According to a Foreign Policy Magazine report from Friday, 27 Kislev 5775, former President Shimon Peres and The Movement party leader Tzipi Livni told US Secretary of State John Kerry that if the PA (Palestinian Authority) succeeds in pushing through its resolution in the UN Security Council, it would significantly boost the election campaign of right-wing parties in Israel. The response from right-wing is that “Livni’s crossed a red line”. The report appearing in Foreign Policy cites a European diplomat as the source.

It reports that the two are hoping the US will use its veto authority in the Security Council to block the PA initiative and thereby prevent the boost that would be enjoyed by the right-wing parties ahead of elections.

Livni explained if the PA is successful with its unilateral effort to compel Israel to leave all “occupied areas” by a certain deadline, it will add credibility to statements made by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu pertaining to PA Chairman Abu Mazen and his unwillingness to advance the diplomatic process for he prefers acting unilaterally in defiance of Israel and the US.

Likud campaign officials did not hesitate to reply sternly to the report, adding there is no doubt that the new Labor/Livni ticket headed by Yitzchak Herzog and Tzipi Livni would lead to a withdrawal from all areas of Yehuda and Shomron immediately, and then create a Hamastine in those areas similar to the one that exists in Gaza today. Moshe Ya’alon was among those speaking out harshly against Livni, warning of the dangers of electing her in the elections. They exclaim that Netanyahu is the only Israeli leader who will not submit to the dictates of the international community.

Joining the criticism of Livni was the Bayit Yehudi party. Party leader Naftali Bennett said, “Livni has reached the depths of political subversion. Behind the back of the current government she is orchestrating activities that will harm Israel in order to harm ‘Bibi/Bennett.’ I expect opposition Leader Yitzchak Isaac Herzog, whose I honestly respect to call Livni to order, as of late she has abandoned any hint of statesmanship and is creating an atmosphere of incitement as well as anarchy, which endanger this elections campaign.”

In her response to Channel 10 News on motzei Shabbos, Livni stated she is simply acting to protect the interests of the State of Israel towards preventing the international community from compelling Israel to act on the PA’s unilateral initiative.

The Labor party backed its new partner, Livni, stating she has always opposed unilateral actions by the PA.

Commenting on the Foreign Policy Magazine report, a senior US State Department official said, “Secretary Kerry made clear in private as he has in public that we don’t think any steps should be taken that would interfere with the Israeli election — that’s what he conveyed earlier this week. He continues to discuss with foreign partners the options for advancing the goal we all share of preventing a downward spiral of events on the ground and creating conditions for resumption of negotiations on a two-state solution.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)