Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a major policy speech today at Bar-Ilan University in which he discussed his vision of Israel’s foreign relations, and specifically Israel’s dealings with the Palestinians. We’ve included an excerpt from the speech below, and you can read the entire text here.
In addition, the Prime Minister will be interviewed tomorrow on NBC’s Today Show, which airs tomorrow (Monday) morning at 7 AM EDT.
Honored guests,
citizens of Israel.Peace has always been our people’s most ardent desire. Our prophets gave the world the vision of peace, we greet one another with wishes of peace, and our prayers conclude with the word peace.
We are gathered this evening in an institution named for two pioneers of peace, Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, and we share in their vision.
Two and half months ago, I took the oath of office as the Prime Minister of Israel. I pledged to establish a national unity government – and I did. I believed and I still believe that unity was essential for us now more than ever as we face three immense challenges – the Iranian threat, the economic crisis, and the advancement of peace.
You can find the rest of the speech at the website of the Prime Minister’s Office.
UPDATE: You can watch the entire speech with simultaneous English translation on YouTube, thanks to the BBC.
A disingenuous piece of politics where he appeases the hard right (i.e. those keeping him in government) whilst presenting the Palestinians as any blockage to a settlement. Once again Israel changes the rules and moves the goalposts, and one suspects that even if any emergent state agreed to be demilitarised (hardly likely given the heavily armed neighbour) then no doubt a new objection would be found to a police force or similar, pushing it into a dependent and subjugated statehood.
As for settlements. Why is it so hard for Israel to ever except international law that has for many many years ruled these settlements illegal and an obstacle to peace. They are not organic growth nor neighbourhoods but aggressive incursions and land grabs.