Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will convene his Septet of trusted ministers to discuss the matter of construction in Judea and Samaria, as he prepares to board a plane to Washington, D.C. for the much-touted “direct talks” with the Palestinian Authority.
Meanwhile, MK Danny Danon (Likud) has asked Netanyahu to inform the public what his guiding principles will be in the upcoming negotiations.
"In view of your justified decision to personally lead the negotiations,” Danon wrote his party leader, “it is proper and correct to reveal to the citizens of Israel – and to the nationalist camp amongst them – the principles of the negotiations from the Israeli side.”
Danon listed five questions which are on the public's mind and for which answers are needed, in his opinion.
1. Why don't you demand, as a threshold condition, the recognition by the Palestinians of the right of the Jewish people to the State of Israel with its capital in Jerusalem?
2. How do you intend to deal with the fact that the Palestinians do not have one leadership, but two – Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in Judea and Samaria?
3. Why does the international community demand that Israel carry out dozens of gestures in order to begin the negotiations, and why is the treatment of Gilad Shalit absent from these demands?
4. What are your red lines in entering negotiations?
5. What do you intend to do if you are presented with another demand to freeze construction in Judea and Samaria?
Danon advises Netanyahu that presenting his views to the public “will assist in safeguarding the vital interests of Israel and will bolster the feeling of trust that Israeli citizens have in their leadership.”
A ceremonial Rosh HaShanah toast with the Prime Minister will be held at Tel Aviv's Ganei HaTa'arucha (Exhibition Gardens) fairgrounds Monday evening. Netanyahu will participate in the annual Likud event, and thousands of Likud members are expected to attend.