Lieberman: This generation will not see Middle East peace
Palestinian Authority is incapable of peace – but will not return to violence, says FM, calling for interim deal as substitute for final status agreement.
By Jonathan Lis Tags: Israel news Benjamin Netanyahu Mahmoud Abbas Middle East peace Avigdor LiebermanA peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians will not be achieved in the foreseeable future, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Sunday.
Speaking at a conference of his ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, Lieberman said a complete peace agreement that included an end of the conflict and Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state was unattainable, even with significant concessions and territorial compromise.
Peace was impossible, "not next year and not for the next generation", Lieberman said.
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Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman |
| Photo by: Archive |
His comments came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas prepared for a second face-to-face meeting, after kicking off new U.S.-sponsored peace talks in Washington last week.
"I agree that Abu Mazen is against terror and will not fight Israel, but that is not enough," he said, referring to Abbas by a popular nickname. "Abu Mazen will not sign an agreement with Israel."
"However, there is no reason to be worried," Lieberman added. "I repeat: Abu Mazen will not fight us... The only practical solution is a long term interim agreement, on which we can debate. Our proposal is: No to unilateral concessions, no to continuing the settlement freeze, yes to serious negotiations and mutual gestures of good faith."
Lieberman's comments are at odds with the statements by his collation partner, Netanyahu, in the weekly cabinet meeting earlier Sunday, in which the prime minister reaffirmed his belief that a deal is possible.
"In order to achieve a practical agreement we must think of new solutions to old problems, " said Netanyahu. "I am willing to reach a compromise with or neighbors, while protecting our security interests."
He added: "In the past, Israel has proved itself willing make concessions for peace. However, this time it is crucial to learn from our mistakes and think creatively."
Netanyahu said that he hoped Abbas was also willing to face the upcoming challenges.
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http://www.divineinformation.com/downloads/TorahandSciencePart1.wmv
Perhaps this is what Lieberman has in mind, to prevent a peace deal. But did he take into account the possibility that he will end up in jail for corruption? The Attorney General has his file, and will decide within a few months whether he should be charged (as the police investigators and the State Prosecutor have recommended. As Lenin would have said, give the man some rope so he can hang himself.
"There will be no peace but Abbas will not resort to violence". Does that make any sense? He is basically acknowleding that Abu Mazen is not a violent leaders but that they are unwilling to make peace with ANY Palestinian leader.
Peace, Unity and Harmony will arrive as soon as the small but well-trained shepherd boy with the Moshichs Meal of Five Loaves that accurately catches the TWO BIG FISH (Devil and Messiah) is found. This Redemptive Event could come as early as THIS YEAR IN JERUSALEM. regards from the small boy.
as long as we vote for prople like Lieberman, Ishai and company
He does not want peace, that is perfectly clear. That is where Lieberman and Hamas have the same point of view. Eye opener.
Bibi's Likud+Kadima+Labor has the popular mandate to govern and make sacrifices for peace. The clowns of YB and Shas are hatemongers and must be marginalised as they are a liability. Mark my words - a new coalition is what is in Israel's interests.
I agree with Mr Liebermann, Abbas will not return to war, but if Israel doesn't end the occupation then the question has to be asked, how much longer can Abbas or his successors stay in control? It seems that there is a last small window of hope before the extremists on both sides take over - I just really hope Israel can make the deal now - a just peace - with Abbas before there is no one left to make a deal with.
A peace agreement along the lines of The Geneva Protocals will put a high proportion of current west bank settlers in Israeli territory... in return for land swaps of equivalent size. The principle has long been recognized by negotiators from both sides. It's time for Kadima to join Likud and Labor in a national unity government. Abbas and Salaam Fayyad have done a magnificent job on the west bank. The Palestinian leadership has the will and the means to constrain violence. And most of the Palestinian people, like the Israelis, are ready for peace. Deferring a final peace agreement puts Israel at far more risk from attacks from Lebanese territory. The political leadership of the Arab world wants peace too. It is time to sieze the moment. Kadima must join a national unity government.
If there's one thing I learnt by traveling to Israel is that the Palestinians don't want peace but that's fine because the Israelis don't want to give it to them
If I would always tell him why I cant to my work, he would suggest that we part. Well, this guy is not some plain citizen but the foreign minister. If he refused to do his job, its better for him and Israel that he works in another field where he can contribute something.
