PA gov't deepening stalemate, Peretz says
Defense minister says Palestinian unity government must change its basic principles. Addressing Syrian front, he states door must be left open for negotiations, but adds Israel must also prepare for war
Speaking at a Jerusalem ceremony in memory of 572 fallen IDF soldiers whose burial site was unknown, Peretz said that Israel would not recognize a government which did not recognize Israel, was not committed to signed agreements and would not renounce terror.
Peretz during ceremony (Photo: Dudi Vaaknin)
"However, we will continue to speed up talks with the Palestinian Authority and will continue to improve the Palestinian life fabric as a message that we are not at war against the Palestinian people, but against terror.
"We will not give up and will not compromise. We will defend Israeli citizens," the defense minister said.
He added that Israel must pay attention to remarks made by Jordan's King Abdullah, who called on all parties in the region to speed up the efforts to reach peace agreements.
"This is an important call from an ally and a friend," Peretz said. "We must do everything for the axis of moderate countries in the Middle East to defeat the extreme axis led by Iran.
"These are days of hope for a move that will take the Middle East out of this stalemate. Voices are heard from all directions, from enemies and rivals, and from partners and allies.
"From the north we heard the sounds coming from Syria, which calls for peace but also talks about preparing for war. We must examine each move closely, preparing for a possibility of war while leaving the door open for negotiations," the minister said.
Peretz also addressed the issue of the kidnapped soldiers, saying that Israel was working in different ways, including secret ones, to bring them back. "No psychological warfare, such as Mashaal is using, will deter us," he said.
