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Netanyahu addresses the Herzliya conference. (AP)
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| By Israel Insider staff and partners January 22, 2006 |
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A peace agreement with the Palestinians will require Israel to cede territories it currently holds, Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday evening. "It's completely clear to me for that a peace agreement requires concessions on both sides, and will include conceding territory on our part, but I will never give up on security," Netanyahu said, speaking at the Herzliya Conference.
"Just as there are no free meals in the economy, so too must our policy (towards the Palestinians) be free of free concessions, and certainly not under the pressure of terrorism," he said.
He ruled out a large-scale retreat. "In the present circumstances, the '67 lines are not borders that would end the conflict but rather perpetuate it. [Return to the Green Line] wouldn't ease terrorism, but would increase terrorism," Netanyahu said.
"Such a policy provides rewards to terrorism," Netanyahu said, insisting that Israel return to the diplomatic "policy of reciprocity" that he maintained during his tenure as prime minister and which succeeded in reducing terrorism to its lowest level in a decade.
On the topic of Iran, Netanyahu quoted U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt that Israel should "carry a big stick, and speak softly."
But, pandering to centrist voters, Netanyahu vowed to dismantle unauthorized outposts in Judea and Samaria and to reduce the number of checkpoints to boost Palestinian freedom of movement, a step, he said, "essential for the economy to develop."
"It's completely clear we won't be back to control Palestinian population centers, just as it's clear that our security zones do not include significant Palestinian population," he said.
Netanyahu insisted that he would "rule out continuing the policy of unilateral withdrawals without anything in return."
"This is a policy that rewards extremists who support terrorism, and weakens the moderates who support peace negotiations. The reason for that is simple: The Arab street understands that Israel withdrew under pressure and this is a fact -- because there is no peace agreement accompanying the withdrawal. There is only terror," he said.
"The Palestinian public asks: Who is kicking Israel out? Hamas. Who is strengthened? Hamas. Who is weakened? The Palestinian Authority. This is a dynamic which distances peace and security, and strengthens terrorist elements," Netanyahu said. "The policy of unilateral withdrawal with nothing in exchange has a clear replacement: The policy of reciprocity. This is a responsible policy that will lead to peace, and that punishes terrorist activity opposed to peace."
The Likud leader and candidate for prime minister described his vision of secure borders for Israel.
"I believe that the borders (of Israel) must include the Jordan Rift Valley, the Golan Heights, and the Judea Desert -- this is our eastern security strip. Greater Jerusalem and the settlement blocs help protect central Israel, the Jerusalem -- Tel Aviv highway, our international airport, and the Trans-Israel Highway. As prime minister, I would aim to renew negotiations for a permanent agreement based on these security borders," he said.
Netanyahu also said that he would put any future deal involving territorial concessions would be brought before the Israeli people in a referendum.
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