“No Terrorist Country alongside Israel”

Considering a situation in which a Palestinian government does not accept the demands of the Quartet nations, which include recognizing the right of Israel to exist and recognizing past agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, Livni was pessimistic about moving forward in the peace process. “I know that, on principle, they understand this, that any internal dialogue [between the Palestinians] that results in a government that does not accept the conditions of the Quartet will have an implication on our capability to advance. Not because we want to punish anybody, but there will be no chance to advance.”

In light of this perception, Livni spoke of the importance of the current process of negotiating with the more moderate Palestinians, trying to improve their economy while dealing separately with Gaza, and maintaining Israel’s security. Citing Hizbullah in Lebanon as an example of what can happen, Livni said, “We don’t want to be in a situation where we set up a terrorist country alongside Israel.”

By Joshua Spurlock, Correspondent BFP Israel Mosaic Radio