Jerusalem, 15 May 2000
PM Barak's Statement at Cabinet Meeting regarding Abu-Dis
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Following are Prime Minister Ehud Barak's remarks at the beginning of
today's Cabinet meeting:
"We are in the midst of a diplomatic process whose goal is to
strengthen Israel and its security. In any future settlement,
Jerusalem will remain united as Israel's eternal capital. They [the
Palestinians] will be in Abu-Dis and we will be in united Jerusalem.
We are committed to moving forward toward a peace agreement that will
be 1,000 times better than any alternative.
The nature of the reality which will be created here if we do not
find the wisdom to reach agreements is clear to all of us. We are
charged with an historic and national responsibility to effect a
separation in the Land of Israel, they will be 'there' and we will be
'here'.
What we are submitting today is not the transfer of additional
territory to the Palestinian authority but merely a change in the
status of 0.25% of Area B - which is under Palestinian civil control
- to Area A. This decision is diplomatic but it is also correct from
a security perspective. It is clear that taking the direct route to
the third redeployment will increase the chance of impasse and
deterioration. We propose going towards a framework agreement.
We have no interest in annexing 30,000 Palestinians to Jerusalem or
Israeli sovereignty. Experience has shown us that every transfer of
this kind has served our security well. In 1992, there were 2,400
attacks in Judea and Samaria; in 1999, there were only 140.
The entire move strengthens the diplomatic process, strengthens our
position in Jerusalem and strengthens our security. Even around this
table, there have been periods in which various governments did not
see the reality, stuck their heads in the sand and were later obliged
to cope with a more bitter reality. Our historic responsibility is to
make decisions, based on a sober view of reality and while guarding
our vital interests - strengthening our security, effecting a
separation with the Palestinians and preserving the unity of
Jerusalem."