"Only a Palestinian state established through a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians will be a state that will keep all the principals that are important to Israel," opposition chairwoman Tzipi Livni told “IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal) today. She slammed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, "Netanyahu does not represent Israel as a Jewish and democratic state."
Livni added, "We achieved security and economic interests that suited Israel's needs - and all that has been lost." Referring to the Palestinian efforts for the UN General Assembly to declare an independent Palestinian state in September, she said, "Such a declaration is less good for us in every way."
"Even if we were to now begin direct negotiations, because of Netanyahu, our opening position would be less good in every aspect. Netanyahu is now begging for negotiations. He knows that they could prevent a unilateral declaration of independence by the UN.
"Israel's situation is deteriorating. Netanyahu is busy making speeches, rather than with substance - and that is how Israel looks. The responsibility for Israel's integrity and security fall on the government, and Netanyahu does not know what to do."
Asked what she would do if she were prime minister, Livni replied, "I'd continue negotiations from the point where we ended them. I would protect Israel's security interests. Netanyahu makes speeches, but he does not want to act - neither on the security plane nor on the social plane."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 14, 2011
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011