Livni: Negotiations do not give terrorists immunity

In Knesset meeting deliberating vote of no confidence in government, foreign minister states that terror is no reason to terminate peace talks, but such negotiations do not offer immunity to terror groups

Amnon Meranda|Published: 03.17.08 , 17:18

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni stated Monday during a Knesset meeting deliberating a motion of no confidence in the government submitted by theYisrael Beiteinu Party that “terror attacks are no reason to terminate peace talks with the Palestinians, but such negotiations will not provide immunity to the terror groups responsible.”

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Livni: Halting negotiations will serve Hamas

Amnon Meranda

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Livni: Halting negotiations will serve Hamas

Addressing the current lull in Gaza, the foreign minister stated that Israel can not delude itself because of a few days of relative calm. Even during this seeming lull, militant groups are arming themselves with the help of Iran, noted Livini.

The foreign minister promised that “Israel will combat terror, whatever its source,” but that “negotiations with the Palestinians will continue at full force.” Livini is expected to meet chief Palestinian negotiator, Ahmed Qureia, Monday evening.

Livni stated that “she hopes that the Palestinians will not use the actions taken by Israel to combat terrorism as an excuse to evade peace talks”. “The fact that Israel continues to negotiate does not mean it will cease its fight against terror,” stated Livni. “We must continue to act on both fronts.”

“Israel will continue to negotiate with more the pragmatic parties among the Palestinians,” said Livni. “Such negotiations do no give anyone sanction to carry out terror attacks against Israel, not do they mean that Israel will stop waging its fight against terror. Conversely, terrorism is no excuse to cease negotiations. “

Hamas at fault for Gaza situation’

The foreign minister also noted during the Knesset meeting that “Gaza is currently being ruled by a terrorist infrastructure, which is even now utilizing the relative lull in order to rearm and regroup. Weapons are finding their way from Iran to Egypt, and then directly to Gaza… The Hamas is entirely responsible for terror attacks stemming from Gaza,” noted Livni.

United States Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, criticized Israel as well as the Palestinians in comments made the past weekend, and stated that both sides are not doing enough to honor commitments made as part of the Road Map agreement. “Not nearly enough has been done to indicate that Israel and the Palestinians appreciate the gravity of the situation.”

Rice noted that this, in turn, makes it difficult for the US to aid both sides and help put an end to the longstanding conflict in the region. “It is difficult to disguise the fact that both sides have a long way to go in order to improve relations between them…the current situation is fairly bleak.”