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Prime Minister Ariel Sharon: "I came here from
Jerusalem, the eternal, united and undivided capital of the
State of Israel and the
Jewish people forever and ever.
And I would like to use the term "netzach netzachim" - more than forever and ever. I congratulate
AIPAC for arranging this successful
Policy Conference. It is my pleasure to join you in person and to close this incredible event at such a crucial time for the State of Israel.
Since its founding fifty-five years ago, AIPAC has proven a close friend to
Israel. You actively promote issues that improve the bilateral relations between the
United States and us. AIPAC's continued support is more important now than ever before. We attach great importance to the strategic and friendly relationship we have with the United States, especially the current
Administration. I want to thank AIPAC for contributing to this. You have done tremendous work in order that we will be able to reach this situation.
Thank you for that.
Over a year ago,
President Bush and I reached a series of understandings that will help guarantee the future of Israel and preserve Israel's character and well being as a
Jewish state with secure and recognized borders.
Last month I met with President Bush at his ranch in
Crawford. During our meeting the
President and I reconfirmed our understandings on strategic issues. Clearly, the relations between our two countries are stronger than ever before.
The strength of
US-Israel relations is also visible in the unprecedented bi-partisan support Israel receives in the
United States Congress and the public. We see eye to eye on strategic issues such as: the global war on terrorism, the need to reach a peaceful solution with the
Palestinians according to the Roadmap, the threats to the stability of the
Middle East from
Syria,
Lebanon, and Hizballah and the dangers of a nuclear
Iran. Most importantly,
Congress confirmed its dedication to Israel's long-term interests by endorsing the principals of President Bush's letter.
The Roadmap is the only political plan for a peaceful solution with the Palestinians. The sequence of the Roadmap states that progress will be in stages in order to examine developments. It emphasizes that true
peace will only be realized after full security is achieved and terrorism is eliminated.
Over a year ago, in the absence of a
Palestinian partner to implementing the Roadmap, I initiated the
Disengagement Plan, which was approved by the
Government of Israel and the
Knesset, the
Israeli Parliament. Let there be no doubt - the Disengagement Plan will be implemented according to the timetable and the decisions authorized by the
Government.
We believe disengagement will increase Israel's security and reduce friction between the Palestinians and us. It will help advance our national strategic interests, promote our economy and prosperity and advance the development of the
Negev and the
Galilee.
It is thanks to the disengagement that we can make certain that there will be no entry of
Palestinian refugees into Israel. In addition, the major
Israeli population centers in
Judea and Samaria will remain an integral part of the State of Israel and will have territorial contiguity with Israel in any final status agreement.
In addition to the understandings I reached with the President, since initiating the Disengagement Plan, it has gained the support of the international community and improved the status of Israel compared to a year ago.
In implementing the Disengagement Plan there is the potential of paving the way to the Roadmap. Though the decision of disengagement was taken unilaterally, Israel is willing to coordinate elements of the plan with the new leadership of the
Palestinian Authority. I call upon the leaders of the Palestinian Authority to meet the challenge and coordinate the disengagement with us. The successful coordination of the Disengagement Plan will allow us to embark on a new era of trust and build our relations with the Palestinian Authority.
However, in this pre-Roadmap phase - and we are still in the pre-Roadmap phase - we see great opportunities in the election of Chairman
Mahmoud Abbas. We hope he will be able to lead his people and create a democratic law-abiding society that will build its institutions, undergo a broad reform process, fight terrorism and dismantle the infrastructure and dismantle the terrorist organizations. Israel does not intend to lose this opportunity. We will do our utmost to cooperate with the new
Palestinian leadership and will take the needed measures to help Chairman
Abbas.
We are willing to help Chairman Abbas as much as we can, as long as we do not risk our security. That is the red line."
Continued
- published: 14 Jan 2014
- views: 2356