A two-state solution enjoys broad support in Israel and is in the country’s vital interest, former foreign minister and likely next justice minister Tzipi Livni told the Herzliya Conference on Tuesday. Despite the regional uncertainty created by the Arab revolts and the concomitant rise of Islamists, she said, Israelis must seize the initiative and “divorce” the Palestinians.
Livni’s statements came as part of her opening remarks on for 4:15pm panel, held inside the Herzliya Assembly room, titled “Is the Israeli-Palestinian impasse breakable?.” Among the members of the panel were Shlomo Avineri, a Hebrew University political scientist and Israel Prize laureate who headed Israel’s Foreign Ministry from 1975 to 1977, and Dani Dayan, former chairman of the Yesha Council of settlements.
“I can understand the impulse to wait and see what happens” in the region, she said. “But that’s also what an animal does when caught in the headlights.”
“This isn’t a favor to the Palestinians, or… the U.S. president,” said Livni. “Understand – I don’t want to marry the Palestinians but to divorce them.”
As foreign minister in 2008 and 2009, Livni spent nine months in talks with Palestinian negotiators before popular elections relegated Kadima – her party at the time – to the opposition. She now heads the new Hatnua (The Movement) party.
“We didn’t reach a dead end in negotiations – we simply ran out of time.” she said.
Livni said that the experience of Egypt – where a popular uprising paved the way for the election of an Islamist government – shows that written, signed peace agreements can survive the departure of their drafters.
Avineri said he’s doubtful a final-status agreement can be reached anytime soon. Instead, he suggested, both sides should take gradual steps that may one day lead to a conclusive agreement. Avineri said there are four major issues on which there are still major divisions between the most moderate Israeli and Palestinian leaders: Jerusalem, the location of borders, the disposition of refugees, and the conditions for ensuring Israeli security.
“A final status agreement is not currently possible,” he said, pointing to Kosovo, Cyprus, and Bosnia as conflicts that have not yet been resolved, but merely managed. “We have to work towards proactive conflict management as a pragmatic way of moving slowly towards a final status agreement.”
Dayan argued that Israeli security requires the strategic depth provided by the West Bank, which he insisted must not be ceded to another state. “An improved status quo with a strengthened, autonomous Palestinian Authority is the most we can offer,” he said. “That said, we have to do everything possible to improve Palestinian quality of life in every possible way.”
Livni, however, insisted on ending on a hopeful note. “I want to be able to tell my kids and grandkids that despite the dangers, we tried,” she said to the crowd’s applause.
[Photo: Tzipi Livni / Flickr]