Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., June 09, 2009 Sivan 17, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:57 (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
Share |
PM to give major speech in response to Obama address
By Barak Ravid

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss the future of settlement construction and the establishment of a Palestinian state during a major policy address at Bar-Ilan University on Sunday. In the speech, Netanyahu will lay out his plans for Israel's relations with the Palestinian Authority and Arab countries, a source close to the premier said yesterday.

It remains unclear whether Netanyahu will recognize the principle of two states for two peoples in the speech, which is meant as a response to U.S. President Barack Obama's address in Cairo last week. Obama stressed the two-state solution, saying it is good for both Israel and the Palestinians.
Advertisement

"Ahead of the speech, I will hear the views of my coalition partners and others among the Israeli public," Netanyahu told the ministers during the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday. "I would like to make it clear that we seek peace with the Palestinians and the Arab world, while trying to reach the greatest possible understanding with the United States and the international community. I aspire to achieve a stable peace, while leaning on the foundations of security for the State of Israel and its citizens."

Netanyahu has yet to finalize his address, and is expected to discuss it this week with his advisers, ministry representatives and other political officials. The speech was moved up from next Tuesday to Sunday - possibly because Netanyahu wants to lay out his principles before Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman leaves for Brussels on Monday to meet with several European counterparts, according to a government source.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak is pushing Netanyahu to take a conciliatory stance on the two-state solution and to announce that he is committed to the principles of the road map. Barak has told Netanyahu that his meetings with American officials in Washington last week gave him the impression that taking such positions would make it easier for Israel to reach an agreement with the United States about settlement expansion for the purposes of natural growth.

"I am optimistic that Netanyahu will accept these positions," Barak said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell will arrive in Israel tonight for talks on halting settlement construction. Mitchell, who will meet with Netanyahu, Barak and Lieberman tomorrow, is also expected to call on Israel to ease restrictions at the Gaza border crossings.

Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief, is due to visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority on Wednesday and discuss what Netanyahu plans to say in next week's address. Also on Solana's agenda is the future of the process to upgrade ties between Israel and the European Union.
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
See no evil
Prosecution drops all charges against settler filmed shooting Palestinians in Hebron.
The downside of greed
T.A. court convicts former finance minister Abraham Hirchson of multimillion shekel fraud.
Special Offers
Advertisement
hotel Jerusalem
David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
Dead Sea Skin Care
Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
More Headlines
22:46 Netanyahu updates Obama on policy speech
19:46 'Obama peace push will fail without talking to Hamas'
00:11 What exactly did the U.S., Israel agree on settlement construction?
21:47 Defeated Hezbollah accepts Lebanon election results
15:13 IDF kills four Gaza militants, thwarting apparent kidnap bid
19:49 Prosecution drops indictment against settler filmed shooting Palestinians
20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
21:03 Ex-soccer star Revivo flees Israel due to mob threats on his life
18:37 ANALYSIS / Hezbollah may have lost, but it will still rule Lebanon
11:01 Ex-finance minister Hirchson guilty of multimillion shekel fraud
22:17 Netanyahu prevails as rightist MKs tapped for key judiciary panel
11:49 Live from Iraq: It's Stephen Colbert
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Israel 2009 election results | 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