it light-heartedly."

In his address, Netanyahu called radical Islam and the Iranian regime major threats to regional security, but praised Islamic culture as "great and rich, with many branches in our people's history which has known periods which flourished for Arabs and Jews who lived together and created together."
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He said that blocking the Iranian nuclear program was in the interest of both Israel and the Muslim world, adding that he hoped the region could work together "to block terrorism in every direction and fight it until the end."

"Israel has always, and today more than ever, strives to reach full peace with the entire Arab and Muslim world, and today that yearning is supported by a joint interest of Israel and the Arab states against the fanatical obstacle that threatens us all," he said.

Netanyahu did not explicitly endorse an independent Palestinian state while declaring his commitment to peace, but said: "We do not wish to rule another people. We do not want to rule the Palestinians... Under the permanent status agreement, the Palestinians will have all the authority necessary to rule themselves."

He also warned the Palestinian Authority that it must do its part to fight terror if it is serious about peace.

"I say to the Palestinian leadership that if you really want peace we can achieve peace," Netanyahu told a Knesset session interrupted by heckling from Arab and left-wing lawmakers.

He offered negotiations on "three parallel tracks, economic, security and diplomatic" with the Palestinian Authority.

Netanyahu also pledged to do whatever it takes to free abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been in Palestinian captivity since he was abducted in a 2006 cross-border raid from the Gaza Strip.

The incoming premier promised that his government would "work to bolster national security and achieve personal security for Israel's citizens... maintain the Jewish character of the state and Jewish tradition, and also respect the religions and traditions of the country's ethnic communities."

Netanyahu thanked outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for his "devoted service" to the state, and promised to engage in peace talks with "sincerity and a clear mind."

Following his address, Netanyahu began to name the 30 new ministers and deputy ministers appointed to serve in the new government coalition, set to be voted in at the end of the ceremony.

Olmert delivered his final speech as premier just before Netanyahu's address, urging the new coalition to follow in his government's path and make the peace process a central focus of the coming term.

In particular, the outgoing prime minister called on Netanyahu to continue on the Syria track, a process which Olmert jumpstarted during his term.

"I was not privileged to realize my dream and achieve true peace with our neighbors," Olmert said. "Although we have made considerable progress in this field as well and discussed topics we did not dare discuss in the past, the work is yet to be completed."

"Peace is not a one man's dream. It is the dream of a very large part of our people, who have been dreaming about it for many years," he added.


Olmert's tenure as prime minister was heavily criticized throughout, with two wars and a dozen investigations into his alleged corruption.


"Despite the circumstances, I have no anger or bitterness against anyone," Olmert said during his address. "I believe with all my heart that I was privileged to be what only 11 selected individuals were before me - prime minister of Israel."

During his address, the outgoing prime minister defended his government's decision to carry out the 2006 war in Lebanon and the recent operation in the Gaza Strip.

The Israel Defense Forces is "most moral army in the world," Olmert declared, adding that this was evident by Israel's actions during its offensive on the Gaza Strip earlier this year.

He also defended the government's decision to carry out the 2006 Second Lebanon War against Hezbollah militants, despite widespread criticism of the state's handling of that war.

"The outcomes of Second Lebanon War, in long run, are positive," Olmert said, adding that the war "changed strategic balance along the border in our favor."

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni, meanwhile wished success to the incoming coalition as she took her stand at the podium, but quickly added that the deal under which the government had been assembled would "not benefit the state at all."

Livni, who lost out on the opportunity to form the new government despite her Kadima party's slim win in the February elections, told lawmakers that the opposition under her leadership would act responsibly.

"I would like to see new government succeed," Livni said, as she took the podium following incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address.

Her speech was heaped with criticism of Israel's 32nd government, though, calling the coalition deal "a shame to the Knesset."

Livni also blasted the "enormous" size of the cabinet, which will comprise 30 ministers and seven deputy ministers.

"The honorable prime minister-designate, the skinny man who is getting skinnier every day," Livni said, alluding to Netanyahu's feted metaphor of the private sector struggling to support the wasteful public sector. "On this thin man's shoulders you have now dumped this bloated government, filled with ministers of nothing, deputy ministers of nothings, and all sorts of other ridiculous titles," she said.

"A big and lavish cabinet is wrong at a time of economic constraints," said Livni, adding that "the public will have to carry the enormous weight of a bloated cabinet."

"Kadima will continue to be alternative to government," she vowed. "If [we] had joined the government, we would have buried hope." Livni pledged that her opposition would work to bring the public's faith back to the Knesset.

She also took the opportunity to lambaste Labor Party Chairman Ehud Barak, who chose to join Netanyahu's government despite the latter's right-wing stance.

"Ehud Barak is committing personal fraud by exploting his political connections," she said.

In response, Barak's office called Livni's "embarrassing statements... proof of her losing control."

