Nethanyahu Says He's Willing to Give Up Territory For Peace
Likud chair Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday sent out a clear message that he is hewing to the center and is prepared to make territorial concessions as part of an interim agreement and final-status agreement with the Palestinians.
The word "concessions" recurred frequently in Netanyahu's speech, a fact to which his aides drew the media's attention. On the subject of territorial concessions, for example, Netanyahu said: "I say once again: obviously peace negotiations will involve concessions by both sides, that is also by the Israeli side. Before any peace agreement involving concessions, there will be a referendum to allow the Israeli public to decide directly on territorial determinations."Netanyahu distinguished himself from Kadima and Labor, saying that unlike them, he is categorically opposed to a return to the pre-1967 borders and to further unilateral withdrawals, and that he supports immediate steps to increase security, such as relocating the separation fence to include areas in "Israel's strategic core" such as Ben-Gurion Airport and the Jerusalem-Modi'in-Tel Aviv highway.
In essence, his aides said, Netanyahu's speech talks about a significant compromise in the core of the West Bank.
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http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/673459.html
Bibi: Peace Requires Compromise
Netanyahu tempts centrist voters: Likud leader says reaching peace deal requires territorial compromise, vows to dismantle illegal West Bank outposts, boost Palestinian freedom of movement
"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.
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http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3204655,00.html
Bibi: We Are Willing To Make Territorial Concessions
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