Two main challenges. Netanyahu
Photo: AFP
'Support IDF.' Barak
Photo: AFP
PM: Focus efforts on fending off Goldstone threat
During Likud faction meeting, Netanyahu says Israel facing two main challenges: Renewing talks with Palestinians, warding off attempt to deny country its right to defend itself. Defense minister on Gaza war report: We must keep supporting IDF personnel and decision-makers
"We are facing very large challenges. The first is renewing peace talks; they should be renewed without any preconditions," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a Likud faction meeting on Monday.
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"The second is the Goldstone Report. This is an attempt on the international front to deny Israel the right to defend itself. We will need to focus all of our efforts to ward off this threat," said the PM of the UN report claiming Israel and Palestinian gunmen committed war crimes during their conflict last winter.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said regarding negotiations with the Palestinians that "the fact that we have not yet succeeded in overcoming all of the disparities with the Americans and the Palestinians on the way to the launching of talks should not make us lax".
Referring to the Goldstone Report, Barak told a Labor faction meeting, "We must keep supporting IDF personnel and decision-makers."
Shortly before the Knesset's winter session was due to commence, Opposition leader Tzipi Livni told a Kadima faction meeting, "During the last Knesset session we proved that we are an alternative (to the Likud-led government). In the coming session we will advance issues that should be promoted by anyone who has Israel's best interests at heart, such as changing the form of government. "
Amnon Meranda contributed to the report
