Gantz: "We delayed dismantling the Hamas government because of dragging our feet"/Leam
Minister Benny Gantz said today (Sunday) that he opposes unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.
"After the October 7th massacre, unilateral actions such as recognizing a Palestinian state are not the way to regional stability and political settlements," Gantz said in his speech at the conference of presidents of Jewish organizations in America, held in Jerusalem.
"We must act in long-term processes that will establish a regional architecture against the Iranian axis and promote political arrangements that will improve the lives of all residents in the region and promote peace."
Gantz emphasized that the fighting for Rafah will expand during Ramadan if a schedule for the release of hostages is not promoted.
"The world must know, and the leaders of Hamas must know - if in Ramadan our abductees are not at home - the fighting will continue and expand to Rafah as well. We will do this in a coordinated manner, and we will allow the evacuation of the civilians while discussing with our American and Egyptian partners to avoid harming uninvolved civilians. But for those who say That the price is too high - I say clearly: Hamas has a choice. They can surrender, release the abductees, and thus the residents of Gaza will be able to celebrate Ramadan. We will continue to fight, in any scenario, until we achieve our goals."
Earlier, the government at its weekly meeting, in which Gantz participated for the first time in several weeks in which he was absent, approved the declaratory decision regarding Israel's opposition to international dictates.
The text of the statement reads that "Israel rejects outright international dictates regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians. The settlement, to the extent that it is reached, will be solely through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions. In addition, it is stated that "Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state .
Such a recognition following the October 7 massacre would give a huge reward to unprecedented terrorism and prevent any future peace settlement."
Benny Gantz/photo processing, Noam Rivkin Fenton
Gantz responded, among other things, to a report in the Washington Post, according to which the Biden administration and several countries in the Middle East are rushing to formulate a detailed and comprehensive plan for long-term peace between Israel and the Palestinians - including a clear timetable for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
According to the report, the plan may be announced in the coming weeks, but it depends on the beginning of a truce and an agreement for the release of hostages, which is currently still far from being finalized.
The organizers of the plan hope that the agreement can be started before Ramadan, which begins on March 10.
According to American and Arab officials, the first phase of the ceasefire, which is expected to last at least six weeks, will provide time to publicize the plan, gather additional support and take the first steps towards its implementation, including the establishment of a Palestinian transitional government.
"The key is the hostage deal," said one of the American officials, who, like the others quoted in the article, discussed the issue anonymously so as not to disrupt the plan before its completion.
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Benny Gantz
Gaza war
War of Iron Swords
Palestinian state