"The extent of her frustration is not a justification to say these things in the name of a 'more ethical politics,'" Barak's associates said. "Ms. Livni should put her own house in order, and scrutinize the conduct of Kadima members, before giving lessons to others."

"Livni should invest her energies in parliamentary motions instead of baseless and reckless accusations," they concluded.


Related articles:
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  • Livni: New government is bad for Israel
  • Olmert's departure / A prime minister without a legacy
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      1.   Please, not again... 17:36  |  jens 31/03/09
      2.   Right to exist? 18:00  |  Nils Levin 31/03/09
      3.   Same old... 18:03  |  Sam Soul 31/03/09
      4.   Netanyahu: Take Note 18:05  |  Yaakov Sullivan 31/03/09
      5.   Questioning The Right of Injustice to Exist 18:09  |  Binyamin 31/03/09
      6.   Notice His Order of Priorities 18:10  |  Yaakov Sullivan 31/03/09
      7.   empty rethorics won`t hide the ideological emptiness 18:15  |  Ernst 31/03/09
      8.   The right to exist ! 18:16  |  Akram Zekaria 31/03/09
      9.   i have an idea mr.netanyahu 18:17  |  abraham 31/03/09
      10.   Where do these gnomes come from already? 18:25  |  lily 31/03/09
      11.   When he says, `most moral army in the world`... 18:26  |  Lou Medel 31/03/09
      12.   Am Y[isroel Chai, Yerushaliem shels ahav 18:31  |  Big Sur 31/03/09
      13.   Bibi talk 18:34  |  Rani 31/03/09
      14.   Simple question... 18:44  |  Matty Groves 31/03/09
      15.   Palestinians are a fiction 18:48  |  bob 31/03/09
      16.   How about the term `zionist entity` 1,2,3,4,5,7 18:51  |  Joe Frazier 31/03/09
      17.   Right to Exist 18:53  |  BazMann 31/03/09
      18.   THE ARAB PEACE PLAN - A PIECE OF PAPER 19:04  |  ANUAR AL SADAT 31/03/09
      19.   DELETED BY MODERATOR 19:04  |  Linda Rivera 31/03/09
      20.   That is the biggest lie Natanyahoo has told! 19:06  |  The Bedouin 31/03/09
      21.   9~Abraham, A lonely one Zionist Palestinian ! 19:10  |  Akram Zekaria 31/03/09
      22.   Will Israel accept the 1967 borders. Yes or no? 19:14  |  jens 31/03/09
      23.   "Lasting peace" at gunpoint 19:14  |  Antonius 31/03/09
      24.   Israeli Arabs 19:18  |  Gene 31/03/09
      25.   Arabs do not seek lasting peace with Israel 19:36  |  17 31/03/09
      26.   For god`s sake, what a liar 19:39  |  Marilyn 31/03/09
      27.   Linda Rivera and G-d 19:43  |  BazMann 31/03/09
      28.   United Nations Security Council Resolution 242, as is, must be... 19:57  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 31/03/09
      29.   fre advice on "right to exist" is worth its price 19:59  |  david 31/03/09
      30.   Nels` free advice "right to exist" is worth its price 20:04  |  David 31/03/09
      31.   Why would anyone 20:04  |  James 31/03/09
      32.   Give Bibi a chance here 20:07  |  Max 31/03/09
      33.   No Bob, the Palestinians 20:09  |  Marilyn 31/03/09
      34.   BazMann 20:10  |  G 31/03/09
      35.   Marylin 20:20  |  Jeff 31/03/09
      36.   Bibi, don`t back down! 20:20  |  Rebekah 31/03/09
      37.   Who ever said the PLO & Hamas wants peace? 20:22  |  Mary 31/03/09
      38.   #.22 jens. 20:22  |  Stephen. 31/03/09
      39.   Congrats Netanyahu! Today is a wonderful day. 20:30  |  4:20 31/03/09
      40.   # 22 will arabs accept all of Israel`s positions? 20:30  |  mike 31/03/09
      41.   Reciprocal "Right to Exist", nothing less, nothing more 20:46  |  Nour 31/03/09
      42.   ONE-STATE SOLUTION approaching 20:52  |  Zack 31/03/09
      43.   #26 Marilyn Couldn`t have said it better , kudos 20:57  |  Nour 31/03/09
      44.   Finally a gov with a man since Sharon... 21:00  |  JP 31/03/09
      45.   Finally a gov with a man since Sharon... 21:00  |  JP 31/03/09
      46.   Peace 21:02  |  lola 31/03/09
      47.   Bibi will keep the most moral army a new bright that faults 21:03  |  JP 31/03/09
      48.   Recognizing Israel`s right to exist and the ceasing of all... 21:05  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 31/03/09
