In his recent high-level meetings in Washington and New York City, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman remains firm in his position that so-called settlements, yishuvim throughout Yehuda and Shomron, are not stumbling blocks to peace as has become the mantra of the PA (Palestinian Authority) and the international community.
Lieberman blames the PA for using the settlements as an excuse to prevent moving ahead despite ongoing peace gestures from Israel.
In his meetings, Lieberman pointed out that during the 19 years preceding the June 1967 Six Day War, during which Yehuda and Shomron were liberated, “there was terror and bloodshed” the foreign minister explained, before any settlements existed. He added that implementing the 2005 Disengagement Plan, the government removed 24 Jewish communities, handing all of Gaza over to the Hamas government, receiving Kassam rockets in return.
“Each side has its point of view. What is important is to begin talks without preconditions” Lieberman added.
During his meeting last week with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Lieberman remained firm in his opposition to America’s calls to halt all construction in all settlements.
In his comments released over the weekend, Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya’alon concurred with his colleague, Lieberman, stating the settlements are not the reason for the ongoing conflict and Arab terror.
As an aside, FM Lieberman is a resident in one of the ‘stumbling blocks’, living in a Gush Etzion community.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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3 Responses
Settlements – The bone of contention
The international world contends that Middle East peace is being hijacked by continuous building and growth of settlements. Is this true? During the years of 1948-1967 when Arabs refused to negotiate peace with Israel it was forbidden for Jews to live on the West Bank. Subsequently, three difficult wars were waged between the Arab Nations and Israel before even one stone was lifted to build a settlement. A justification for constant turmoil in the Middle East must be found and settlements are the bone of contention.
Every newspaper is covering President Obama latest demand stating “that a freeze on settlements including natural growth is part of Israel’s obligations.” A zero-tolerance policy of construction will halt the natural growth of every settlement causing harsh conditions & lack of housing while outlawing building of shuls, schools, medical clinics and stores. With the population explosion of families living in these area the dire need for additional housing is imperative. President Bush’s prior agreement with Israel to allow expansion of communities within large settlement blocs is being denied, abolished and buried.
KEEP IN MIND THAT TEL AVIV IS A SETTLEMENT IN THE EYES OF THE ARABS……..
Why must you use such an ugly picture of Lieberman in this article? It looks almost as though you are trying to promote a different agenda
But Lieberman isn’t objecting, the Palestinians are. Your headline would be similar to saying “Hamas says that terrorist attacks aren’t an obstacle”.
In any event, most of the Palestinians have made clear that unless settlements such as Tel Aviv and Netanya are dismantled, and Israel returns to the pre-1914 borders, they won’t consider the matter settled.