Netanyahu: We can reach a peace that will last for generations
Israel and the Palestinians can secure an enduring peace agreement in Washington - not just a tactical lull in hostilities, prime minister says.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Israel news Middle East peace Benjamin NetanyahuAs he prepared to fly to Washington to renew peace talks with the Palestinians, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel had the chance to secure a stable peace that could endure for generations.
"I am convinced that if the Palestinian leadership takes the negotiations as seriously as we do, we can reach a stable agreement - not just a deal for a tactical ceasefire between wars," Netanyahu told ministers at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
 |
Benjamin Netanyahu speaking during the weekly cabinet meeting at his Jerusalem office, July 25, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
"We can reach a peace based on stability for us and for our children and that is my goal," he said.
But ahead of Netanyahu's trip to the United States, where U.S. President Barack Obama will formally preside over the reopening of talks on Wednesday, Palestinians still doubt the prime minister's commitment to peace.
Netanyahu has so far refused to address Palestinian demands to continue a 10-month freeze on the building of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, due to expire on September 26.
Immediately before Sunday's cabinet session, Netanyahu dismissed a proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor, under which construction would restart only in major settlement blocks near the Green Line, expected to become part of Israel under an eventual deal.
"Meridor's comments represent his personal position and not that of the government," Army Radio quoted Netanyahu as saying.
The Palestinians have repeatedly threatened to walk out of talks if building continues and, in the absence of Israeli guarantees, remain cagey on what format the negotiations should take.
On Saturday chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat rejected Netanyahu's proposal to hold a face-to-face meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas every two weeks.
It was too early to determine times, dates and participants in meetings between the sides and the main issue was still the freeze, Erekat said.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
i dont understand why many blame it only on the israeli side like Syria,Egypt and Jordan havent screwed palestinians enough.I see a hidden lust for the dictation of palestinians again,you know Egypt coming closer to israel the last days,syria and lebannon the opposite-on the verge of war.
Well done on both sides. Meet first and then discuss your topics: freeze or antifreeze, biweekly or daily or... Good luck and, please, find a sustainable agreement! You can make it happen! My support assured.
Peace can only come with negotiation.
1.Lasting Peace, Unity and Harmony is indeed possible. 2.But only if, and only if, the small boy with the Moshiachs Meal of Five Loaves and Two Fish is found on time. 3.Five Loaves allows direct negotiations with God Himself, the only one who can fix the ME Crisis.
It's simple, they know as well as anyone the object of the settlement game. “Everybody has to move; run and grab as many hilltops as they can to enlarge the settlements, because everything we take now will stay ours. Everything we don't grab will go to them.” - Ariel Sharon
.. and that goes for the left as well as for the right/religious.
Netanyahu is actually beginning to convince me that he is serious about what he says. I don't believe anything he says, but this really feels different. Is he fooling me again ?
In that day they will cry ' Peace! Peace!' but there will be no peace. And when they say 'Peace' , suddenly destruction ! The negotiation of peace can be a useful means of destroying ones enemies.
They want to buy time, time enough to get Arms and Training to launch a massive attack on Israel soil to lift up their manhood status throught the Arab world.
This is what he said based on Israel National News. This does not call for Genocide. Get your facts straight. “our enemies and haters may come to an end, Abu Mazen and all these villains – may the Holy One, Blessed Be He, afflict them with the plague... these evil enemies of Israel.”
Germ warfare was introduced by the British in the French and Indian War. Blankets with smallpox were given to the unsuspecting Indians. Don't pretend that there is a difference in how an enemy is removed. Killing is killing. Blessed be Army radio {and Fox News}.
We hear this all the time. When the mobster forces out a rival gang it doesn't make it right or accepted. More people in America would rather watch a "pant's on the ground" video than a power point argument supporting the validity of that truism.
Anyone who saw the clay animation movie chicken run can see that the chickens in this movie are the Palestinians and the owner of the yard as Netanyahu. Any nation who has brains and honour would reject Netanyahu, to ALL costs. I repeat, to ALL costs.
I never trust this man. This is a good question, let me hear some answers.... What would Israel do after peace with the Palestinians?
