FM: Unilateral Palestinian moves will have dire consequences

Avigdor Lieberman says Israel will not tolerate one-sided moves by PA, adds there is no more room for goodwill gestures as they are 'taken for granted, seen as sign of weakness'

Ilana Curiel|Published: 09.14.11 , 11:20

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned Wednesday that a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state would have "dire consequences."

Israel has "shown great generosity towards the Palestinians, but it did not bring us peace," he said.

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Speaking at the Second Agricultural Conference in Kibbutz Revivim, in southern Israel, Lieberman stressed that "while there is no room for threats" should the Palestinian Authority's recognition efforts prevail, the move will have "dire consequences."

The reality is harsh, he added, "But we cannot assume sole responsibility for it. None of (Israel's) concessions have resulted in peace. We left Gaza Strip, down to the last millimeter. Do we have peace and quiet?

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"We left Lebanon – do we have peace? Everything has been taken for granted – not as a goodwill gestures but as signs of weakness."

Israel, he added, "Is not divided into peace-seekers and warmongers. I don't know anyone who wants war. The debate is on finding the right path.

The 'bad guy'? Lieberman (Photo: EPA)

"It's been 18 years since the Oslo Accords and we've tried everything… I accept that I'm the 'bad guy' but what have the others done? Barak, in Camp David, agreed to all (Palestinian) demands. What did we get in return? Another intifada and more bloodshed.

"I look at what my predecessors offered… what was the result? The Second Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead, the severing of diplomatic ties with two Muslim countries. Nothing has resulting in peace."

Even id Israel agreed to concessions that would see it return to the 1967 lines, there are no guaranteed peace will follow, Lieberman added.

"Can anyone guarantee that Hamas will not take over Judea and Samaria the way they did in Gaza?"

Lieberman stressed that Israel will not simply abide a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood: "I hope common sense will prevail and we reach a point of modus Vivendi, which will also allow for negotiations."