Israel-Palestinian relations

PM Netanyahu’s statement at the opening of the special Cabinet meeting held in Beer Sheva:
The Palestinian people who live next to us have the basic right to live in security, peace, and prosperity.


Statements by PM Netanyahu on Israel-Palestinian relations
In his statements, Prime Minister Netanyahu explained that the Jewish state is the key both to Israel’s existence and to peace with its neighbors, and called on the leadership of the Palestinian Authority to meet and promote the peace process with Israel, for the benefit of both peoples.

1. From PM Netanyahu’s statement at the opening of the special Cabinet meeting held in Beer Sheva:
The Palestinian people who live next to us have the basic right to live in security, peace, and prosperity. In recent weeks, we have made many efforts to ease their lives, especially regarding freedom of movement for Palestinians in Judea and Samaria.  We have removed many roadblocks and checkpoints.  Last week, I decided to expand the operating hours of the Allenby Border Terminal in order to facilitate the flow of additional goods and ordered the advancement of a series of projects being led by Minister Shalom in order to promote the Palestinian economy in an effort to advance peace. 
But I would like to make it clear that all of these efforts are unilateral on Israel’s part.  All these efforts can only go so far, and the results will multiply many times if only there is cooperation from the other side. 
Therefore, I call again on the Palestinian leadership in Judea and Samaria, to the leaders of the Palestinian Authority, let us meet.  Let us make peace, diplomatic peace and economic peace.  Let us cooperate on these projects.  We can attract many interested investors who are waiting for the steps we have already started to take.  Therefore, there is no reason not to meet, Abu-Mazen and I, anywhere in the country.  Since we are here in Be’er Sheva, I call on him – let us meet here and begin to advance peace for the benefit of both our peoples.
2. From PM Netanuyahu’s address at the state memorial service for Binjamin Ze’ev Herzl, Jerusalem:
Those words with which I opened my speech „the Jewish state” are the same words which constitute the root of the conflict between us and our neighbors, and I am convinced that they also constitute the key to solving this conflict.
The root of the conflict was and remains the refusal to recognize the Jewish people’s right to a state of its own in any borders whatsoever in the Land of Israel. Therefore, the key to peace lies in the clear, unequivocal Palestinian recognition of Israel as the state of the Jews.
Once a peace agreement is achieved, they must permanently abandon their demand to settle the offspring of refugees within the borders of Israel or gradually undermine the territory of the State of Israel. 
I long for the day when the moderate Palestinian leaders – and ultimately all Palestinian leaders – face their people and make the following clear statement: „we, Palestinians, have had enough of this conflict.  We, Palestinians, recognize the Jewish people’s right to a state of its own in the land, and we will live side by side with you in true peace”. 
Once this is said, and we will not relent in our demand that it be said, once it is said, a window – more than a window, a huge gate – will be opened for peace, because the Palestinian leadership will say to the Palestinian people that it is not only their intention, but that it must be the people’s intention as well.
I am convinced that the road will also be paved for the prosperity and progress which I believe are of limitless potential, just as the President defined it.
Therefore, the Jewish state is the key to our existence and the key to peace with our neighbors.

 

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