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Tzipi Livni and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

In NY meet, Livni urges Abbas to talk to US

Opposition head Tzipi Livni calls on Palestinian leader not to shun Trump administration and to resume peace talks based on two-state solution 'even if you have feelings of anger.'

Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni urged Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday evening to prevent a security disaster and to give hope for a better future rather than dwelling on the failures of past negotiations by renewing talks with the US.

 

 

The two met in New York where world leaders have gathered for an annual meeting of the UN General Assembly.

 

According to a statement sent by Livni’s office, she urged Abbas to throw his weight behind efforts to find a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict “before Gaza officially turns into Hamastan.”

 

Tzipi Livni and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
Tzipi Livni and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

 

She also told the aging Palestinian leader that he should return to discussions with the US before the two-state solution completely disappears and is rendered unfeasible.

 

“The situation in Gaza is stuck and it can only make progress with the return of the PA to Gaza and not through giving legitimacy to a fanatical and violent terror organization like Hamas,” Livni said in reference to Israel’s indirect negotiations with the Gaza-ruling group to quell the unrest on the border.

 

“Seclusion, unilateral moves against Israel, and the breaking of the tools will be a cry for generations to come,” she warned.

 

“This can lead to a deterioration on the ground, the loss of control and the loss of the two-state solution.”

 

The severity of the current climate, Livni told Abbas, demands that everyone “search for ways to restore calm, without dwelling on anger and insults.”

 

Violence in Gaza (Photo: AP)
Violence in Gaza (Photo: AP)

 

Livni, who heads the Hatnuah party, also implored Abbas to engage in discussions with the US on the two-state solution—“a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside Israel, not because of (the US’s) punishments and the budgetary reductions but in spite of them, even if you have feelings of anger and you don’t agree with the conditions.”

 

The Israeli opposition and the majority of the Israeli public, Livni claimed in her discussions with Abbas, advocate in principle the creation of a Palestinian state based on the two-state solution but oppose all unilateral steps taken by the Palestinians against Israel in international forums.

 

“Giving money to families of terrorists and activities in the International Criminal Court are unacceptable and cause a loss of faith and only strengthen extremists,” Livni said, listing her grievances with some strategies to delegitimize Israel which have been employed by the PA and its payment scheme to families of terrorists.

 

After the meeting, Livni said that “security officials are warning that we are at a boiling point in Gaza and Judea and Samaria and it is my obligation to do everything in my ability, with my experience and connections, to contribute to finding a solution to crisis in Gaza, to act against Hamas and to give a chance to the American plan.”

 

 (Photo: AFP)
(Photo: AFP)

 

Livni lamented the fact attempts so far by the Israeli government, the Americans and the Egyptians had yet to yield results.

 

“Instead of mutual accusations that serve only domestic politics, we must act. The stagnation serves extremists,” she continued.

 

“My policy is in accordance with the position of the security establishment. Alliances with the moderates who are against the extremists. Instead of talking to Hamas, speak to the legitimate PA. (Abbas) cooperates with Israel on the security level, and he is preferable to the extremists of Hamas and other terror groups,” said Livni, who headed the last round of negotiations with the Palestinians during the Obama administration.

 

“The choice in the Middle East is between terrible options and Abbas is the least terrible option despite the criticism I have about him,” Livni added.

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.26.18, 13:56
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