Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon explains that he prefers a European or academic boycott to rocket attacks against Israeli cities from Yehuda and Shomron.

“Their (the PA) intention is to get everything they want and to continue the conflict. It will not end with the pre-1967 lines. We do not have to address a solution from the get go but the way to achieve this. If the alternative is a boycott by Europe or rocket fire from Yehuda and Shomron, then I prefer the boycott” Ya’alon told participants in the Kalkalist Economic Conference on Monday 27 Teves 5774.

He explained that if they continue educating the children of Shechem and Jenin as they do today, admiring terrorists and terrorism, and that the Jews have no rightful claim to the land, then any progress in negotiations is meaningless. Ya’alon stressed that he too wants peace, and he explained that this yearning from peace may confuse some of us. He feels too many people are concerned with resolving the problem without actually addressing the issues. He added that then come the outsiders who feel the Israeli PA (Palestinian Authority) conflict is the source of the regional instability but in actuality, the conflict and instability did not begin in 1967 and it will not end with withdrawing to the borders that existed before that date.

The senior minister then addressed Western efforts to bring democracy to the region, but this has failed.

“The same idea that folks from the west bring democratic elections has failed. We have seen this in Gaza with Hamas and in other areas…” He spoke of the need of a solution involving people that share a common interest against a common enemy.

Regarding the situation along the northern border and recent katyusha rocket attacks, Ya’alon is pleased that Israel did not permit Sunnis who oppose Hizbullah to drag Israel into the conflict.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)