MK Netanyahu: I will not allow for the division of Jerusalem
Likud chairman says he informed Rice that he would not endorse declaration of principles calling for a return to 1967 borders. 'Israel would be taking a great risk if it currently commits to territorial concessions,' Netanyahu says
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) met with Condoleezza Rice Sunday, and stated that he informed the visiting US secretary of state that he would not endorse a declaration of principles calling for a return to 1967 borders and the division of Jerusalem.
"Security establishment estimates indicate that if we withdraw from the West Bank, Hamas will set up base there. I told the secretary that I do not plan on supporting the transfer of the responsibility for Israel's security to subcontractors," the Likud chairman told reporters following the meeting.
"Time is not on our side because Hamas, under Iran's leadership, is taking control of more and more territories. The situation is very similar to Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon," he said.
"The lesson (from Lebanon) is that when we retreat, rocket attacks ensue. It is not Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that defends Israel, but rather the IDF. I told the secretary of state that there is no alternative to Israeli rule, because Hamas steps in to fill the void. Israel would be taking a great risk if it currently commits to territorial concessions."
'Palestinians have chosen the path of war'
According to Netanyahu, Israel's current policy goal should be the establishment of an "economic peace" with the Palestinians.
"When the Palestinians prove that they are capable of handling security-related issues, then we will be able to move forward," he said.
Earlier on Sunday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak presented a list of Israel's planned gestures toward the Palestinians to Rice and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, including the establishment of a city or several neighborhoods near the West Bank city of Ramallah, which would be financed by a Jordanian businessman.
MK Otniel Schneller (Kadima) responded to the proposal by saying "In addition to the establishment of a Palestinian city, a Jewish city must also be established in the West Bank, as part of the settlement bloc located northeast of Jerusalem."
Rightist lawmakers, for their part, claimed that such gestures would jeopardize Israel's security. "Barak and (Foreign Minister Tzipi) Livni apparently forgot that they are ministers in the Israeli government and not in the Palestinian Authority," MK Uri Ariel (National Union – NRP) said.
"They are getting paid to care for the Jewish people's well-being, not for those who want to destroy (the Jewish nation). The Palestinian people have chosen the path of war and terror," he said.
"We are tired of repeating the simple truth over and over: Don't offer concessions to the terrorists – fight them."
