(Translated by YWN).Following are portions from a Rosh Hashanah interview with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu conducted by the Yisrael HaYom daily.
WHY DID YOU RECOGNIZE A PALESTINIAN STATE IN YOUR BAR ILAN ADDRESS?
I always stated that we prefer to avoid a Palestinian state that would jeopardize our existence, and I stated in a final status agreement, that recognizes our legitimate right of existence; the Palestinians must take control of their lives, running their own services, with the exception of those areas that are a threat to our security. No one can question my connection to the Land of Israel. I know every hill and mountaintop, all sites in Israel, but we must still come to terms with 1.5 million Palestinians living among us. We must seek a viable solution for a dual-existence with them. It is clear to all they must have self-rule but once again, without a threat to Israel’s security.
SO DO WE DIVIDE THE LAND?
The land is divided – the question remains how the division will be actualized, regarding territory and authority. It is already clear to some that the 1967 boundaries are indefensible and therefore, unrealistic. We must be permitted to defend ourselves, seeking practical solutions.
WHAT ABOUT DIVIDING AREAS ACCORDING TO THE PARTITION BARRIER?
The partition is a security entity, addressing the security realities of the past decade, infiltrations by terrorists and suicide bombers. Today, they fire rockets above the partition and dig tunnels below. Therefore, the partition is not a border, but a security entity.
WILL ISOLATE SETTLEMENTS BE REMOVED?
I am not volunteering to remove any communities. In never expelled a single Jews from any location.
ARE YOU COMMITTING NOT TO EXPEL ANYONE?
I am committing to not volunteering any concessions. Perhaps this makes me different from my predecessors. I don’t volunteer and I am extremely aggressive regarding demands for reciprocation from the other side for every Israeli gesture.
WHY DID YOU INSTRUCT MINISTERS NOT TO ATTEND THE YESHA SUPPORT CONFERENCE?
That was not a conference in support of settlements. No one has to teach me about supporting yishuvim. I too am a supporter and I value their existence. I view their existence as natural, part of our attachment to the land. No one has to teach me or this government about love of the land or yishuvim. I will not turn my back on them. I will not abandon them, and of this there is no question. I think the forum is intended to seek political gain and I feel it is inappropriate for cabinet ministers to attend. I have great respect for those ministers who agreed not to attend. Our political map has always included those willing to make concessions and those who are opposed. It is clear to all that I was always among those who opposed concessions and preserve our national assets to the best of our ability. On the other hand, we must realize there are objective realities concerning a large population.
PERHAPS YOU FIRED PREMATURELY—ACCEPTING A PA STATE, A BUILDING FREEZE AND A MEETING WITH ABU MAZEN IN NYC.
I do not know if there will be a meeting with Abu Mazen or not. I do not request a meeting. In my eyes, what is important is what is being done, not a meeting. I never set down preconditions to a meeting with the Palestinians, or with anyone else for that matter. I do however set forth conditions for a final status agreement. For a successful completion of the process, there must be two components, recognition and security.
WHAT IS YOUR FEELING? ARE THE PALESTINIANS INTERESTED IN MOVING FORWARD?
This will be their test, the need to recognize Israel’s right to exist. They have been permitted to distort what lies at the heart of the dispute, and this has permitted dragging out the process. I am unwilling to partner to this. I was elected following years of following the Israeli-Arab conflict, and I believe one of the more difficult problems is seen in simple historical fact. The settlements and our presence in Yehuda and Shomron is the result of the Arab aggressiveness against us, and the result of this reality has become the ‘reason’ [for the ongoing dispute].
FM LIEBERMAN STATED WE MUST COME TO REALIZE THAT IN THE COMING 16 YEARS THERE WILL NOT BE PEACE. PERHAPS YOU MUST EXPLAIN THERE WILL NOT BE PEACE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
I believe the proper approach is to show the Palestinians and the world the conditions for true lasting peace. If they are willing to adhere to the conditions, the process may be curtailed. It is entirely dependent on them. There is no need to explain our desire for peace. I am unaware of any other nation that yearns for and has taken so many steps towards peace. Look at the governments of Menachem Begin and the steps taken by Yitzchak Rabin with Jordan. Israel exhibited a genuine desire for peace, a sentiment shared by the entire nation. We have yet to see a similar response from the Palestinians. They remain divided, with one faction openly calling for our eradication. On the other hand, there is a moderate leadership that does not view terrorism as a means to achieve goals, but remains unwilling to take the real step of breaking away from the desire to see Israel disappear.
