Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon has indicated Israel will accept the two-state solution that was the flagship policy of the previous administration. The deputy minister’s remarks mark the first senior Netanyahu administration official who indicated the two-state solution supported by the international community is acceptable to this administration as well. Ayalon made his remarks in an interview with the Bloomberg news agency.

Ayalon explained his remarks do not represent a watershed since the current administration has always stated it will honor past agreements, which compels an adherence to the Roadmap Plan and other agreements. “We will not however agree to jump to the last paragraph. The Palestinians will be compelled to adhere to their responsibilities as well, the disarming of terror organizations”.

Ayalon on Monday travels to Brussels for meetings with senior European Union representatives. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is already in Europe, meeting with a number of senior officials in Italy, Berlin, Prague and Paris.

Prior to leaving on his first official state visits as foreign minister, Lieberman stated he will explain “he prefers less ceremonies and signings and more work towards formulating concrete plans”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)