Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu affirmed his desire to resume negotiations with Palestinians in order to pursue a peace process that would result in a “demilitarized” Palestinian state, he said in a highly anticipated speech last night at Bar-Ilan University. In many ways, the speech offered the same pro-settlement rhetoric and hard-line stances expected from Netanyahu. However, his recognition of the need for a Palestinian state eases concern from the international community that Netanyahu does not support a two-state solution. Noted journalist Yair Lapid wrote today that the speech effectively signalled the birth of a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu agreed to a halt in new settlement construction but refused to signal an end to “natural growth” construction in the settlements. The United States continuously insists on an end to all forms of settlement activity, including “natural growth.” Defense Miniter and Labor leader Ehud Barak stated that the speech and government policies would lead to progres for peace within two-years.
However, Arab and international leaders, including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, issued calls of concern for the mandate from Netanyahu that the Palestinian Authority and Arab countries recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. Current officials in the Palestinian Authority refuse to reitirate this assertion, instead stating that they have accepted it in the past and do not feel a need to repeat the claim. Similarly, Organization of Islamic Conferences head Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu stated that the group would not establish ties with Israel until it changes policy to begin adhering to the Arab Peace Initiative that mandates a seperation of Jerusalem and the Palestinian right of return.
Palestinian Authority officials immediately condemned the speech as counter-productive to the peace process due to long-standing Netanyahu policies reitirated in the speech, such as the need for a unified Jerusalem controlled by Israel. Some officials stated that it “torpedoed” the peace process while others declared it as a “deadly blow to peace.” Hamas also criticized the speech, declaring it a mere reaffirmation of the government’s “racist, extreme ideology,” an interesting claim from a group whose charter reflects the need to use violence to kill Jews.
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