Clinton: Israel, Palestinians cannot divorce
Former US president says Israel, Palestinians have no choice but to accept one another as neighbors
(Washington) Former US President Bill Clinton said on Monday that despite Hamas' rise to power in the Palestinian Authority, Israel and the Palestinians cannot isolate themselves from one another.
He said the two peoples share a small land which they have to divide into two states since expulsion is not an option, he said in Washington during a conference organized by the United Jewish Communities.
Speaking of the security fence, Clinton said the dividing barrier creates a situation where Israelis and Palestinians live in two separated compartments of the same house.
He added that although most Palestinians strive for peace, their suffering serves the interest of extremist groups.
The former president said he is convinced the Palestinians would have accepted a peace deal with Israel brokered by his administration in 2000, had Arafat put the deal for a referendum.
Working together
Clinton said the intifada led Israel to focus more on preserving its security rather than on formulating a plan for peace with the Palestinians.
Clinton revoked a conversation with former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu during which he warned that Israel and the Palestinians would face attacks by "the enemies of peace" were they to sign a final peace agreement.
He added that Hamas and Hizbullah should be forced to decide whether they want to remain terror organizations or become full political parties.
And for those Israeli who have lost faith in the Palestinians, Clinton recalled that in 1998 was the only year in Israel's history when not a single Israeli was killed in a terror attack – an achievement he attributes to security cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian security forces.