He may have an IQ of 180, but he's definitely not going to override the biblical prophecies that are remaining; namely, the Rapture, the Russian-Iranian/Arab attack from the North ,etc.
all peoples want to live in peace until it comes time to let the other fellow enjoy a life of peace as well........you get what you want only when you care enough to give it as well...............
Everyone knows that this round of negotiations has no chance of success. Netanyahu wants to stall while he creates facts on the ground, Abbas wants to show how reasonable he is in the run up to UDI and Obama has to appear to be doing something to justify the Noble Prize. The fact is that none of them are prepared to do what is necessary to achieve peace. Peace will only come when it is imposed from the outside using International Law.
Al though I really wish there will be real peace soon I know there will be none. Palestinians are rigidly occupied/consumed with hatred and misinformation for more then 50 years by their own regime and the media. They are not able to see the opportunities in front.
Remember you can never occupy the people if they do not want to be. Occupation doesn't solve political problems. Palestinians have to recogonize that violence won't lead to their independance. In our modern world, arabs are left behind industrially and they use all 'western' technology for whatever growth they are having. Israel, with it's small size has done admirably well but somehow they are struck with their old dogma of 'peace' through occupation. We need statesmen like Sadat and Begin with active US involvement to move forward. Where is the new palestinian and israelis generation who can help create more conducive environment for ultimate peace? Media in US is often biased towards israel's point of view. We americans (who can't even place Florida on the US map) leave our media and Jewish lobby to set agenda re. this major international issue. There are hardly palestinian writer's view we see in news media. maybe a single country with both Jewish and Palestinian population is the best solution. But we're not there yet.
Has Bibi changed in the last 20 years. No, he's still mendacious.
Al
If we can only get rid of the Palestinians.
No israel, No Palestine. One State Solution is the best for all. One Man, One Vote, Equality for all inhabitants. Equal Pay for Equal Work, Equal Water Rights. No Apartheid, No Segregation...A Very True Secular Democrac Let us call it: “State of Holy Land”.
Thats why they dont have to care about the negotiations
I am convinced that if the Palestinian leadership takes the negotiations as seriously as we do
Israel is not a Muslim nation, so peace will be only arranged through God, not people. The Muslim nations will listen to God right?
Every place on earth that has been trod by a Jewish foot they see as a potential expansion of a "Jewish homeland". It may be the same old schtick, but it is a schtick that has worked for them. Settlements in NYC and Boca Raton, Florida? Don't rule them out. They are already there, albeit unofficially.
...This is a recording.
the consummate politician. I voted for him and will do so each and every time I get the chance. Bibi, like Sharon both understood that you have to approach peace like a warrior, not a dove. This is the sad reality we face here. Let's hope that Abbas, unlike Arafat, understands he is ruining the the dream of the common Palestinian - to be able to provide for his or her family. They are weary of war too. There will be much work ahead, especially with the educational system in the PA - but I for one am ready to extend my hand in peace. It's what Israeli's want most.
Heard it all before meeester notandyahu.
Weren't interested in direct peace talks until the US pushed them, not interested in weekly meetings, etc, and lets not forget another Palestinian portion that elected Hamas that wants a greater Palestine and genocide the jews.
They have never shown any genuine interest bar making damands which are never going to be acceptale to Israel because the said demands EQUALS to israel's surrender.hasn't hanybody seen jheard,read exactly what the Palestinians want? THEY WANT ALL OF THE LAND and make no mistake about it.Whether it is Hamas(that we know and dscard them )being a TERROR entity,but Abbas is no better.I mean you read it here how Haniyah PULLS Abbas'a STRINGS anyway.Hamas has never deviated in his wish by saying it our loud : THAT ALL OF ISRAEL IS THEIRS. Fed up with the repetitiveness on this subject. I hope BB does not accept any deals or else the Israeli population will most certainly get rid of him PRONTO.Even than what politicians say one day,cbange the next . Not only Israel but it is a world phenomenon of EVERY POLITICIAN.That is why I hope BB does not mean what he said as we all know it is hardly a REALISTIC.I wish him the very best without acting like PUSSY CAT miaooing to BHO.
