According to former ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Yuval Diskin ending the Israeli Palestinian conflict has far more existential ramifications for Israel than Iran’s nuclear program. Diskin made his remarks during a conference marking the 10th anniversary of the Geneva Initiative, one of the many failed efforts to hammer out a peace agreement with the PA (Palestinian Authority).

Diskin feels it is essential to know Israel’s boundaries and he fears the point of no return may be crossed. Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office accuse Diskin of being removed from current realties. Diskin feels Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is not handling the talks with the PA as he should.

Diskin warns the atmosphere has become so hostile that the slightest spark will set off a regional explosion. Diskin condemned the prime minister’s release of terrorists from prison at the start of renewed talks, which he explains was to avoid a building freeze throughout Yehuda and Shomron. He accuses Netanyahu of taking the easy way out, releasing murderers to permit continued building in yishuvim. Diskin opposes the release of terrorists under duress or outside pressures.

“The number of settlements continues to grow so that no administration will be able to remove them in an orderly fashion and this government lacks the ability and desire to bring a halt to this” he added.

Speaking with Israel Radio on Thursday afternoon 2 Teves 5774, retired Mossad Director Danny Yatom, also affiliated with the political left-wing disagreed with Diskin, stating that while he does not discard the need to reach agreement with the PA, the Iranian threat remains far more serious than peace-making efforts with the PA.

Diskin’s remarks came a few hours prior to the landing of US Secretary of State John Kerry, who met with the prime minister in Yerushalayim on Thursday, 2 Teves 5774.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)