Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman pointed out that while the PA (Palestinian Authority) continues to point to yishuvim in Yehuda and Shomron as stumbling blocks to peace, he questioned the legitimacy of such a statement. In his address before a Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce function, the senior minister pointed out that prior to the June 1967 Six Day War, a similar situation of hostilities and terror existed, prior to the establishments of yishuvim, rejecting the contention that the “settlements” are the problem.

Lieberman went on to address the recent meeting in  the White House between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Barak Obama, praising the prime minister’s actions and statements, playing down media reports of tensions between Jerusalem and Washington. He stated that while Israel and the US differ somewhat on the course of action to be taken, there are common goals, playing down reports of difficulties between Israel and the new American administration.

He spoke of the need to improve the PA (Palestinian Authority) economy as well as bringing back the feeling of safety and security to citizens. Lieberman spoke of the PA’s hypocrisy, on the one hand accepting Israeli assistance while on the other hand, turning to the International Court in The Hague, seeking ‘war crimes’ charges against Israel.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)