Let's not assume that everyone negotiating means the same thing by "peace". Peace according to Israel would essentially mean Palestinians impotent and still essentially occupied, and the land that has been continually confiscated from them over 62 years in Israel's hands, in exchange for a pocket or two of desert. I'm not surprised they're not excited about going to Washington to sign away their fate under the pressure of a 1-year time frame.
stop the racism ,bulldozing,evictions,land grabs,occupation,and blockcade we can have peace
It won't be enough for the non-state tribal arabs. They'll want the very life blood of each and every jew -- until then they will NOT be at peace. How do we know? Recall their past behaviour, observe their current behaviour. Patterns of behaviour have to be conscientiously and consciously reprogrammed. The nonstate tribal arabs occupying gaza, judea and samaria are not capable of exercising conscientious, conscious behaviour. Hatred blinds their minds to the point where they see only "red" for blood.
why not go back further. not just to 1967.. how about going back to Solomon's time. Now that is an Isreal border that would insure safety.. goodby Jordan et al.
You have a good point ussatire. Let the new borders connect all the proven locations where shards of pottery prove ancient Israelite habitation. That evidence, combined with written records of the time corroborated by the records of the adjoining kingdoms, determine the final green line. It is just too bad for the Christians that Jesus never claimed any territory. The US would have it by now and there would be no more disputes.
and the scribes and pharisee didn't exagerate and of the truth about the wise king...lots of assumptions and nmot much truth is jewish myth....story has been torn apart, and we know you pharise so yu see...not to exagerate...the only true borders you got is partition 1947...live with it
I doubt that Netanyahu is really an honest peace seeker, he only wants to continue with the occupation under a different name. This is my main doubt.
is better for both sides,the ME and The world.The economic peace tried in the WB is working.Make it and the whole world will support you. Hamas is an other case,but lifting the Gaza blockade is right.
"The Jordan Valley and the territories that dominate it shall be under Israeli sovereignty." - Likud Election Platform 2009 Only recently did Netanyahu repeat this fantasy. Right here the Palestinians lose some 15-20% of the West Bank, while the Clinton parameters considered a 5-6% loss, of which about half should be returned in the form of Israeli territory. To this Barak agreed in Taba (2001) while Olmert seems to have agreed to a 1:1 territorial exchage less than 2 years ago. Netanyahu will be laughed out of the peace process with such a map. The laugh will be even louder because this thinking is so outdated. The Jordan Valley was viewed by Israel as protection against Iraqi tanks, but Saddam is dead, Iraq has no tanks, and the IAF can put an end to an Iraqi invasion force. The US freed Israel of the Saddam worry at immense cost, but Likud refuses to consider this as real.
My curiosity overruneth. In exchange for what.
The Arabs say kill Abbas the traitor. The Jews say another moronic idea in the foot steps of Sharon, the man who proclaimed, 'leaving Gaza will help Israel's international standing'. And now, these obviously forced and insincere statements about how we should forget 2,000 years of world treachery. The world is on a lower and more deceptive level than ever, there is not absolutely nothing to gain by giving in to this fraudulent crisis know as the 'Palestinian problem'.
There was no 'Palestinian problem' but jewish probelm befor the existance of israel.
he intends to abide by international law and respect human rights ?
As much as the Arabs abide by International Law and respect for human rights. In a nutshell, we all know that they don't abide in any way, shape, or form.
"As much as the Arabs abide by International Law and respect for human rights." Yes, it's all the Arabs fault isn't it? When it's not the Arabs fault then it's 'they started it first'. There is only one country in the region that is openly racist to the extent that it's racism is enshrined in the law. That country is called Israel. Shame on the lot of you, you are one hundred times worse than those you claim are inferior.
this is the main question. as far we can see I would say NO. what is seen is that Fatah wants to maintain its power over the palestinian people, continue their corrupted regime, where few take adavantage. They are not interested in peace, because peace with Israel means no need of Tanzim, Al Aqsa Brigade and other terror groups, actually quite for strategical reasons. Also peace with Israel means that many of the population wold look to see what will be done for better economy and their own lives. That means, the leadership will have to work for economical growth based on the own economy and not of money coming in from the world. PEACE MAKES NO SENSE FOR PALIS
A resounding NO..If Abbas et al want peace they have to give andnot ask the impossible.Therefore, let Abbas dismantle his Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade who's boss he is.Not to mention the other factions like the Tanzim etc.Ooops I did not see that you have already mantioned the fires sorry.You see great minds think alike.As for the dependance on the monies they receive from outside that has been happening from time immemorial i.e the begging and dependance on it.Time has come for them to GROW up and begin to look after themselves in all fields and no more asking that Israel should take the role OF MOTHERING THEM.That is it.
