BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and government ministers underscored their commitment towards a negotiated two-state solution yesterday after Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett suggested that it is unachievable.

Speaking at a conference of the Yesha settlers’ council in Jerusalem, Bennett said “The idea that a Palestinian state will be formed in the land of Israel has come to a dead end.” He added, “We need to move on from trying to persuade that a Palestinian state isn’t appropriate to behaving like this idea is behind us.” Although his views on the issue are well-known this was the first time that Bennett had expressed them emphatically as a government minister.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu distanced himself from Bennett’s comments, reiterating his support for the peace process and a two-state solution. Speaking to Reuters, he said “Foreign policy is shaped by the prime minister and my view is clear… I will seek a negotiated settlement where you’d have a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state.” Netanyahu has repeatedly called for Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas to begin talks immediately without pre-conditions. Abbas insists that Israel must first freeze all settlement construction, agree to 1967 borders plus swaps and release pre-Oslo prisoners.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who also heads Israel’s efforts to re-start negotiations with the PA, told her Hatnuah faction yesterday, “keeping Israel a Jewish and democratic state, we need a diplomatic process and a peace agreement.” Yesh Atid released a statement in support of the two-state solution while the party’s Science, Technology and Space Minister Ya’acov Peri said that Bennett’s comments were harmful. Channel Ten reported that Yesh Atid leader and Finance Minister Yair Lapid will take a more active role in promoting peace talks once the state budget has been approved by the Knesset, with a first reading passed yesterday.