Sunday, November 08, 2009

Mofaz presents alternate peace plan, says he may talk to Hamas


Nov. 8, 2009
Gil Hoffman , THE JERUSALEM POST

Kadima No. 2 Shaul Mofaz on Sunday presented his new diplomatic plan for the formation of a Palestinian state in 60 percent of the West Bank, followed by final border negotiations. "The government and the prime minister have no plan," Mofaz said at a Tel Aviv press conference. "We have been waiting, but there is no path and there won't be. In six months, the prime minister has done nothing to change things. A prime minister without a diplomatic horizon harms the ability of Israel to achieve security and stability. As a former chief of general staff and defense minister, I can tell you that this is dangerous. Time is not on our side. Iran is getting stronger, Hizbullah is arming, Hamas is getting ready for the next step, and al-Qaida is building its base of support. More and more countries are considering a bi-national state. Israel is seen as an insubordinate element, opposing a solution to the Palestinian conflict. The time has come to make decisions. As a candidate to lead the country, I felt I had to present a plan. A leader cannot sit quietly while the prime minister is not presenting a vision for the future."

Mofaz called for a demilitarized Palestinian state, setting Israel's permanent borders.

"Israel will lead and will not be led. We will stop occupying another nation. We must strengthen Israel's position internationally. As a first step, the Palestinian state will be in 60 percent of the West Bank and Gaza. 90 percent of the Palestinians will be there and no settlements will be evacuated."

Upon creation of the demilitarized state, Mofaz said that permanent, defensible borders will be negotiated while evacuation-compensation bills for Israeli resident of the West Bank are enacted. After the negotiations and the implementation of understandings, the two states would implement agreements on core issues like refugees, Jerusalem, and borders.

While the first stage may be unilateral, the second would require a referendum before implementation.

"I believe there is no path other than dialogue and any attempt to avoid it would harm the country," Mofaz said.

Regarding the Annapolis plan, Mofaz said that there were those who would support it and those who would oppose it.

"I don't have a political objective with the plan, but if Netanyahu doesn't implement it, I will implement the plan as prime minister. I welcomed Annapolis. But I disagreed with the all-or-nothing approach."

Mofaz added that he had consulted with President Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who both listened to and approved of his assessments.

Mofaz said that it was safe to "assume" that he had checked with the proper officials who were involved with past negotiations.

"I believe this plan is right for the strategic reality of today and the future," he said. "Others who have plans should present them. Does it make sense for a government that endorsed two states for two peoples not to have a plan? Without a diplomatic plan, Israel will be led by others."

The former chief of staff also spoke of a possible shift for Hamas.

"If Hamas is elected and wants to negotiate and accept quartet conditions, then it's no longer Hamas. Responsible leadership in Israel would sit with those who changed their agenda. I expect the Palestinians to be courageous and consider the plan deeply and realize there is something to discuss. There's a timetable for negotiations on the core issues and American mediation if necessary."

Mofaz suggested continuity without settlement evacuation for the West Bank.

"In the end, the Palestinians will get almost the entire land of 1967, but we would keep the blocs in our eastern border with 228,000 Israelis. For the 62,000 other Israelis, we would have to resettle them in blocs, in the Negev and Galilee."

No maps were presented at the press conference because, Mofaz said, it could hurt future Israeli flexibility. The IDF would remain in present locations in order to continue to protect the lives of residents in those areas.

He insisted his plan would not harm the security of Israel or endanger the people living there any more than they are endangered by the current situation.
This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com /servlet/Satellite?cid=1257455207475&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull

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