MK (Labor) Amir Peretz was one of the many guest speakers at the annual Herzliya Conference. He used the forum to address the diplomatic process between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority), which he feels ultimately will lead to an agreement and regional peace.

He promises that everything possible will be done to remove isolated yishuvim and only settlement blocs will remain in such an agreement. “We will do our best to protect residents because they are Israeli citizens living there as a result of democratic decisions and to stand with them against boycott. That said, I hope they will know how to respect the democratic process and when the government decides to remove them they will respect that decision”.

He added that even the most successful military operation must be concluded with a diplomatic agreement as was the case following the Second Lebanon War, referring to UN Resolution 1701 that resulted in the ceasefire.

Peretz did not mention he was a disgraced defense minister during that war and he and then IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz were compelled to resign in light of their failures.

Peretz also stated “We will do our utmost to support efforts to reach agreement to halt Iran’s nuclear program and to stop a boycott of Israel by the international community. However, it is all about striving for social and political peace and we will continue to challenge the coalition”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)