Yisrael Katz
Yisrael KatzHezki Ezra

As Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz hosted an event in his sukkah for IDF generals, he gave an exclusive interview to Arutz Sheva, in which he lambasted the current negotiations with the Palestinian Authority (PA). He also spoke about recent terrorist incidents, and the threat posed by Iran.

Commenting on the negotiations between Israel and the PA, which are being led by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, Katz said: "I don't know all of the details, but while it is perhaps possible to hold talks in secret, it is not legitimate to hold talks with a secret ideology."

The Minister added: "For the Likud, there is a path forward, our path is different from that of Tzipi Livni. Her way is not our way. The Likud has to fix the guiding principles for negotiations." He added that there was a need to stress to the US that there are red lines, and that Israel is not prepared to cross those red lines.

Katz also expressed his staunch opposition to a Palestinian state, saying: "The existential threat to our existence does not come from Iran, or Syria or other Arab states, but rather from the establishment of a Palestinian state, which we can not allow to take place."

Relating to the terrorist incidents of the last few days, that have seen two Israeli soldiers murdered, Katz said he had been fiercely opposed to the recent release of PA terrorists, and said he would continue to voice his opposition in the future, even at a risk to his political career.

Regarding Iran, Katz said he placed his support behind Prime Minster Binyamin Netanyahu and urged world leaders to take note of the conflicting statements being made by Iran's president, Hasan Rouhani.

In recent weeks, the Iranian president has called for talks with the West and pledged to shut down a nuclear reactor, whilst also saying his country would not budge an inch on its desires to achieve its nuclear ambitions.

"Katz described Rouhani as a "wolf in a sheepskin" and said, "We rely on the Rock of Israel (G-d) and the Israel Defense Forces. The world cannot turn away from these contradictory words, instead it needs to stop Iran in its tracks on its quest for nuclear weapons."