Vice Premier Moshe Ya’alon who also serves in the outgoing government as Minister of Strategic Affairs spoke out on Shabbos against the establishment of a Palestinian state. Ya’alon, a likely candidate for defense minister in the next government, told participants in a live panel discussion that he remains opposed to the creation of such a state.

Espousing his opinion, one that is far to the right of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Ya’alon explained “I don’t care what they call it. They can call it an empire”, stating PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Hamas share the same ideology and goals.

“When I began voting Likud I was still in uniform. I was head of military intelligence. I have obtained an extensive understanding of the Oslo Agreement” confirming that in the next coalition he would like to serve as defense minister but to date, the position hasn’t been promised to him by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Ya’alon subsequently became an IDF chief of staff and following his term, he retired and entered the political arena.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)