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Knesset speaker: Bibi doesn't believe in 2-state vision
Rivlin urges Netanyahu to be honest with Obama, says Israel has right to build in West Bank
Efrat Weiss
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
does not believe in the two-state vision, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said Tuesday, days ahead of Bibi's much anticipated speech.
Speaking during a West Bank tour, Rivlin said that the Arab-Israeli conflict must be resolved before going ahead and addressing the Palestinian question.
"The prime minister should only say what he believes in, and tell the Americans, as they asked, the truth," Rivlin said. "I think that when the prime minister talks about an agreement, he truly wants to secure an agreement. But I'm not sure that the PM believes in two states for two peoples."
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"The PM must ensure that we hold talks and negotiations, in order to finally put an end to a conflict that brings great sorrow," he said. "At the same time, Netanyahu remembers that the conflict is first and foremost an Israeli-Arab conflict, with the Palestinian problem emerging as result of it."
"After we resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict and are certain that everything can work out and that Arab states recognize us and our existence, we can look at how to co-exist with Land of Israel Arabs without jeopardizing the Land of Israel's existence."
In his meeting with settlers during the tour, Rivlin said Israel
has the right to build homes in the West Bank, while rejecting the "natural growth" argument.
"I think the term 'natural growth' is apologetic, rather than a principled stance," he said. "We live in these areas based on belief in the righteousness of our way and also because we view these areas as a security belt for the State of Israel."
A local resident, Tamar, asked Rivlin to serve as the residents' ambassador and work on their behalf.
"This entire neighborhood, which is referred to as an outpost by some, is part of the community. I did not rob anyone and did not steal even one millimeter of land," she said.
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