It was reported today that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon hopes to present for the next government's approval his new initiative for peace in the Middle East, something along the lines of the Quartet's "Road Map" plan. Sharon's plan is based on US President Bush's speech of last June outlining the creation of a Palestinian state, but puts special emphasis on an absolute end to terrorism and a change in PA leadership. If those conditions are fulfilled, Sharon would agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state within temporary borders, which would prepare the ground for negotiations for the final status agreement.
MK Avigdor Lieberman, #1 on the National Union list, spoke with Arutz-7 about the plan: "The fact that Dan Meridor is responsible for formulating it is enough of a warning to me that it's not a good plan... After the elections, the right-wing camp must stand together as a strong front against it. I also hope that elements within the Likud will come out of the closet and speak out."
"What about Sharon's remarks to the effect that he will not include you in his government?" asked Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane. Lieberman responded,
"Sharon is trying to strike out against us as much as he can before the elections... The way I see the situation, Labor, including even Fuad [ex-Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer] are united in their determination not to enter a unity government with Sharon, so it looks like Sharon will have no choice but to turn to us and to the Likud's other natural partners, and try to formulate a coalition that will include 61 MKs... I think that if the entire national camp stands firm, we can still succeed against this terrible plan [of a PLO state]..."
Asked if he would not enter a coalition that has the words "Palestinian state" in its guidelines, Lieberman said, "The National Union is determined to be a member of the government, and to bring about a government that will not entertain any possibility of a Palestinian state."
MK Avigdor Lieberman, #1 on the National Union list, spoke with Arutz-7 about the plan: "The fact that Dan Meridor is responsible for formulating it is enough of a warning to me that it's not a good plan... After the elections, the right-wing camp must stand together as a strong front against it. I also hope that elements within the Likud will come out of the closet and speak out."
"What about Sharon's remarks to the effect that he will not include you in his government?" asked Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane. Lieberman responded,
"Sharon is trying to strike out against us as much as he can before the elections... The way I see the situation, Labor, including even Fuad [ex-Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer] are united in their determination not to enter a unity government with Sharon, so it looks like Sharon will have no choice but to turn to us and to the Likud's other natural partners, and try to formulate a coalition that will include 61 MKs... I think that if the entire national camp stands firm, we can still succeed against this terrible plan [of a PLO state]..."
Asked if he would not enter a coalition that has the words "Palestinian state" in its guidelines, Lieberman said, "The National Union is determined to be a member of the government, and to bring about a government that will not entertain any possibility of a Palestinian state."