(Jerusalem Post) Avi Dichter - Jerusalem lies at the heart of the Jewish nation. Despite its most sacred Jewish status, the State of Israel has transformed the Temple Mount in Jerusalem into a place of religious freedom. Nonetheless, there is a faction of radical Muslims today that is inciting violence at the Mount in an attempt to create an atmosphere of conflict in the city and in the entire region. To make matters worse, these rioters are supported by the Palestinian Authority. The world must clearly understand that Jerusalem will not return to the pre-1967 borders. This is a clear and important strategic policy in the heart of consensus in Israel. Before negotiations surrounding Jerusalem are even conceived, the level of trust between Israel and the Palestinians must soar to new heights. Such trust will occur only after the issues of Gaza, the West Bank, the settlement blocs and the Jordan Valley are resolved. The absolute sole route toward a lasting agreement is direct bilateral negotiations. The writer, a Kadima MK, is a former head of the Israel Security Agency and a former minister of public security.
2010-03-22 10:09:53Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive