IMRA Weekly Commentary..
25 October '12..
Many from the Left reacted to the announcement this evening that FM Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu will run together with the Likud in the coming elections by claiming that this represented a sharp shift to the "radical right".
But when one considers Lieberman's actual positions, the opposite is the case.
Let’s walk through some of his key position statements and related material in recent years.
#1. 28 October 2007 "Principles of Permanent Agreement"
1. The entry into final arrangement negotiations requires first and foremost the achievement of security for the State and Israel and a significant improvement in the economic conditions of the Palestinians. Any attempt to impose a diplomatic arrangement before a substantial end to terror, and in particular the firing of Qassams, and the reality that there are more than 60% unemployed on the Palestinians side - is doomed to fail.
2. The solution of the conflict must be based on the agreement to exchange land and populations and the creation of a reality of two nationally homogeneous states, such that the situation will not develop that that there will one and a half Palestinian states and half a state for the Jews…
… 5. The international community is obligated to be a party to the agreement, while giving guarantees and active involvement in security, state and economic affairs. To the extent that the Palestinians find it difficult to establish an effective security apparatus to end the terror activity, NATO will fill the vacuum created. …
#2. My blueprint for a resolution By Avigdor Lieberman The Jerusalem Post 23 June 2010
….for a lasting and fair solution, there needs to be an exchange of populated territories to create two largely homogeneous states, one Jewish Israeli and the other Arab Palestinian…
…This state needs to be demilitarized and Israel will need to retain a presence on its borders to ensure no smuggling of arms. In my opinion, these need to be our red lines.
…In most cases there is no physical population transfer or the demolition of houses, but creating a border where none existed, according to demographics.
#3 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman Speech at the UN General Assembly September 28 2010
In trying to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, we are dealing with two types of problems: emotional problems and practical problems. This is why the solution must also be a two-staged one.
The emotional problems are first and foremost the utter lack of confidence between the sides and issues such as Jerusalem, recognition of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish People and refugees.
Under these conditions, we should focus on coming up with a long-term intermediate agreement, something that could take a few decades. We need to raise an entire new generation that will have mutual trust and will not be influenced by incitement and extremist messages.
To achieve a final status agreement, we must understand that the primary practical obstacle is the friction between the two nations.
… the guiding principle for a final status agreement must not be land-for-peace but rather, exchange of populated territory. Let me be very clear: I am not speaking about moving populations, but rather about moving borders to better reflect demographic realities.
#4 FM sources deny existence of 'Lieberman Map' for peace By Herb Keinon The Jerusalem Post 23 January 2011
…At a speech in the Foreign ministry a month ago, Lieberman reiterated his position that he did not believe it was possible to reach a final status agreement with the Palestinians at this point, and that the best option now would be a long term interim agreement. He said that a plan for a long term agreement existed "on the shelf," and just needed some polish before being presented.
Lieberman did not spell out what indeed he had in mind, beyond saying that a Foreign Ministry team was working on a Plan B.
One ministry official said that the main components of Plan B had to do with enhanced Israel-PA security and economic cooperation, and that many ideas had been floated around.
"While some people are perhaps looking at a map, it was not officially endorsed by Lieberman," the source said.
+++++++
The conclusion?
If and when it is possible to negotiate a final agreement, Lieberman would support carving out large chunks of Israeli territory inhabited by Israeli Arabs, with the resulting borders being considerably worse from a military standpoint than the 1967 Green Line "Auschwitz Borders".
Lieberman also appears willing to rely on the efficacy of foreign troops deployed in the Palestinian state as a guaranty for Israel's security.
These are anything but radical right wing positions.
When Uzi Landau ran on the Yisrael Beiteinu ticket in the last election, he explained that he didn't agree with Lieberman's positions regarding a Palestinian state and borders but that he did not expect it to really matter during the term of the government that would form after the elections.
He was right.
Is this relevant to the coming elections?
Good question.
But suffice it to say that it would be useful to know the contours of his "Plan B" for a long term interim arrangement. That could most certainly be relevant.
Link: http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=58744
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