Livni: peace situation is complicated, hopes to reach understanding

In a press conference today, Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said "I would like to see more realistic expectations... Israel is eager to reach an agreement; it is a part of our interest, stagnation is not our policy, nor our interest. But at the end of the day, we have to understand that the situation is complicated and let us hope that both leaders can reach an understanding on the widest common ground that can be reached."

Israe;'s Ministry Of Foreign Affairs noted that in the conference held with Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema, Livni said "Everybody is talking about the meeting in November. But what is more important is the outcome of the bilateral dialogue between Prime Minister Olmert and President Mahmoud Abbas, since the idea is that if they bridge the gap between both sides, reach an understanding on several issues, this could be something that will be embraced in the meeting by the Arab World, by the International Community and this can also launch ongoing negotiations on more concrete issues later on."

Livni added "So basically the real question, and this is what we are working on, is the bilateral dialogue and to reach an understanding. And I believe that sometimes, high expectations can lead to frustration and frustration can lead to violence especially in the Palestinian society. We met this in the past, after Camp David 2000, when we could not reach an agreement even though the Israeli proposal was more than enough, but was not agreed, and instead of an ongoing process, we saw terror on Israel from the Intifada for years."

Livni said "So, basically, I would like to see more realistic expectations, and of course, Israel is eager to reach an agreement; it is a part of our interest, stagnation is not our policy, nor our interest. But at the end of the day, we have to understand that the situation is complicated and let us hope that both leaders can reach an understanding on let us say, the widest common ground that can be reached and then this can be embraced in the meeting, and the meeting can be the beginning of a more concrete process between Israel and the Palestinians, but it is too early to say."

Livni also said "So, from our perspective any understanding should reflect the Israeli interest, but we do believe that right now, there are several issues which are not a zero sum game and the Israeli interests, are also the understanding of the Palestinians. I would like to give one example. Since any understanding or the implementation of any understanding will be according to performance on the ground, I think that there is a better understanding right now, and I think that Salaam Fayyad shows great courage in understanding that Israel understands that enhancing and helping the Palestinian economy to rise, there is a better understanding by the Palestinians that Israel's security is not only an Israeli problem, but that this is something that they need to give an answer to, and this can be their part to achieve their own independent state."

Two days earlier, Livni said "we have to face facts: the situation in Sderot is unbearable from the point of view of Israel's citizens, and for no good reason. The situation in Gaza is one wherein a terror organization has overtaken the Strip. The fact that they are continuing to arm themselves, through the border with Egypt, is also something for which a solution must be found. At the same time, Israel wishes to promote dialogue with the moderate elements, on the basis of two assumptions. The first is that this dialogue, in the short run, will not bring about a solution for the Gaza issue. The second - which we will also have to consider - is the fact that the parties with which we are conducting the dialogue are not capable of carrying out the commitments that we will be demanding. This dialogue must reflect Israel's security needs, and we must recognize that they will not be able to implement it everywhere. Therefore any dialogue must take these two basic assumptions into account, and its outcome must reflect Israel's interests, including its security interests. This is the purpose of this dialogue, as I see it."

She added "As for Gaza, as I just said, even though we may not have an immediate solution to stop the Kassams, I do think there are other measures, beyond 'dramatic' military steps that we can take. Gaza is dependent on Israel and on Israel's willingness to continue letting it lead a certain type of life. I think we can, and should, think of using some of these means in order to convey the message that there is no such formula: we cannot continue to accept a situation wherein kindergarten kids are under daily threat while in Gaza life continues as usual."

She said about direct contact with Hamas "it is important to understand the reasons why the world's international community does not speak with Hamas. It is not even because of the past, but because there is no hope for a future with the Hamas for the Palestinians - neither for Israel nor for the Palestinians - since this is an organization that represents an extreme ideology and which is not willing to meet the requirements of the international community: namely, acceptance of Israel, the renunciation of violence and terrorism, and acceptance of former agreements between Israel and the Palestinians."

Livni added "So, when looking for a better future there is a need to take the right steps, and right now, the policy and the strategy of the international community as well as that of the new Palestinian government is to make a clear distinction. The Palestinians need to understand that there is no hope for them with Hamas, while there is hope with the current, or the new Palestinian government and Abu Mazen. Only a clear distinction between Hamas and Fatah, between Haniyeh and Abu Mazen and Salam Fayyad of course, can bring this message to the Palestinians. Otherwise we might witness a process of Islamization and radical elements not only the in the Gaza Strip but also in the West Bank. And this is something that not only Israel, but I believe also the Palestinians cannot afford."

Asked about a draft agreement currently being formulated about principles to be presented in the international conference, and whether the core issues - the issues of Jerusalem, the refugees, the borders, the settlements - will be included in this draft which is to be presented at the international conference.

Livni said "The agreement must reflect the common denominator, and I believe there is a common denominator between Israel and the Palestinians, so long as - as far as I'm concerned - such an agreement reflects Israel's basic interests. I believe that it is possible to reach a common denominator. On the other hand, the question of what will be achieved depends, inter alia, upon the possibility of bridging the gaps. Every agreement has an element of compromise, on the part of the Palestinians too. Therefore from my point of view, the question of whether this is a feasible agreement and whether it is an agreement worth achieving depends, among other things, on its content, and whether it represents the legitimate and basic security interests of the State of Israel. Concurrently, the Palestinians must of course ask themselves the same question."