Netanyahu wants to replace Road Map with Triple Track

China News.Net
Saturday 9th May, 2009

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu is calling for a fresh approach to attain peace in the Middle East.

Netanyahu told the annual policy conference of AIPAC earlier this week that after the failure of six successive prime ministers of Israel and two American presidents to achieve peace in the past 13 years, that it was time for something different.

"I think it requires a fresh approach, and the fresh approach that I suggest is pursuing a triple track towards peace between Israel and the Palestinians – a political track, a security track, and an economic track," he said.

The prime minister of Israel was addressing the AIPAC Gala Banquet, a highlight of the annual policy conference, which was attended by 6,500 people. According to AIPAC, more than half of Congress and scores of ambassadors and diplomats from countries around the world were in attendance.

"We seek expanded relations with the Arab world. We want normalization of economic ties and diplomatic ties. We want peace with the Arab world," Netanyahu told the audience. "But we also want peace with the Palestinians."

The prime minister went on to elaborate on his "triple track" proposal. "The political track means that we are prepared to resume peace negotiations without any delay and without any preconditions – the sooner the better," he said.

"The security track means that we want to continue the cooperation with the program led by General Dayton, in cooperation with the Jordanians and with the Palestinian Authority to strengthen the security apparatus of the Palestinians. This is something we believe in and something that I think we can advance in a joint effort," Mr Netanyahu said.

"The economic track means that we are prepared to work together to remove as many obstacles as we can to the advancement of the Palestinian economy. We want to work with the Palestinian Authority on this track, not as a substitute for political negotiations, but as a boost to them. I want to see Palestinian youngsters knowing that they have a future. I want them not to be hostage to a cult of death and despair and hate. I want them to have jobs. I want them to have career paths. I want them to know that they can provide for their families. This means that we can give them a future of hope, a future that means that there is prosperity for all. And this has proved to be successful in advancing a political peace in many parts of the world."

"I believe that this triple track towards peace is the realistic path to peace, and I believe that with the cooperation of President Obama and President Abbas, we can defy the skeptics," said the Israeli prime minister. "We can surprise the world. But there are two provisos that I think have to be said at this point. First, peace will not come without security. If we abandon security, we’ll have neither security nor peace. So I want to be very clear – we shall never compromise on Israel’s security. Second, for a final peace settlement to be achieved, the Palestinians must recognize Israel as the Jewish state. They must recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people," Netanyahu added.

AIPAC's conference was also addressed by Israel's President Shimon Peres, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and a foreign policy roundtable comprising Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA); Maj. Gen. Ido Nechustan, a commander in the Israeli Air Force; Dr. Robert Satloff, executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; and R. James Woolsey, a former director of the CIA.

One of the largest groups of campus elected officials ever assembled in Washington attended the 3-day AIPAC conference. Student Government Association (SGA) presidents from 193 campuses, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, joined national and state leaders of the College Democrats of America and College Republican National Committee for the conference.

The groups of young leaders were brought together for a banquet dinner on Saturday night. A number of current and former SGA presidents addressed them. State Rep. Bakari Sellers (D-SC), a former Morehouse College SGA president, presented the keynote address, which focused on his relationship with the pro-Israel political community in the United States.

"Through AIPAC, I broadened my awareness of an alliance of crucial value and became engaged on issues critical to both the United States and Israel, all while building enduring relationships that have significantly enhanced my life," Sellers said.

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