Abbas will not a peace agreement because he does not want any compromize and hopes to declare the state unilaterally. Even if he signs a peace agreement, it would be useless because he is not going to fight against Hamas who controls 2 mln in Gaza and who will not recongnize anything.
What kind of spineless lap dog is Benjie Netanyahu? Can one imagine Sec. Clinton speaking openly that, "Nope, Barak, there will be no two-state solution. The Palestininians won't get there autonomous homeland."
Why is this guy in the gov't, exactly?
very sadly... no truer words spoken!
at being frozen out of the negotiations. He's foreign minister, and was left at home like a cocker spaniel. This is his revenge.
Liberman is a realist. The americans will keep sayiing "peace within 12 months" etc...total nonsense. Liberman knows how it is working with the PALS.
In a number of my posts I said. if you are an optimist it might take 100 yrs.If you are a Pessimist it might take 150 years ! Hello! Did Liberman read my posts!? But he only went part of the way. That can be understood,because he has to take into account the different forces at play & his allegiance to his boss & even the members of his party. (At least some of them)
Its very obvious that Muslim countries are moving in a conservative direction. Within a few years Israel's "allies" in the Muslim world may well have nonsecular governments. When that happens, a "peace" will be imposed, and Israeli participation will only be a formality. There is nothing smart about ignoring the obvious, even if it makes you popular. Israel can choose peace terms today, or Palestinians will likely choose them tomorrow.
and call back your diplomats from Turkey !!
both radical retarts
With the likes of Lieberman how could have peace
Would you buy a second hand car from this guy?
The only question is, is he against peace because of his dearly held nationalist ideals? Or just because it would mean he'll have to move back into his own country?
It isn't often when the Foreign Minister violates the pecking order. If Obama demanded a total settlement freeze and Hillary held a press conferance calling for renewed building she would be fired would be fired.
He is not old enough to sign peace agreement with Israel. He still cares about the rest of his life.
lieberman is a obsacle for peace. he himself lives in a settlement
Wouldn't that be great for you settler lieberman. Are we to believe you wanted peace anyway.
And President Obama keeps mum?....
Didn't Bibi use the same words today? Anyway, it is so obvious why Big Libi would state these (wishful) thoughts; and it emphasizes how alike he, Ahmadinejad, Nasrallah and Meshal are: they all will be out of a job once peace breaks out.
What else can one say?
It's this religious extremism on both sides that make peace unattainable. It's the belief that Israel's existence is promised by God. It's creating a "Jewish" state no different from Taliban wanting an "Islamic" state. That's why...
Your ignorance is astounding. What's your educational level? Elementary school? And due to your obvious lack of knowledge, you must be relying on your instincts. And your insticts seem to be anti-semitic. First of all, Israel as a "Jewish" state has an ethnic context - not a religious context. Therefore, comparing "Jewish state" to "Islamic state" is plain wrong. A valid comparison would be a comparison to "Arab state". For your information, there are over 20 officially "Arab" states (with thier own Arab League). Here are some examples of official country names: 1. Arab Republic of Egypt 2. Syrian Arab Republic That is not to mention a score of officially "Islamic" states. Here are some examples: 1. Islamic Republic of Iran 2. Islamic Republic of Pakistan And Palestinians (i.e., Arabs living in what is called Palestine) aspire to have yet another Arab state as a home state of "Palestinian" people. So, in your anti-semitic mind, what's wrong with a single "Jewish" state as a home state of Jewish people?
WHO speaks for Israel ? Did he check with his Prime Minister or President Obama or negociater Mitchell before blithely sounding off? Never mind President Abbas. How about the next generation of Israelis where hopelessness and pessimism is already prevalent ? Is this really what people want to hear and pass on to their children ?
Do you check everything you say with Obama ?
Avigdor finally a sensible solution not only to the Israeli/Palestinian situation but one that all in the ME can finally buy into. Not to mention the entire international community. Well done!!!
Well this certainly is a big help for Prime Minister Binyamin Nethanyahu. His own Foreign Minister discredits the peace efforts which are just their way. It certainly doesn't look like the entire cabinet is on the same page. If this guy were in my cabinet, I would fire him on the spot.
somebody argues against peace, he must be wrong and should read Kant for illumination.Peace.
