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Interviewer, Sir David Frost: Mr. Ayalon, Thank you for joining us today, looking back on your Prime Minister's visit to Washington, and on the two main issue on which there is a disagreement between Israel and the United States, settlements and the two-state solution - as far as I could tell, in all the accounts I read, there was really no particular progress on either of these issues. They have agreed to disagree, haven't they?
Mr. Ayalon: Yes, I would say yes. Agreeing to disagree, but in a very respectful way, in a very friendly way, understanding the broader context of our shared values and our basic interests in the region which have not changed. On this issue of the Palestinians, I think here Mr. Netanyahu really came forward with a good faith approach of immediate negotiations with the Palestinians, with Abu Mazen. By the way, we have requested a meeting with Abu Mazen, but to no avail so far. But we have said we are ready to start without any preconditions and I emphasize Sir David - no preconditions... We are willing to start on a very intensive, multi approach, whereby there will be a security track, an economic track and also a political track. We do not want to procrastinate on that - and we would very much like to move forward.
Interviewer: So, on the two-state solution, that dialogue will concur it presumably?
Mr. Ayalon: Absolutely. And we have maintained in Washington was that more than a slogan, more than just, you know, the wording - the substance is much more important. And we are willing to very much work and help the Palestinians to build capacity so far as the security situation permits. Our policy is to open up everything, to really have a free flow and really bring up the economic level, all other aspects of life in the West Bank up to par to Israelis.
Interviewer: I know your feelings about Hamas, but those people who disagree with you, they'd say they are not a rogue regime; after all they won their election.
Mr. Ayalon: Well you know, this in also an interesting question because the Palestinian Authority was the only place in recent history where armed terrorist groups were allowed to run in the elections before disarming. If you look at other examples, whether it was in Iraq of recent, or Afghanistan, or even Bosnia, Sir David, all those who were eligible to run had to disarm, except here in the case of Hamas. And also unfortunately, unfortunately, when we analyze the results of the elections you know, the Fatah won the popular vote, however because of the districting issue and because of a lot of internal fighting among and between the Fatah members Hamas just got the upper hand, although they did not win the popular vote.
Interviewer: Now in terms of the settlements, the President said that in fact Israel had an obligation, according to the 2003 Road Map to Peace, to stop building settlements. He was passionate about stopping settlement. Would you agree with him about the 2003 obligation that Israel has?
Mr. Ayalon: Absolutely. Absolutely, and we have said since this government here in Israel was elected, we, in the tradition of the democratic process and the rule of law, yes, we must abide by former international obligations of all previous Israeli governments, including this issue of 2003 and the Road Map to Peace. However, the caveat here is that all the onus should not be put only on the Israeli side, whereby the Palestinians also have obligations which they are unwilling or even unable to take at this point. Certainly not in Gaza when Hamas just vows, and all you have to do is go into their websites and hear their rhetoric - they vow to exterminate, eliminate the State of Israel. So if we put it in the broader context, yes we are willing to take all the risks necessary - calculated risks of course. We are willing for political concessions, but they have to be mutual. And to frontload, or to put all the burden of the process just on the settlements is not right. We have proven in the past that the settlements will not be an obstacle to peace. In 2005, Ariel Sharon evacuated all settlements, 21 of them, from Gaza.
Interviewer: And you supported that?
Mr. Ayalon: And I supported that - absolutely yes.
Interviewer: In terms of Iran, Israel has made the point that it is not ruling out the military option, depending on what happens in the next few months. But apparently at the same time you said to President Obama that you wouldn't use a military option against Iran without consulting the United States.
Mr. Ayalon: Against Iran... Well absolutely. The United States is our best friend and ally. And I would say the golden rule of a relationship is always close consultations, coordination to the extent possible and no surprises. So we understand the ramifications on such a hypothetical approach. That would have far reaching ramifications all over the Middle East and even beyond. But we were satisfied to agree with the United States and President Obama that a nuclear capability for Iran is totally unacceptable and we will not allow it to happen. Hopefully, and there is still a chance to do it with peaceful means.
Interviewer: And sir what do you think about the candidates of the Iranian elections on the 12th of June? Do you have a candidate that you hope will win, out of the five? Or do you hope they will all lose?
Mr. Ayalon: (Laughs) I hope they all lose actually. I don't see much difference among them when it comes to foreign policy. Maybe they are considered, quote unquote, "moderate" in terms of some internal reforms, but when it comes to Iranian pernicious ambitions in the region and beyond, they are all the same.
Interviewer: Turning to President Obama's expected announcement when he visits Cairo on June 4th, what do Israelis hope from that speech - from Israel's point of view?
Mr. Ayalon: Well first of all I think it is a great opportunity to really build a new relationship between the United States and the entire Arab and Muslim world. So Israel's interest is that the US and the entire international community and the entire Muslim community will really live in harmony with peaceful coexistence. So I think this is a good chance to convey this to all the Muslims and Arabs in the Middle East and of-course throughout the world. I think this would be very important. Also I am sure and I know that since the Arab world is so much concerned with the Palestinian issue, we are as well. I think it will be an opportunity also for President Obama to convey to the Arab countries to join in, but also to take some actions in terms of normalizing relations with Israel, in terms of helping the Palestinian Authority economically. You know today, both the United States and the European communities are quite…under a lot of pressure economically and financially because of the economic meltdown. However countries in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia still have trillions and trillions of petrodollars, which if they just put a very, very... just a fraction of this towards building the Palestinian economy, that would be the greatest contribution from them towards peace.
Interviewer: Mr. Ayalon, thank you very much
Mr. Ayalon: Thank you so much Sir David.