(14-02-2010) Dep. FM Ayalon: Recognition of right to self-determination must be mutual
Calling for a population and territory exchange in order to achieve peace with the Palestinians, Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon said in an interview to the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that if the Palestinians demanded the right to self-dtermination, they needed to recognize the right of Jewish self-determination in Israel.
Mr. Ayalon made clear that every citizen in Israel enjoys equal rights That Israel defines itself as a Jewish state does not impinge on the freedoms and rights of its citizens.
Mr. Ayalon also reiterated his support for territorial and population exchanges, particularly in the southern Galilee area known as "the Triangle" which borders the West Bank.
"What know from experience that countries are being divided on the basis of demography," said the deputy foreign minister.
Mr. Ayalon also rejected claims that settlements are an obstacle to peace. "We have shown in the past that settlements do not affect the final results - and proof of this is the withdrawal from Sinai and from the Gaza Strip," Ayalon said.
"From our point of view [an agreement] means two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in stability and security, in coordinated cooperation," he added.
Meanwhile, Ayalon spoke yesterday in Givatayim, where he accused the Palestinian Authority of inciting against Israel. Describing Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as "no different from [Yasser] Arafat, who called for a resumption of terrorism at the Fatah conference," Ayalon said that "on the one hand [Abbas] speaks of peace and wants gestures of good will, but on the other hand he attacks us."
The deputy foreign minister also said that funding from Saudi Arabia is used to organize incitement against Israel. Commenting on Iran's nuclear program, Ayalon said "we will not accept a nuclear Iran. This is not our fate. We need international cooperation and further sanctions. There are intensive efforts behind the scenes. The sanctions worked against Iraq and will work against Iran."
"Iran is not only clashing with Israel but with the entire world. This is the most serious threat to the world since Hitler," he said.
HomePage
Calling for a population and territory exchange in order to achieve peace with the Palestinians, Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon said in an interview to the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that if the Palestinians demanded the right to self-dtermination, they needed to recognize the right of Jewish self-determination in Israel.