Both sides should read what Jesus has to say. And with 'sides' I mean all Israeli's and all Palestinians. One may hope for peace as long as one wants, but if the hearts of individual men and women - even children - are full of pride, full of hatred, full of envy, full of 'my rights', full of self... no peace will materialize. The issue here is not Kant or the lack of him. The issue is the denial of each other's right to exist. And on the palestinian side, and in most of the Middle East, this is taught - brainwashed - from Kindergarten onward. Even as Hitler hated us Jews, so do they. And, yes, some of us - over many decades of evidence of their hatred - have not exactly become lovers of them either. Lieberman's message is certainly divisive, as he splits hopeful dreamers from sober realists. But one only needs to look at the facts to know that he is the realist. In the USA one can build a mosque near Ground Zero, and possibly even get a Federal grant for some of the cost. In the Islamic countries you get arrested for talking to someone about the wisdom of considering Jesus. In the West we subsidize Islam educational institutions under our honoring of freedom of thought, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of education. In the Middle East you either conform to sharia or be in big trouble. It is so obvious, one wonders why nobody sees it.
... Clinton, Abdullah, Mubarak and the US press what they want to hear. Another practical leader is in Jerusalem, telling his people what they need to know. There is no "at odds" or contradiction.
And since he managed to make himself Foreign Minister while being grossly under-qualified I am forced to assume that he is not that stupid (despite appearances). It seems far more likely that he felt compelled to do his part to torpedo the peace talks. Conveniently he seems to have forgotten that he represents the Israeli government and shouldn't be sending another message than the prime minister.
Do ya think?
reason , you & Mr Netanyhu are not interested in making it happen , therefor it easy for you to predict the out come of the proccess !
You are incorrect, Mohamed. If a true and lasting peace should become possible, in which the Palestinians would be realistic and willing to make concessions as well as expecting concessions from us, if your textbooks, television progrfams, day camps and mosques would cease being used as propaganda tools, if you would stand with us to create a better life for all - you would be amazed at what a partner you would find in us. Be honest, Mohamed, are you and your brothers ready for that?
Its like no fighting but no peace yet and we are commited to nonviolence. Great less death and murders
i mean, c'mon. subtlety is an art form, man!
for whoever is thumbing me down, get real. the PA isn't capable of peace because they have no authority with the actual, uh, PALESTINIANS. abbas' term ran out years ago. he's a puppet of america right now, nothing more. and of course israel couldn't care less about peace, so long as their idiotic settlers continue to hold a big chunk of the government (including our dear resident moron, lieberman himself).
id rather have a leader who at least thought peace was possible, and if he thought it wasn't possible would be willing to work very hard to make conditions more conducive to making it possible this is a negative FM whose negativity and fear, neatly and potently wrapped up as "realism" and all shas-esque leaders like him will keep the perpetual conflict in motion, like he said...for generations, (otherwise what job will he have, he'll have to go back to being a doorman)
Once Palestine becomes the State Of Palestine, there will be work enough for the Israeli Foreign Minister to keep him busy for a long, long time. He won't have time to make speeches. It might even happen during Mr. Lieberman's tenure.
When it comes to religion, the left is quite adept at demanding fact-based analysis and evidence. When it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, blind faith in the unseen and disproven is the norm. Lieberman is the epitome of rationality and inductive reasoning. The peace camp epitomizes fantasy and selective reasoning.
In time of war, every nation, including Israel, epitomizes selective reasoning. But it takes imagination to make peace. After all, the present is but the prologue to the future. No imagination, no change; no change, constant war. All hail the status quo! Return with your shield or on it, etc But it does sounds like the FM is on the right track. Peace is possible. Here's to Abu Mazen and Bibi. It is not easy to undo 62 years of traditional belligenence. May the world follow them as they struggle to make peace!
would lead one to disagree with any one word of this absolutely accurate assessment of the current political reality. What are we making peace with? What has any concession brought us in the past, other than more pressure for concessions. We owe the Arabs nothing, and will never receive anything from them that will benefit our future.
You have presented your post,with accuracy and real vision knowing what Israel has been through these passed 62+ years.AND HERE COMES A MAN WHO TELLS YOU,AND, ME THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH. Avigdor Lieberman thank you.
This guy and his ultra-nationalist party is actually more guilty of continuing the conflict, even though it is the Palestinians who have used violence. In particular the settlements in the west bank are the issue. Israel should give the west bank - most of it, to the Palestinians for their homeland. And tell the creeps of this Israeli party they can go there, and make their own deal with the Palestinians, good riddance. And the other catastrophe was Israel moving its capital to Jerusalem. Sticking it in the eye of the Palestinians. The israeli right wing is every bit as guilty as the palestinians of the problem. And they ought to understand that their words help to foment violence. The maniac hitler apparently killed only two people, a niece, reason unknown and himself. His words killed 55 million . Don't you understand that lieberman? On a small scale your words carry guilt also.
