News
Netanyahu rejects Palestinian state as gateway to Islamist attacks on Israel
On the final day of campaigning, Likud leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he would not approve the establishment of a Palestinian state, as it would leave Israel exposed to Islamist terror attacks.
Speaking to the NRG news website, Netanyahu said, “I think that anyone who moves to establish a Palestinian state and evacuate territory gives territory away to radical Islamist attacks against Israel.” He added, “The left has buried its head in the sand time and after time and ignores this, but we are realistic and understand.” Asked if this meant that a Palestinian state would not be established if he is re-elected, Netanyahu answered “indeed.”
Netanyahu acknowledged that his statement appeared in conflict with his Bar Ilan speech in 2009, in which for the first time Netanyahu expressed support for a demilitarized Palestinian state under the right circumstances. He said yesterday, “This [Bar Ilan] speech was given before the Arab storm – the so-called Arab spring – which has overwhelmed the Middle East bringing with it radical Islam. Any territory which would be handed over would be taken over by radical Islamists.”
A number of Israeli commentators suggested that Netanyahu’s comments represented a last-minute attempt to woo voters who are considering voting for Jewish Home, which has portrayed Netanyahu’s Likud as placating Palestinian ambitions.
Also yesterday, Netanyahu visited Har Homa, a Jewish neighbourhood in Jerusalem, beyond the pre-1967 borders. Netanyahu warned that if the Zionist Union, headed by Isaac Herzog is elected, “Hamastan B will be established here,” with Hamas having used its control of Gaza to launch numerous attacks against Israel. By contrast, Netanyahu pledged “We will preserve Jerusalem’s unity in all its parts.”
Herzog responded in an interview with i24News, saying that he would “safeguard” Jerusalem in “actions, not just words.” On the question of a Palestinian state, Herzog commented “It’s important to have a Palestinian state in order to have a Jewish majority for many generations.”