PM to Livni: Paper doesn't protect from rockets
Prime minister, opposition leader exchange words at Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting. Livni accuses Netanyahu of causing 'decline in Israel's standing around the world'. Netanyahu retorts asking what Livni gave up on in talks with Palestinians
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Tzipi Livni faced off on Tuesday during a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting.
Netanyahu told Livni that he won last year's general election, and she in response said, "If it came down to what the public elected, political integrity would have compelled you to act the day after on what you sold the public before elections.
"Your reliance on public opinion polls in the United States attests to your blindness if you do not see the serious decline in Israel's standing around the world, partly as a result of your policies, and the lack of trust you have built. You must understand that this waste of time is not contributing to the State of Israel's existence as a Jewish state."
She urged him to make a decision: "You must understand what decision is needed. When you say there are all kinds of options, you should know where you want to go and then lead. You talk so much about the tango that you seem to be dealing more with dancing that with the consequences.
"Pick up negotiations, I suggest, from the point where (former Palestinian prime minister) Ahmed Qurei and I left off, and this does not included Olmert's declarations. The talks addressed all the principle security concerns, which were covered in talks by the defense minister (Ehud Barak) who is also your defense minister…"
Tuesday's meeting. Knesset speaker between PM, Livni (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
In response Netanyahu referred to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which secured the end of the Second Lebanon War, which took place during Livni's tenure as foreign minister. "I understand that for you a piece of paper is enough to ensure that rockets will not fall on Israel," he said.
Addressing her comments on resuming peace talks, he said, "Is Israel obliged by the concessions that you and Olmert made? Tell me, what did you give up on… Israel can't keep being asked to enter talks with demands, which the Palestinians consider to be final… East time you were on the brink of a deal… you never got to an agreement."
'Iran moving faster than international community'
In the same session, the prime minister also addressed the Iranian threat. "There are a number of clocks – Iran's technological clock, which is advancing in the arms race, and the international community's clock against this race," he said.
He added, "The Iranian train is traveling fast compared to progress made by the international community, which is more like a beaten-down car… Nonetheless, there is significant progress in the international community's understanding when it comes to the nature of the nuclear program."
The prime minister also addressed the issue of sanctions, just hours after US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said it could be months before new sanctions are imposed on the Islamic Republic in the UN. "There is political progress in the direction of international sanctions, but in the meantime, this is not effective. Without sanctions – it will not be effective."
Netanyahu also commented on China, which has shown reluctance in allowing for harsher sanctions against Iran. "China has an interest in boosting cooperation with Israel, and there is a broad spectrum of issues that are a joint interest of Israel and China. China is part of our efforts against Iran."
Speaking of the Israeli delegation to China he said, "The goal was to brief the Chinese on the nature of the Iranian program. They did not make any commitments to us, but after the visit they have a better understanding as to the program's nature. I don't thing they will vote in favor of sanctions, but they may not use their veto right.
"There was a report on this in China's largest newspaper, but these are not compelling statements, and I cannot predict how China will act. What is certain is that we have opened a dialogue, which the Chinese are interested in as well. We plan to depend it, this is an important country, the Chinese want to cooperate with us in technology, agriculture, water, solar energy, and they have expressed interested in the Eilat-Ashdod railway."
Regarding Russia, Netanyahu said, "I did not receive any guarantee that Russia would join on the sanctions, but I did see more understanding of the danger the Iranian nuclear program poses on the stability in the region and world peace."