WHY DID YOU RECOGNIZE A PALESTINIAN STATE IN YOUR BAR ILAN ADDRESS?
I always stated that we prefer to avoid a Palestinian state that would jeopardize our existence, and I stated in a final status agreement, that recognizes our legitimate right of existence; the Palestinians must take control of their lives, running their own services, with the exception of those areas that are a threat to our security. No one can question my connection to the Land of Israel. I know every hill and mountaintop, all sites in Israel, but we must still come to terms with 1.5 million Palestinians living among us. We must seek a viable solution for a dual-existence with them. It is clear to all they must have self-rule but once again, without a threat to Israel’s security.
SO DO WE DIVIDE THE LAND?
The land is divided – the question remains how the division will be actualized, regarding territory and authority. It is already clear to some that the 1967 boundaries are indefensible and therefore, unrealistic. We must be permitted to defend ourselves, seeking practical solutions.
WHAT ABOUT DIVIDING AREAS ACCORDING TO THE PARTITION BARRIER?
The partition is a security entity, addressing the security realities of the past decade, infiltrations by terrorists and suicide bombers. Today, they fire rockets above the partition and dig tunnels below. Therefore, the partition is not a border, but a security entity.
WILL ISOLATE SETTLEMENTS BE REMOVED?
I am not volunteering to remove any communities. In never expelled a single Jews from any location.
ARE YOU COMMITTING NOT TO EXPEL ANYONE?
I am committing to not volunteering any concessions. Perhaps this makes me different from my predecessors. I don’t volunteer and I am extremely aggressive regarding demands for reciprocation from the other side for every Israeli gesture.
WHY DID YOU INSTRUCT MINISTERS NOT TO ATTEND THE YESHA SUPPORT CONFERENCE?
That was not a conference in support of settlements. No one has to teach me about supporting yishuvim. I too am a supporter and I value their existence. I view their existence as natural, part of our attachment to the land. No one has to teach me or this government about love of the land or yishuvim. I will not turn my back on them. I will not abandon them, and of this there is no question. I think the forum is intended to seek political gain and I feel it is inappropriate for cabinet ministers to attend. I have great respect for those ministers who agreed not to attend. Our political map has always included those willing to make concessions and those who are opposed. It is clear to all that I was always among those who opposed concessions and preserve our national assets to the best of our ability. On the other hand, we must realize there are objective realities concerning a large population.
PERHAPS YOU FIRED PREMATURELY—ACCEPTING A PA STATE, A BUILDING FREEZE AND A MEETING WITH ABU MAZEN IN NYC.
I do not know if there will be a meeting with Abu Mazen or not. I do not request a meeting. In my eyes, what is important is what is being done, not a meeting. I never set down preconditions to a meeting with the Palestinians, or with anyone else for that matter. I do however set forth conditions for a final status agreement. For a successful completion of the process, there must be two components, recognition and security.
WHAT IS YOUR FEELING? ARE THE PALESTINIANS INTERESTED IN MOVING FORWARD?
This will be their test, the need to recognize Israel’s right to exist. They have been permitted to distort what lies at the heart of the dispute, and this has permitted dragging out the process. I am unwilling to partner to this. I was elected following years of following the Israeli-Arab conflict, and I believe one of the more difficult problems is seen in simple historical fact. The settlements and our presence in Yehuda and Shomron is the result of the Arab aggressiveness against us, and the result of this reality has become the ‘reason’ [for the ongoing dispute].
FM LIEBERMAN STATED WE MUST COME TO REALIZE THAT IN THE COMING 16 YEARS THERE WILL NOT BE PEACE. PERHAPS YOU MUST EXPLAIN THERE WILL NOT BE PEACE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
I believe the proper approach is to show the Palestinians and the world the conditions for true lasting peace. If they are willing to adhere to the conditions, the process may be curtailed. It is entirely dependent on them. There is no need to explain our desire for peace. I am unaware of any other nation that yearns for and has taken so many steps towards peace. Look at the governments of Menachem Begin and the steps taken by Yitzchak Rabin with Jordan. Israel exhibited a genuine desire for peace, a sentiment shared by the entire nation. We have yet to see a similar response from the Palestinians. They remain divided, with one faction openly calling for our eradication. On the other hand, there is a moderate leadership that does not view terrorism as a means to achieve goals, but remains unwilling to take the real step of breaking away from the desire to see Israel disappear.