Peretz: Talks only if PA gov’t recognizes Israel

Defense minister says ‘responsible Palestinian government that will abide by regulations set by the international community, rid itself of terrorism could be a partner for negotiations’

Hanan Greenberg|Last update: 09.12.06 , 22:32

Defense Minister Amir Peretz was not ecstatic about the Palestinians intention to establish a National Unity Government. “It is important to point out that no serious discussions could be held with a Palestinian government that does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, which supports terrorism and opposes agreements that are signed between us,” the defense minister clarified Tuesday evening during a memorial ceremony for the fallen soldiers of the Givati Brigade.

“A responsible Palestinian government which will abide by the regulations set by the international community and will rid itself of terrorism could be a partner for negotiations to end the conflict for the good of both peoples living on this land. The release of Gilad Shalit can bring about the creation of a responsible Palestinian government. It could change the atmosphere and could speed up the procedures for significant Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.”

'We are ready for any scenario'

On Monday, a little while after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that a unity government would be created in a matter of hours, the Hamas government insisted they will not recognize Israel’s right to exist.

The main goal in the establishment of a unity government between Hamas and Fatah is so that the international ban on the PA, which was imposed on it following Hamas’ victory in the elections, would be lifted. Hamas Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said: “Hamas will keep applying the same political approach. We will never recognize the occupation as legitimate.” But he did not elaborate.

The defense minister also dealt with the war in the north and noted that he hopes that no leader from the region will be tempted to start another war. “We are ready for any scenario on every front,” he insisted. “Every war, aside from the tragedy in it, opens a door for new opportunities. We are very eager to make peace with our Palestinian neighbors and we have no will to rule over their fate.”

'We have changed strategic face of Lebanon'

“The war on Hizbullah has not yet ended,” he added. “IDF soldiers are still in Lebanon, among them are the warriors of the Givati Brigade. These are fighters who kept on giving and sacrificing for the ongoing struggle for Israel’s security. The war on Hizbullah was forced on us; we faced various military challenges, fortifications built by Hizbullah with Iran and Syria’s assistance. The war on Hizbullah exposed us to failures as well as successes. We will investigate every event, every act, we will not hide anything, we have to be ready for every challenge at any moment… this is our obligation.”

Peretz pointed out that “we have changed the strategic face of Lebanon. We have hit Hizbullah hard and we have pushed it from our borders. We brought about the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south for the first time in many years, and the deployment of an extensive international force in the region. We have also greatly limited Hizbullah’s capabilities, but our mission is not over. We were left with an open wound of the kidnapping of our soldiers and we will not rest until we will ensure their safe return home.”