"Time has come for them to GROW up and begin to look after themselves". I wonder if you realise the implications of statements like that, Ross. Apart from being completely silly and naïve, it is in fact unadulterated racism. Israel receives a fair amount of money from outside, doesn't she?
as soon as you decide to withdraw from ALL of the occupied territories; OR as soon as we (The US taxpayers) stop financing this illegal and inhumane occupation.
And the Iran tax dollars goes to Hamas, Hezbollah and turkey's like you for complaining. Israel gives the U.S. plenty of money.
I get the feel that Netanyahu's words " ... last generations" lack permanency. Netanyahu's first speech after taking office, outlined his vision for peace in the region ... an economic autonomy for the Palestinians and normalization of relations with all Arab states ... nothing more, nothing less. Netanyahu has openly rejected the Saudi plan endorsed by the Arab league which requires Israel to withdraw to the pre 1967 lines. What Netanyahu may propose is a Palestinian state (east Jerusalem not included), no army, demilitarized state with only economical autonomy ... defense and borders (air, sea and land) controlled by Israel, no rights of return or compensation to the Palestinian refugees. Nothing will ever come out of these discussions ... waste of time and money if you ask me.
Who is asking you? I will never do!! Your opinion is always one-sided and biased...
Alex well said.You put him nm his place as it should.The usual biased and hatefulness permeating fromhis likes the Israeli bashers...
My opinion is based on facts not fantasy ... my question " If you ask me" was directed at non Zionists readers ... and i have my doubts if you fit fit in that category ...
you offer like PM Barak did -and then give whats left of Israel which is nothing
...how about Israel takes the areas offered to Palestinians and the Palestinians will make do with the "nothing" that Barak kept for Israel?
I am least worried about your drivel about imaginary final solutions and a lot more worried about 3 murdered Jewish Iranians in California, today. The cold genocide of Jewish nation has began and you are still living in a lala land of some sort of solving troubles of nations.
I'd love to think Bibi was serious about peace but it seems extremely unlikely judging by his actions and words. After all he can't even bring himself to discuss a plan for the meetings or suggest even vaguely what Israeli peace proposals might look like. It seems much more likely that what Bibi is doing is attempting to restore some of Israel's lost international credibilty. For a long, long time Palestinian terrorism allowed Israel to get away with the 'we have no partner for peace' scenario. In this, the international comunity focused solely on Palestinian terrorism and ignored entirelty the ongoing occupation, settlement land grab, and discrimination against Pals and Israeli Arabs. However, Abbas's succesful removal of terrorism from the West Bank has destroyed that Israeli strategy. Instead, increasingly the world ha sbegun to think that it is the Pals who have 'no partner for peace' in Israel. This has focused world attention firmly on occupations, settlements, discrimination and land grabs. The peace talks are Bibi's attempt to reverse the situation again. He's hoping that somehow he can trick the world into thinking it is the Pals who are holding up peace. All he's got to do is keep come up with offers that look generous, but are essentially empty and liable to be refused by the Pals. He has made a good start with the temporrary, partial settlement freeze and with the offer of direct talks. His offer of talks every two weeks is more of the same. Expect plenty more empty offers like that to come, but obviously no substantial, meaningful offers.
If israel really want peace, who i do not believe, they have to find another person than Bibi. Who can trust ever this racist? He is a fake and he is cooperating with Lieberman, another false snake, racist and scum of the earth, what kind of person would do that? Israel have more honest people than Bibi and Lieberman, pls send them instead! Israel
Of course, look what it took just to get them to come and talk. And they take the world for fools ??
How on earth you want the Palestinians to have talks with a Government that is stealing their land day and night. Palestinians have been talking for almost two decades and in vain. What have the palestinians gained from such a prolonged talks with the Israeli governments? more occupation, more land stolen , more settlers , and ofcourse less freedom,Netanyahu wants talks to buy time . He wants to show the world that he wants peace while on the other hand he is swallowing the palestinian land and freedom.
