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Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni (US State Department photo)
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| By israelinsider staff May 13, 2007 |
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The 2005 withdrawals from Gaza and northern Samaria were not the last Israeli territorial concessions, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said in an interview with the Egyptian weekly al-Ahram published Saturday.
"I believe I represent most Israelis and I can confirm that Gaza is not the last move. We are convinced that in order to establish a Palestinian state we must withdraw from additional territories," the minister said.
Livni said that Israelis were ready to make concessions for peace with its neighbors. "The majority of Israeli people not only understand the need for peace, but also the need to reach compromises in order to reach peace.
"In this context I represent the opinion of the majority, which supports a solution of two states, one for Jews and one for Palestinians, and this means that the road to a Palestinian state begins by renouncing terror -- something which I believe represents not only Israel's interest, but also the Palestinians' interest.
"Israel made a number of concessions and took some courageous steps, like in our pullout from the Gaza Strip and in the removal of all the settlements. Thus, we conveyed a message to the Palestinians that we mean what we say," Livni said.
The foreign minister rejected the interviewer's claim that Gaza was a burden on Israel.
"When I decide to uproot 7,000 settlers from their homes, many of whom were born in Gaza, it is untrue to say that their presence there was a burden on Israel. Believe me, this decision was a courageous, difficult and painful decision."
"The goal was to convey a message to the world and the Palestinians that we are serious. At the same time, we wanted to say that we do not wish to control the Palestinians," Livni said.
She said that the real obstacle to peace was weakness among Palestinian moderates.
"What held up the peace process was not Israel's unwillingness, but the inability of the moderate Palestinians who believe in a two-state solution to control violence." |
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"When I decide to uproot 7,000 settlers ... it is untrue to say that their presence there was a burden ... The goal was to convey a message."
FM Tzipi Livni
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