Yesh Atid leader Finance Minister Yair Lapid was interviewed by Charlie Rose of Bloomberg. He explained that from his perspective, Yerushalayim must never be divided but he does believe the two-state solution, the establishment of Palestine, is the only way to preserve Israel as a Jewish state.

Lapid believes the recipe for success in ongoing talks with the PA (Palestinian Authority) is to keep expectations low, and this includes eliminating Israel’s demand that the PA (Palestinian Authority) recognize the sovereign State of Israel.

Speaking with Rose on 4 Cheshvan 5774, Lapid explained “My father didn’t come to Haifa from the Budapest ghetto in order to get recognition from PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). The whole concept, to me, of the State of Israel is that we recognize ourselves, that after 2,000 years of being dependent on other people, we are now independent and we make our own rules.”

He explained the problem in the talks is “we want different things”, detailing that while the PA seeks peace and justice, Israel seeks peace and security. This conflict he says confidently will continue forever.

And finally, Lapid feels we must separate ourselves from the PA, explaining “I am not looking for a marriage. I am seeking a divorce”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)