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Lieberman drafts own map of future Palestinian borders
(Haaretz) – Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has drafted a map of a Palestinian state in provisional borders. The map would essentially “freeze the existing situation in the territories, with minor changes,” a senior Foreign Ministry official said.
According to the official, Lieberman says Israel must take the diplomatic initiative by proposing a Palestinian state in provisional borders. This would preempt international recognition of such a state in the 1967 borders, reduce international pressure on Israel and transfer at least part of the state to the Palestinians.
“After a Palestinian state has been established in provisional borders, it would be possible to resume diplomatic negotiations and maybe reach agreements on transferring additional territory to the Palestinian state,” the official said.
The Foreign Ministry source said Lieberman’s map also includes a network of new roads linking the areas under Palestinian control. The map “provides territorial contiguity that would enable the Palestinian state in provisional borders to be viable,” he said.
Lieberman’s plan, which corresponds to the second stage of the 2003 U.S.-sponsored road map peace plan, would not involve evacuating settlements or transferring significant additional territory to the PA. Thus the new state’s provisional borders would comprise mainly the parts of the West Bank known as Areas A and B. The PA currently has full control over Area A, and civilian but not security control in Area B.
Together, these areas comprise some 42 percent of the West Bank. But a bit of additional territory might be thrown in to bring the new state up to 45 or 50 percent of the West Bank.
The idea is already gaining support in the forum of seven key ministers. Vice Prime Minister Moshe Ya’alon, for instance, shares Lieberman’s view that Israel should consider establishing a Palestinian state with provisional borders, simultaneously bolstering the Palestinian Authority and reducing Israeli control over Palestinians’ lives.
And Lieberman was particularly pleased with Netanyahu’s statement on Channel 10 television a few weeks ago that an interim agreement is one possible outcome of the diplomatic process.
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(Map Wikipedia)
Galant’s arrogance makes him perfect for IDF chief
(Haaretz) – You look at the house that Yoav Galant built and the picture is clear: He is suitable to be the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff.
The excessive size of the place, the open craving for space, the aggressiveness needed to get it done – these are precisely the basic qualifications for someone who’s supposed to lead an organization whose job is to implement long-term control over occupied territory and people who oppose it.
Galant’s house is, in many ways, a metaphor for the State of Israel. Take a look – at the lack of consideration for the neighbors, at the bureaucratic loopholes that allow for distasteful practices, at the obsession over expansion, at the takeover, at the facts on the ground. It’s primarily a self-ignorant symbol of a megalomania, of a force that doesn’t realize its ramifications.
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What comes of all this is that it’s no surprise to learn that those close to Galant are arguing that he is being subjected to character assassination – just as the Europeans/leftists/bleeding hearts are instigating a character assassination of the State of Israel when it comes to anything related to appropriating land or being inconsiderate of our neighbors.The State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss is currently looking into the matter, but his investigation is unnecessary. All we need to do is look at the villa in the jungle in order to realize that Yoav Galant is just the right pick for IDF chief of staff.
Galant confident of imminent appointment to IDF chief despite report
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
