In response to questions why he decided to return to the Likud Party under the leadership of Binyamin Netanyahu, Dr. Binyamin Begin stated “Bibi has matured and I have grown older. We have put our differences behind us.”

As was reported HERE by YWN, Begin resigned from Likud in protest over Netanyahu’s policies, but it now appears they are working together towards meeting today’s challenges.

Begin told the daily Yisrael HaYom that he is a realist and he views the current talks between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority) in the realm of the theoretical. “Even an Oslo architect and Nobel Peace Prize laureate stated it is not possible to reach an agreement with the PA in the near future,” he explained, adding that therefore, Israel must focus on security issues.

Regarding talks with Syria, Begin stated there is no possibility to reach an agreement via the mediated talks with Damascus and they must be ended as soon as possible and if the sides are serious, they must enter into direct negotiations.

“Al-Assad’s intentions must be tested and this may only be accomplished though direct talks. Barak could not reach an agreement with Syria due to Syria’s unyielding position regarding 10 meters along the bank of the Kinneret and now, we must determine if Assad the son will be willing to make concessions where Assad the father was unwilling.”

Begin did not hold back in his criticism of the Kadima Party which he stated has its share of failures. He targeted Tzipi Livni as the leader of the party, who also held the senior post of foreign minister under Ehud Olmert. He blames Kadima for abandoning Gaza and he did not forget to mention Shaul Mofaz, who he reminds us, stated the implementation of the disengagement will improve Israel’s security situation.

Even with the UN resolution which brought about the end of the Second Lebanon War, which he adds Livni boasts as a victory, Begin explains “We all know this is not the case and since the war, Hizbullah has more than doubled its arsenal”.

Regarding Livni’s pristine image and her campaign emphasizing her integrity, Begin stated, “Integrity is not enough. We see the failed policies of the Kadima government. There are 7 million Israelis with integrity but they are not leaders,” stressing the nation’s leader must be capable in addition to having integrity.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)