by Mati Tuchfeld and Shlomo Cesana
In speech at Bar-Ilan University, Yair Lapid calls for a peace plan based on the Saudi initiative • Likud MK Tzachi Hanegbi: Lapid's words show his "diplomatic ignorance," disguise a vision that includes a de facto return to the 1967 borders.
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid:
Israel's security must remain in the hands of the IDF
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Photo credit: Yossi Zeliger  |
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid drew fire from
both the Likud party and the Zionist Union after giving a speech at
Bar-Ilan University on Sunday in which he presented his ideas for a
peace plan with the Palestinians.
Lapid said the key to a solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a regional initiative based on the
existing Saudi peace plan, and stressed that while he did not agree with
every aspect of the proposal, he could accept it as a base from which
to work toward a regional peace agreement.
Lapid attacked Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu for the "Iranian failure," saying that in waging his battle
against Iran, Netanyahu had undermined Israel-U.S. relations for the
sake of his own political interests, and had struck a harsh blow to
Israel's security.
According to Lapid, his plan would include two
security principles, the first of which is not allowing the
Palestinians to turn any territory into a base for terrorist activity
and rocket fire on Israel.
"We have to preserve the current security
coordination, which allows us to act in the West Bank to prevent
terrorism against Israel," Lapid said.
He said the second principle is not leaving Israel's security in the hands of others.
"[Security] must remain in the hands of the
IDF, and only the IDF. The IDF has the ability, the technology, and the
work plans that will give the citizens of Israel security, and we'll
keep our ability to launch them at any given time," he said.
Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee
Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud) attacked Lapid, saying, "MK Lapid's
'vision' exposes his diplomatic ignorance and his lack of basic
understanding about foreign affairs and security.
"[Lapid] can learn from the prime minister
what a firm stance is. If anyone had any doubt, Yair Lapid is on the
Left and the innovative vision he is offering the State of Israel is the
out-of-date Arab initiative. Beneath the explosive words Lapid chose to
use hides a vision that includes, among other things, ceding the Golan
Heights to Syria; giving back territory in the Jordan Valley [and]
Maaleh Adumim, and a de facto return to the 1967 borders.
"Either Lapid hasn't read the Arab initiative,
or in honor of the Days of Awe has chosen to tell the public the truth
and admit that he is strongly on the Left."
Zionist Union MK Hilik Bar also took aim at
Lapid, saying, "He might have good intentions, but his peace plan is
shallow and general, not specific, doesn't answer the question at the
heart of the conflict, and doesn't provide any solution to the real
challenges Israel is facing.
"Lapid isn't giving [us] any solutions and his
guidelines are shallow and slogan-like, whereas Israel needs a true
diplomatic working plan -- complete and detailed -- not general,
unfeasible statements."
Mati Tuchfeld and Shlomo Cesana
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=28409
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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