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Netanyahu with Chilean miners, last week
Photo: Moshe Milner, GPO
Abbas with Chilean president, Saturday
Photo: AP

Chile president urges PM to 'make peace'

Piñera tells Netanyahu 'Palestinians have the right for a free and democratic state. You mustn't miss the opportunity for peace.' Prime minister details Israeli gestures, says 'Palestinians have done all they can to avoid talking to us'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Sunday with Chilean President Sebastián Piñera in his Jerusalem office. Piñera, who met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday, told Netanyahu that "the Palestinians have the right for a free and democratic state. You mustn't miss the opportunity for peace."

 

In joint statements, Piñera said that "Chile has recognized Palestine because just like we always thought Israel has the right to live in a country with permanent borders recognized by the international community in order to develop itself, the Palestinians have the right for a free and democratic country as well."

 

"We have made it clear that the best way for peace is through direct talks. We want the peace agreement to be set in stone, not in sand. I know there are difficult issues, like the borders, refugees and security issues. The security issue is an inseparable part of the development of a long-term peace agreement and my advice to you is – don't miss this opportunity."

 

'Variety of Palestinian excuses'

Netanyahu spoke about the meeting with the Chilean leader. "We discussed the issues in the region, between the Palestinians and Israelis, and the efforts to reach peace. I explained that we are ready to sit down and talk, but the Palestinians, on their part, have come up with a variety of excuses not to do so.

 

"Peace must not be forced from the outside, but must be achieved through direct face-to-face talks. We are ready and hope they will respond on time."

 

The prime minister elaborated on the failed attempts to reach an agreement. "On the first day we called for direct talks. On the second day I delivered the Bar-Ilan speech. On the third day we removed 400 checkpoints and barriers and allowed the economy to grow. On the fourth day we agreed to a 10-month building freeze, and on the fifth day we agreed to extend it by three more months.

 

In spite of all we have done, we have received no response from the Palestinians, who have done all they can to avoid talking. Why? Because peace is hard? It's hard for me too. We must also make concessions, look each other in the eye and say that not all we hoped for is possible. Compromises are required, but I don't see that the Palestinian side is interested in making progress."

 

'World around us is changing'

Addressing the changes in the Arab world, Netanyahu said: "The world around us is changing. There is an earthquake and a sandstorm from Afghanistan to Gibraltar and only one stable country in the middle – Israel. We want to see the Arab world and some of the Islamic countries turn into stable democracies. It's good for peace.

 

"We fear Iran will be immune to international pressure and continue to violate human rights. Iran must be pressured forcefully, as much as possible, and with the same determination used against Libya right now. If Libya and its leader are being monitored for international crimes, there is no reason for Iran not to be, as they are doing the exact same thing. Halting the Iranian nuclear program is necessary for stability in the entire world."

 

Later Sunday, the prime minister added at the start of the cabinet meeting, "Everyone understands that Gaddafi is massacring his own people, but people don't think about what would happen if (Libyan leader Muammar) Gaddafi had not dismantled his nuclear plan.

 

"There is another regime massacring its people, creating terrorism across the world, and that's the ayatollah regime in Iran which is developing nuclear weapons. Just like there is moral clarity regarding the need to act firmly against the Libyan leader, action must be taken against the tyrannical and cruel regime in Iran as well."

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.06.11, 11:48
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