      49.   26~Marilyn: For god`s sake, make up your mind ! 21:17  |  Akram Zekaria 31/03/09
      50.   Akram Zekaria-silly stuff from our bitter cousin. 21:22  |  Ibrahim 31/03/09
      51.   I`d say to Bibi... forget the rhetorical Arab-and-Muslim-world.. 21:24  |  Esther 31/03/09
      52.   Marilyn #26... well-placed indignation... 21:29  |  Esther 31/03/09
      53.   I AM... 21:33  |  Palestinian 31/03/09
      54.   Talking of peace while approving more settlement is dishonest 21:40  |  Hanna 31/03/09
      55.   BB may finish what Begin has started 21:42  |  Giora 31/03/09
      56.   Bibi can mouth words as well as anyone 21:48  |  Natallie Durson 31/03/09
      57.   Finally, time for Israel to wake up! 21:50  |  Mongo 31/03/09
      58.   Here we go again... 21:58  |  Stephen 31/03/09
      59.   Time is running out, Bibi 22:02  |  V.R. Sonti 31/03/09
      60.   Loaded Phrase 22:03  |  BazMann 31/03/09
      61.   the proof`s in the pudding, bibi 22:12  |  eric 31/03/09
      62.   #3 Nils Levin 22:30  |  JoJo 31/03/09
      63.   the positive side of statements some doubt 22:42  |  frank lee 31/03/09
      64.   Of course Israel wants peace--just does not want to pay the price 22:45  |  Labhras 31/03/09
      65.   #8 Akram Zekaria 22:47  |  BDS 31/03/09
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      67.   #15 Bob 22:56  |  BDS 31/03/09
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      69.   To Ivar and Others - Please Explain Further 23:14  |  Eli 31/03/09
      70.   Bibi`s Peace Plan: Maximum Land, Minimum Arabs 23:18  |  Binyamin 31/03/09
      71.   #25 Say 17, I saw your note about Jesus, 23:48  |  ballistic 31/03/09
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      74.   Yeah, sure, right...... 00:27  |  Johnboy 01/04/09
      75.   Labhras 48 "of course Israel wants peace". New admission! 00:28  |  Realist 01/04/09
      76.   "We do not wish to rule another people". Nor to be ruled. 00:32  |  Realist 01/04/09
      77.   #28 Such nonsense, Jehudah 00:38  |  Johnboy 01/04/09
      78.   #23 Indeed true, Antonius 00:45  |  Johnboy 01/04/09
      79.   MARYLIN tell the Kurds about no occupation? 01:30  |  PETER SM 01/04/09
      80.   MEDEL When Hamas chose to fight amongst their civillians 01:43  |  PETER SM 01/04/09
      81.   response to #51 01:58  |  bronxite10 01/04/09
      82.   Marilyn 02:05  |  Denise 01/04/09
      83.   To # 9 you did that in Gaza, failed the test!! 02:28  |  Abuya 01/04/09
      84.   To simple question #14. 03:52  |  jon 01/04/09
      85.   Zekaria:right to exist 05:00  |  Robert Mabbutt 01/04/09
      86.   Balance of power, Bibi 12:20  |  petra 01/04/09
      87.   Right to exist crap 13:12  |  john and the TRUTH! 01/04/09
      88.   bob/ Golda Meir 13:16  |  Jean-f. 01/04/09
      89.   Mike n 40 14:02  |  john and the TRUTH! 01/04/09
      90.   lasting peace 16:52  |  omar 01/04/09
      91.   Israel seeks lasting peace with Arabs 17:18  |  WHG 01/04/09
      92.   Ballistic....the Palestinian terrorists remind me of 00:45  |  Maria 02/04/09
      93.   Eli, 69, stuck in the Dark Ages over Palestinian rights 01:08  |  Ivar 02/04/09
      94.   Tired old slogans 15:06  |  Colin 02/04/09
      95.   the international face of Israel 20:35  |  Rex 02/04/09
      96.   95 Rex: What kind of name is Rex? 21:39  |  Realist 02/04/09
      97.   Realist`s rubbish 04:08  |  john and the TRUTH! 03/04/09
      98.   #93 Very true, Ivar 06:07  |  Johnboy 03/04/09
      99.   Peter SM from oz 06:42  |  Jean-f. 03/04/09
      100.   Don`t you mean 10,000 more Peter SM? 10:46  |  Rod 03/04/09
      101.   Yaakov Sullivan go fk a dk 14:45  |  petra 03/04/09
      102.   Jens Israel has peace, where are you? 14:46  |  petra 03/04/09
      103.   Permission? 21:02  |  Yael 03/04/09
      104.   #73 Just look at any Arab nation apartheid 13:14  |  petra 04/04/09
      105.   Where do the Palestinians come from 04:54  |  chucky 05/04/09
      106.   #77 Johnboy`s chilling lie 14:26  |  The Prophet 05/04/09
      107.   Chucky # 105/ to answer your question Chucky 22:18  |  Maureen 05/04/09
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