BICOM

Speaking yesterday to Israeli ambassadors posted abroad at the Israel Foreign Ministry’s annual conference, President Shimon Peres said that Israel should reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians “without delay.”

He said “There is a clear majority among the people in favour of the principle of two states for two peoples,” and that the alternative of “A bi-national state endangers Zionism, Judaism and [the] democracy of Israel.”

Commenting on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Peres said, “I have known Abu Mazen [Abbas] for 30 years, and not every one of his words or actions do we uncritically support.” However, Peres added, “He is the only Arab leader to publicly stand up and say that he is for peace and against terror.”

Following Peres’ comments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by saying that he will continue to have regular consultations with the President. However, a statement on behalf of the joint Likud-Yisrael Beitenu electoral list headed by Netanyahu said, “It’s very unfortunate that the President chose to express a personal political view that is detached from public opinion when it comes to Abbas, who refuses to make peace.”

Labour Party head Shelly Yachimovich condemned criticism of Peres as “intolerable” and praised the president “for thwarting attacks on Israel and is its best ambassador.” Tzipi Livni, head of Hatnuah struck a similar tone, saying “President Peres behaved responsibly and said the truth…This is how someone who thinks Israel is important should behave,” while Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid said “The only solution is a two-state solution” and accused Likud of trying to use Peres “as a tool at election time.”