It is not an uncommon occurrence when plans to solve the conflict with the Palestinians are presented in the Knesset, but it is unprecedented when several diplomatic alternatives are raised in one afternoon by the Right.
That's what is set to happen on Tuesday in a conference entitled "Alternatives to the Two-State Outlook." The event, organized by Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely, was purposely timed to coincide with the aftermath of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's meeting with US President Barrack Obama.
"We are in a situation where Obama is presenting a diplomatic plan when it is clear to everyone that the two-state solution failed," Hotovely said. "Israel must have a deep debate and present an alternative, so the world will know that the two-state solution is not inevitable."
Diplomatic plans are to be presented at the conference by Vice Premier Moshe Ya'alon, Shas head Eli Yishai, Israel Beiteinu faction chairman Robert Ilatov and Adi Mintz, the former director-general of the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip.
But left-wing figures will also speak, including Labor rebel MK Yuli Tamir. Retired general Giora Eiland will also present two diplomatic alternatives from a security perspective.
"We wanted the Left to come, because we wanted it to be a debate and not a monologue," Hotovely said. "But we on the Right have an obligation to come up with our own plan. If Yossi Beilin, who was just a regular MK, can have influence with his Geneva Initiative, we can do the same on the Right."
Hotovely emphasized that the event was not intended to undermine Netanyahu but rather to support him, after he "stuck to his principles in Washington and didn't give in to Obama." She called "even more absurd than complimentary" allegations by Kadima that one of the reasons Netanyahu did not make concessions in Washington was his fears of an internal Likud rebellion from the likes of Hotovely.
According to one report, Netanyahu overcompensated for the perceived threat of a Likud rebellion, just as he was seen as conceding too much during coalition talks with Israel Beiteinu and Labor and budget talks with the Histadrut.
Sources close to Netanyahu said it was "way too early" for him to have to factor in threats to his coalition when he considered his diplomatic moves. MKs who spoke to Netanyahu on Thursday said he "did not feel any political pressure from one side of his coalition or the other."
But Likud MKs said Netanyahu did need to be cautious due to the large anti-Palestinian state majority in the Likud faction and in his coalition. MK Danny Danon said the conference was intended to give a voice to that silent majority.
"We need to come out of the closet and say that we are proud to be anti-Palestinian state," Danon said. "The Israeli public understands the damage of a Palestinian state but is not aware of other alternatives. A Palestinian state cannot and will not be formed in the present coalition. Bibi can remove an outpost but he cannot advance a Palestinian state. That is a matter of principle that would break up his coalition."
Front Page Features