Skip to main content

Netanyahu reveals no intention of settler withdrawal

Against the backdrop of Israeli attempts to blame President Mahmoud Abbas for the failure of the peace talks, a new study recommends immediate steps to separate from the Palestinians, thus preserving Israel’s Jewish-democratic character.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as leaders gathered to deliver a joint statement on Middle East Peace talks in the East Room of the White House in Washington September 1, 2010.     REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2HTDF
Read in 

A week ago, I thanked Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth commentator Shimon Shiffer for exposing what Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon really thinks of the US attempt to advance the two-state solution. This week we should be thanking Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett for exposing the pathetic attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to place the blame for the failure of said attempt at the door of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). 

Bennett’s sharp protest against Netanyahu’s “proposal” to hand Palestine responsibility for tens of thousands of settlers, forced Netanyahu’s office to admit that it was nothing but a spin. Netanyahu’s people went one better by blaming the leader of HaBayit HaYehudi party for disturbing the prime minister in the execution of his heroic duty — exposing the real (meaning, rejectionist) face of Abbas. Were it not for Bennett’s big mouth, Netanyahu’s associates claimed, Abbas would have rushed to reject the “proposal” to host a Jewish minority in his state, and would have borne responsibility for the failure of the negotiations. Hallelujah! As Ya’alon said, finally, Kerry will be getting out of our face.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.