Negotiations without illusions by Avigdor Liberman
Published on: July 20, 2013By Avigdor Liberman
It is important to handle negotiations, and even more importantly, that negotiations should be handled on the basis of reality and not illusions.
I have said many times that the Israel-Palestinian conflict can not be resolved, at least not in the coming years, and what is possible and important is to manage the conflict.
The position of Yisrael Beytenu regarding the basic principles of negotiation are clear: Do not agree that negotiations will be conducted on the basis of the pre-1967 lines (which Abba Eban called the Auschwitz borders) and it is important to clarify in advance, at the beginning of the negotiations, that there will be no settlement freeze. Not in Jerusalem or in any communities in Judea and Samaria. Other than that, Yisrael Beytenu will closely follow the negotiations and determine its position according to developments.
Given that we will not agree to a freeze and to avoid surprises and and misunderstandings during later stages, we should inform in advance the American mediators and the Palestinians of the situation and the units that will be built already in the pipeline for construction.
To avoid disappointments and unwanted results, it is vital to specify in advance what can and what can not be achieved. The maximum that can be achieved is a long-term interim arrangement based on security and economic cooperation, with the major policy decisions, borders and Jerusalem, postponed until much later. Cooperation in security and the economy is in the interest of both parties, first and foremost of the Palestinians.
Regional conditions do not allow the isolation of the conflict in the Middle East. Given the inability of the Arab League to bring peace even within its member states, it is absurd to hang hopes on their agreement and think that this has any practical significance.
It is important to address issues concerning Abu Mazen. Mahmoud Abbas does not represent the people of Gaza or Judea and Samaria and it is not clear his government has any legitimacy as elections meant to be held in the Palestinian Authority more than 3 years ago were repeatedly postponed. As with the Arab League, here too there is an absurd attitude of the Western world to an unelected ruler. Beyond these facts, it is also clear that Abbas is unable to sign an end to the conflict and give up the on the “right of return”.
Therefore,we must go into negotiations with eyes open and with no illusions.