Livni in Washington
Photo: AFP
Livni: 2-state solution good for Israel
Israel's opposition leader tells AIPAC two-state solution vital for Jewish State, not anti-Israeli. Only way to avert clash between Israel's Jewishness, democracy is to ensure Jewish majority, she says
Give peace a chance: The two-state solution is good for Israel and is the only way to maintain a state that is both Jewish and democratic, Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni told the AIPAC conference in Washington Monday.
The notion of two states, Israel and Palestine, is not just a slogan or a move that would be beneficial for other parties, such as the US president, Livni said.
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"It is not an anti-Israeli policy – it is vital for Israel’s interests," she said.
The "only way" to avert a clash between Israel's Jewishness and democracy is to maintain a Jewish majority in the country, the opposition leader stressed, urging the government to take action to that effect.
"Inaction is not an option," Livni stressed, adding that when Israel speaks clearly, the world "hears our voice."
"If we won’t shape our future – others will do it for us," she warned.
Taking a jab at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Livni said that the US and Israel must reach agreement through intimate talks, and not through speeches, on the Jewish State's red lines and on what can be done to secure a peace agreement.
Israel's opposition leader conceded that an agreement with the Palestinians appears far-fetched at this time, but called for redefining Israel's national goals and vision before giving up on peace.
Every day that passes without a peace agreement may prompt a situation whereby the only option that remains is one state between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea that is not Jewish, Livni said.
She also noted that peace with Hamas would be impossible to achieve, as the group represents "religious ideology and there is no way to solve religious conflict."
Yitzhak Benhorin contributed to the article
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