I fully agree with you Lib. for the first time!
No fancy words and emptyness but STRAIGHT AS A DIE AND NO NONSENSE AND WHY I LIKE HIM UNLIKE THE PUSSYFOOTING OF THE OTHERS IN THE CABINET LIKE BARAK,EVEN BB,BUT ISN'T IT WHY BB PICKED HIM.Gee he just tells the truth,anyone with half a brain would understand that there is no QUICK FIX ON THIS ISSUE. If it hasn't been for 62+years should be a GOOD EXAMPLE for anyone to accept once and for all. Havong read a few posts i will now have my DRINK in CONGRATULATION TO AVIGDOR LIEBERMAN THE OUTSPOKEN MAN
you are only talking about Israeli Jews.The endless continuation of war > will eventually end at your doorstep > the total destruction of beautiful Israel. Learn from History or lose it all. (See the land of Desolation where once the arrogant and heartless lived, … even the dead shun this place). If you wholeheartedly want peace, then maybe there is a small chance, ... but I think not, thanks to people like you. Shalom Shalom
"We will continue to build illegal settlements on occupied land, and we will not withdraw from the West Bank." So what the hell is the point of these "peace" negotiations?
Does this guy own stocks in the weapons manufacturing industry? Clearly there will no peace til he is removed from elected office. The ultra-right in any country is always hypocritical.
Lieberman is really worried and that is a good sign for the peace negotiations. If he can't support the process, it is time for him, and Erekat, to just shut up and let Bibi quietly make a deal with Abbas. Lieberman will just have to deal with it when an agreement is signed.
Israel gains land by avoiding peace and loses land by making peace. This is not a difficult decision to make. Even goyim would make the same choice. As long as this condition persists there will be no peace.
most good people ( and most are) would make the easy decision to let the Palestinians have their own land. You lose land and an enemy and gain a friend ! It's always the greedy & evil politicians and bankers who create abominable situations. Shalom and Peace.
As long as Natallie put's in her 2 cents worth, there will never be peace.
When I say this headline in an American newspaper, I thought it refered to the American rejectionist, Senator Joseph Lieberman. My first thought was, "Let's hope he's wrong as usual." I was happy to see that it was Avigdor Lieberman being forced by the winds of political change to say things that appear sane and moderate, even if he must preface them with rejectionist jargon. Peace may truly have a chance. It is beginning to feel more and more that the place is here, the time is now and there is no later.
What is this man thinking? There is no better Israeli gesture of good faith that to extend the freeze....even for another year. Such pessimism and cynicism would never have allowed the Jewish State to come into existence in 1948. Some would call his words realistic......I call them defeatist.
i agree no peace possible with any Israeli government even if the future Israeli prime minister name become Mohammad or Jamal .... , it is well known fact to the Palestinians after they hear such comments from Lieberman and others that Palestine state can be achieved the same way Israel state was achieved ,
thats what i would like to know
However maybe just maybe somewhere out there ,there is another Palestinian leader other than Abbas ,one that is invested with this power of authorization someone who has the ability to give and take and once and for all help create a Palestinian state and peacefully end one of the intractable conflict in the Middle East . Sadly Abbas has no authourity to make that dessions. He does not have the balls to tell Iran ,Hezbollah Hamas and Syria to go to hell this is his and the Palestinians movie. So what do we have now in the USA " A Charade" another grand illusion is to be assured, forged to look real. Henry Kissinger one coined the phrase “constructive ambiguity,” meaning to give negotiations an appearance of progress and that is exactly what he is doing . For God sake Abbas so many settlements can become part of Palestine . To save face Abbas has decided that the settlements building gives him the right and excuse to walk away from the talks" So so sad. __________
What does the right wing want ? To kick the Palestinians out, slowly? To incorporate them in the state of Israel, unlikely. To keep a cold war with the Arab countries ? Don't you think the best solution is to separate from Palestine, all the other alternatives are unacceptable to one side or the other. Where is Lieberman headed with his arguments ? Please some Zionist explain to me Lieberman because I don't understand him ?
so, it's impossible because of Palestinian intransigence (does he know something we don't?), or because he won't (doesn't want to) even try? Which makes him a coward.And he is blaming others for his cowardness. What a politician we have here!