I am not belivin' in any peacetalk !!!
Lets hope so...
Since it takes two to tango.The Pals will have to bend and not ask.Rights goes both ways. Abbas et al will have to BEND REALLY LOW,FOR THEY HAVE BEEN TOO ACCUSTOMED TO receiving largessess from outside and corruption makes not for good governance.Time the Pals decide to stand on their feet.
please tell this to your israeli corrupt leaders first.
And we should believe Abbas, Erekat, and the other offshoots of Arch-terrorist Arafat. Arafat's clones have snookered you and everyone else.
It's another sad propaganda attempt. I doubt it will ever happen. Palestinians will continue to suffer under zionism and its extremist hostility.
Palestinians will continue to suffer under their inept, corrupt leadership. Secretly, they all wish to live in Israel and get the benefits Israel offers.
And why the overwhelming majority of the Israeli Arabs (Israeli Palestinians?) would rather live in Israel than any other country and are fearful of a land swap that would put the it towns under Palestinian control. This speaks volumes.
No wonder
Guess Natanyaho doesn't read the scriptures. Will he come back like that silly little man , Chamberlain, and announce ' peace for our time'? Has he forgotten about Hamas? Is he ignoring the fact that Palestinians have been nursed for at least two generations on a steady diet of hate and revenge? Is he willing to divide Israel and surrender E. Jerusalem for a false assurrance of peace? That will set Isralis against him. Does Natanyahu hear himself talking? He is as delusional as Olmert .
However,themost important factor is politicians offer the heavens but give nothing in return.That is my understanding and HIOPEFULNESS.I hope BB has it on the agenda.As far as I am concerned one of the most important aspect is that Jerusalem WILL NEVER BE DIVIDED. Secondly no adherance to the demand by the enemy of the RoR or furthering of treating them as KIDS.They should have learned by now to stop depending on outside help AND HELP THEMSELVES as grown men do. Did not the early pioneers get any help when they came to the Holy Land in the 1800 and achieved to turn the desert into a viable palce and without help,by working like slaves without moaning as do the Pals.I have no more to say...wait awhile if BB deviates from his stance and gives in the Israeli public will get rid of him without a doubt..Patience my friend.
I DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE SAYS,WHAT COUNTS IS WHAT HE DOES.
Who is he trying to kid? probably himself.
....when he says peqaces he means dominance and military supremacy, when he means regions, he means a united Israel, and when he means generations he means a political term or when his ratings fall.
And notice: a state without an army is no state.
Costa Rica has no army and is a viable state.
Isn't part of the US so to speak. It's not the 51st state, they don't vote for a president and don't have a representative in congress. Get your facts correct before posting.
Indeed, it constitutionally abolished its army permanently in 1949, but they did it out of their own right and we call those states banana republics because they are owned by the United Fruit company that owns private armed groups for targetted killings etc without much discipline. I would prefer the discipline of Hamas. Face reality, Israel desperately needs strong partners.
This is all amusing , but I have not heard or seen the PM preparing the Israeli public to possible outcomes. Namely here is what we would like and here is what the other guys are asking for. The resolution is somewhere between these two divergent positions. There is no rose garden.
u.s. position most baffling.
If Netanyahu is genuine, and understands the need for real Israeli compromise, and not just Palestinian acceptance of a number of things they will struggle to accept, then good luck to him and the Palestinians. Hopefully the talks will be relatively transparent, in that I believe that is likely to help the process in allowing the the world to champion the fairest deal possibler for both sides, no doubt in the face of their respective extremes.
The only three things he has ever done, mention the possibility of two states, partial freeze and direct talks, were all done under enormous pressure from Washington, and all three of them are all potentially temporary and totally meaningless. Place against that the fact that he's a long term Likudnki and the Likud charter is committed to eradicating Palestine, that his foreign minister is Lieberman and that he has Shas in his cabinet who are led by a 'spiritual' leader who seems to be calling for genocide against the Palestinians. I would be absolutely amazed if Bibi shows he really wants peace. Delighted, but absolutely amazed.
Do what you can do
ask what you can do for Bibi and for Israel.