Daily Alert Archives

Recognizing Israel's Security Needs in Jerusalem

(Israel Hayom) Zalman Shoval - Every time Israel announces a construction plan in one of Jerusalem's neighborhoods beyond the Green Line, we are inundated with anguished cries from American and European representatives. They do not bother to explain why building apartments or adding rooms to existing homes in Jewish neighborhoods, which in any possible future diplomatic agreement will be part of Israel anyway, conflicts with the "two-state" solution. These condemnations encourage the Palestinians to maintain their obstinate position regarding any possible future deal. In 1967 Israel made a strategic decision to never go back to a situation whereby an enemy can lay siege to Jerusalem from all sides or even sever it from the rest of the country, as almost happened during the War of Independence. Its various governments made the decision to envelop Jerusalem with Jewish neighborhoods and communities in order to break the Palestinian continuity surrounding it. It is strange and upsetting that the Americans, of all people, have taken a position that runs counter to declarations issued by the current president and his predecessors, that they recognize Israel's security needs. The writer is a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S.
2014-11-14 00:00:00
Full Article