The annual Herzliya Conference was held this week, from Tuesday to Thursday, 26-28 Sivan. Each year the Herzliya Conference brings together senior personalities from Israel and abroad in the fields of government, security, business, and academia, to discuss the national, regional, and global issues on the agenda.

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman addressed the conference on Thursday morning 28 Sivan, opting to direct his attention to efforts to renew diplomatic talks with the PA (Palestinian Authority). The crux of his message was clear, that there would be no preconditions and Israel will not agree to the return “of a single refugee to the pre-1967 borders”. He added that unlike former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, this administration is not going to make generous proposals to entice the PA back to the negotiating table.

To the surprise of some, he explained that ending the conflict with the PA will not solve the regional issues but further complicate them. He emphasizes the need for Israel to reach agreements with moderate Sunni Muslim nations prior to signing agreements with the PA.

Turning his attention to Knesset, Lieberman explains that following the Six Day War Arabs did not leave; and the simple reason is that life is better for them here, despite much justifiable criticism. He added that there are Arab MKs and the Arab List, expressing concerns as he explained they do not wish to join Meretz because even Meretz is a Zionist party and this does not sit well with the Arab legislatures. This he feels is p[problematic as is the fact an Arab MK refused to attend the funeral of the late Shimon Peres.

Regarding Gaza, he feels it remains an internal Palestinian issue which Israel should not involve itself in; adding the solution to the Gaza problem will not be forthcoming any time in the near future.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)