BICOM

Israel’s Labour Party yesterday outlined its diplomatic and security plans, following criticism from opponents that the party had been ambiguous on such issues.

Although party leader Shelly Yachimovich emphasised that social and economic issues must be “at the fore,” of the party’s campaign, senior Labour figures released two documents outlining the party’s diplomatic and security positions at a press conference yesterday. Yachimovich called for an immediate renewal of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, saying “Our point of view is clear: two states for two nations according to the Clinton parameters, while safekeeping the settlement bloc’s future.”

Referring to the guidelines discussed at the Camp David talks in 2000, Yachimovich said that under her leadership the party would advocate keeping major West Bank settlement blocs under Israeli control, in addition to Jewish neighbourhoods of Jerusalem, while special arrangements would be made for the governance of the Old City. The party is also opposed to the return of Palestinian refugees to Israel and opposes unilateral moves that sidestep the peace process.  Yachimovich said that the Palestinians “recognising Israel as a Jewish and democratic state must be an inevitable result of these talks,” and added that the only alternative to peace talks is “a bi-national state, an option that endangers the character of a Jewish and democratic state.”

Senior party MK Issac Herzog commented, “Netanyahu says he wants two states for two nations, but he hasn’t done anything about it.” Meanwhile, senior Labour parliamentarian and former-defence minister, Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said that Israel must look to strengthen relations with Egypt, Turkey and North African and Gulf states. However, he emphasised that all options must remain on the table in tackling Iran’s nuclear programme.