Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 03, 2009 Iyyar 9, 5769 | | Israel Time: 16:44 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File TLV 100
Last update - 01:49 30/04/2009
Ben-Eliezer: Netanyahu will surprise us with 'serious' Syria talks
By Yossi Verter, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Netanyahu, Israel News 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to conduct "serious negotiations" with the Palestinians and the Syrians, Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor) told Haaretz. The full interview will appear Friday in Week's End.

"Netanyahu is going to surprise us all," said Ben-Eliezer, who is industry, trade and employment minister, after several tete-a-tetes with the prime minister over the past month.

He said Netanyahu had assured him, both before and after he set up the government, that he would continue negotiating with the Syrians.
Advertisement

Regarding the Palestinians, Netanyahu's plan will be based on a two-state solution, said Ben-Eliezer.

"It's not the same Bibi," Ben-Eliezer said. "He's much more open, patient and relaxed. He's not alarmed or dogmatic. Something happened to him. He realizes that he cannot afford another crash like the one in his previous term.

"He understands that there's a new administration in the United States, which is neither the Clinton Administration nor the Bush administration, and that if we don't come up with a peace plan, someone else will call the shots for us."

"If we find that Bibi lied to us, we'll quit [the coalition]," said Ben-Eliezer, who is a member of the security cabinet.

He said that he and Netanyahu believe the Iranian issue should be solved diplomatically, not militarily.

Ben-Eliezer said the Labor Knesset members who objected to party chairman Ehud Barak's decision to enter the coalition were "terrorizing" the party, and called their conduct over Barak's dismissal of party secretary general Eitan Cabel "insanity."


Related articles:
  • After Lieberman remarks, Assad repeats Syria demand for Golan
  • Netanyahu's vow to Syria: Israel won't provoke war
  • Ben-Eliezer: If Iran attacks Israel, we will destroy it
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Israel's new U.S. envoy
    Michael Oren beats competition to be appointed ambassador to Washington
    Hamas and terror
    Gaza ruler Haniyeh urges European community to remove group from terror watch list
      1.   If these are serious like Olmert`s kulu chezeb! 02:01  |  American 30/04/09
      2.   Bibi will do what he always does 02:08  |  binny 30/04/09
      3.   Painful Compromises 02:32  |  BazMann 30/04/09
      4.   Let`s hope not 02:34  |  A Nice Fellow 30/04/09
      5.   two state solution 03:03  |  Great White North 30/04/09
      6.   Leftism vs Israel`s Security 03:16  |  Brod 30/04/09
      7.   For the gullible on a two State Solution 03:31  |  maoriboy 30/04/09
      8.   BIBI better not betray the Jewish people 03:55  |  Ralph Levy 30/04/09
      9.   Bibi 04:24  |  harold 30/04/09
      10.   to #2 and #3 04:25  |  Michal 30/04/09
      11.   Ben-Eliezer: #2 TWO STATES 04:28  |  DOV KORET 30/04/09
      12.   We are talking to Syria and will make an offer to isolate Iran 05:04  |  Mark Leaman 30/04/09
      13.   Ralph, Israel will give back what`s not theirs... 05:27  |  BBSNews 30/04/09
      14.   Invisible Hand 05:33  |  Xtian Zionist 30/04/09
      15.   Bibi and his gang 05:49  |  Ed 30/04/09
      16.   Syria Should forget Golan for peace 06:38  |  Baruch Gold 30/04/09
      17.   Today, holding the Golan is more important than ever: Giving ... 07:08  |  Jean Van Daem 30/04/09
      18.   Ed this "government" won`t last two years... 07:46  |  BBSNews 30/04/09
      19.   There is nothing to talk about. Return what was stolen! 09:04  |  Ivar 30/04/09
      20.   #8 Maybe, maybe not, BBSNews 09:09  |  Johnboy 30/04/09
      21.   Ben-Eliezer: Netanyahu will surprise us with serious`Syria talk? 09:39  |  Natallie Durson 30/04/09
      22.   Netanyahu and Syria 09:40  |  judith nusbaum 30/04/09
      23.   Bibi is spinning again and Ben-Eliezer 09:46  |  Steve the Pals. 30/04/09
      24.   Obama`s a Wimp 10:38  |  Dave 30/04/09
      25.   I remember 1966 and Jan.-June 1967 11:01  |  Yonatan 30/04/09
      26.   #15 Pardon me, Yonatan 12:11  |  Johnboy 30/04/09
      27.   Serious talks? A HUGE surprise would be serious action. 12:27  |  Michael 30/04/09
      28.   how can we be surprised ? how we can be amazed! 13:23  |  avi kuter 30/04/09
      29.   Bibi should seek approval from Ben Jabo Ben Tize 13:43  |  Aounist 30/04/09
      30.   to Yonatan #16 14:06  |  zeev 30/04/09
      31.   This Israeli government is 14:07  |  Axel 30/04/09
      32.   Another lie in a series of lies 14:57  |  Mike 30/04/09
      33.   #21 musselbrod convinces himself over and over again 15:08  |  vhardman 30/04/09
      34.   Never say a word until...."Surprise".! 15:13  |  Stephen. 30/04/09
      35.   Ben-Eliezer: 15:57  |  Joshua 30/04/09
      36.   Great White North: 1 state solution 16:19  |  Dave 30/04/09
      37.   To 8 Mr.BBs news 16:36  |  Salem Awaad 30/04/09
      38.   It`s no longer up to Israel. U.S. money trumps all. 17:56  |  Lou Medel 30/04/09
      39.   #38 hurrah for lou and his remedy for 56 muslim states 18:14  |  v hardman 30/04/09
      40.   Optimism or something for nothing 18:38  |  allang 30/04/09
      41.   #39 vhardman. You had me worried. We are worlds apart in ethics. 18:39  |  Lou Medel 30/04/09
      42.   # 34 Steven.... a shout-out from LA 19:33  |  allang 30/04/09
      43.   to v hardman #39 04:07  |  zeev 01/05/09
      44.   Fool me once but... 13:47  |  George 03/05/09
      45.   reciprocity Bibi, Reciprocity 13:49  |  Dan 03/05/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Durban II conference
    Air strike in Sudan
    Israel 2009 election results: Voter breakdown
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    15:17 Nine Bedouin suspected of plotting terror attacks
    14:27 Hamas: We won't oppose Israel-Syria talks
    16:29 One month on, how is Avigdor Lieberman faring as foreign minister?
    15:54 'IDF staged drills over Gibraltar, in preparation for Iran strike'
    10:37 Israel set to quit divided Lebanon border town
    14:02 PA forces report 150 arrests in crackdown on armed militants
    14:54 Iran candidate wanted in attack on Argentine Jews: I'd work with U.S.
    21:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    13:49 Ex-IDF chief named to head Ministry of Strategic Affairs
    09:27 Japan sentences Hasidic Israeli to 8 years in jail after Ecstasy bust
    08:14 Four settlers held for firing at Palestinian village in West Bank
    05:40 El Al launches third daily flight to London
    05:53 Israeli documentary on anti-Semitism gets special nod in U.S.
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    The Meier on Rothschild Tower
    Masterpiece Residence in the Heart of Tel Aviv
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved