Channels

Barak, 'Move to direct negotiations'
Photo: Reuters

Barak: No threat to Israel's nuke policy

Defense minister warns against erosion in Israel's international standing, but says policy of nuclear ambiguity not at risk

Jerusalem is concerned with the intensive international efforts to clean the Middle East of nuclear weapons, for the first time, without an American veto in the matter. Defense Minister Ehud Barak addressed the issue on Sunday, hinting to Israel's "policy of ambiguity" and said he does not believe there is a real threat on the Jewish state's traditional stance.

 

"We are facing the threat of long-term erosion in Israel's international standing," the defense minister told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee but added that despite this, regarding pressure to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty, "I do not believe there is a real danger or threat to Israel's traditional stance as it has been presented all these years."

 

Commenting on recent tensions between the Israeli government and the Obama administration, Barak, who recently returned from a visit the Washington, said, "The bond between us and the United States is more complex than the eye can see – it is strong and stable."

 

He admitted that US-Israel relations had "reached friction and estrangement, and an end must be put to the friction related to negotiations with the Palestinians."

 

The defense minister said proximity talks, which he fears could prove ineffective, should be cut short, and the parties should move to direct negotiations, with most of the issues already known after 15 years of talks.

 

In addition, Barak called for a far-reaching political initiative in order to bring about progress. He proposed "determining a border within the land of Israel according to security and demographic considerations, with Israel on one side with a sold Jewish majority, and, on the other side, a Palestinian state."

 

He vowed that the settlement blocs would remain a part of Israel, and the refugees would go to the Palestinian state. "The signing of an agreement will put an end to the dispute and an end to the demands. Regarding Jerusalem, we must reach a permanent settlement."

 

Of tensions on the northern front, Barak said, "We do not have to find ourselves in the midst of an escalation this summer, despite the Jordanian king's warnings. No one wants such an escalation – not Syria, and not us. However, we are ready, and vigilant. Israel is strong and deterring. And if they force us, the force of the IDF is with us."

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.10.10, 13:02
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment