BICOM

Speaking at yesterday’s annual International Institute for Counter Terrorism conference in Herzliya, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Finance Minister Yair Lapid both called for a new diplomatic initiative to capitalise on regional developments.

Livni, who heads the Hatnuah Party and was Israel’s chief negotiator in recent peace talks, argued for renewed negotiations with the Palestinian Authority (PA). She said, “It would be a mistake … to let the cruel terror in this region work against all rational thinking that obligates us to initiate and find a solution to the national conflict between us and the Palestinians.” Livni said there is a clear distinction between the “deep religious ideology” of Hamas and the nationalist aspirations of the PA, which she said is accepting of the “other.”

Meanwhile, Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid the second largest coalition party, called for a wider diplomatic initiative. He said, “New coalitions based on shared interests are forming around us, and we must take advantage of them” by separating from the Palestinians and establishing relations with the wider Arab world. Lapid explained that “rapid change” in the region means that “Egypt has interests that are similar to ours, the moderate Arab states are scared of the rise of extremist Islam.”

However, Economy Minister and Jewish Home head Naftali Bennett also spoke and accused the left of “living in the 90s.” He criticised “the regular refrain that a Palestinian state will solve all the problems,” arguing it would do nothing to stop the likes of ISIS, Hamas and Hezbollah. Bennett also warned that a Palestinian state in the West Bank would threaten Israel’s international airport, posing a significant economic risk.

Likud’s Communications Minister Gilad Erdan spoke in similar terms, saying, “to continue to talk about Palestinian nationalism with the same determination and confidence as 10 or 15 years ago is not responsible.” In a veiled reference to Livni and Lapid, he added, “I know that not all my colleagues in the government are willing to look at reality as it is.”