Labor Party Security and Peace Plan

The text of the Labor Party resolution approved on Feb. 7, 2016, regarding a comprehensive security plan:

1. Introduction

A. For several months, Palestinian terror has haunted the citizens of Israel across the country. This wave of terror has taken the lives of dozens of civilians and wounded hundreds. Hostility and enmity between Israelis and Palestinians has worsened, and both leaders do not wish to take significant steps required of them to realize the vision of two states living side by side in peace. Despite rhetoric, Israel is moving towards a one Arab-Jewish state, meaning the end of the Zionist dream. Therefore, with the understanding that a full peace treaty is not, unfortunately, around the corner, and that it is not presently possibly to realise the vision of two states, we must take steps to begin separation from the Palestinians.

B: We reiterate our commitment to the two-state solution, while ensuring security for Israel. We will strive towards the process that will eventually end the conflict and for the realization of a final status agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, creating the conditions for ensuring the security and wellbeing of the State of Israel and its citizens, and preventing turning the West Bank into a terror base.

C: As long as no permanent agreement has been reached, Israel will take interim measures to ensure national security, while avoiding the reality of one Arab-Jewish state, and promoting the eventual realization of the two state vision.

D: National security is the top priority of Israel’s national interest at every level, and we are committed to Israel’s security, and that of its citizens. Among other means, one is the creation of physical and geographical separation between the two peoples. To clarify, the IDF will remain in all areas, and not withdraw.

2. Before reaching a permanent agreement – avoiding the realization of one state.

A: To ensure the future implementation of the vision of two states, and in light of the situation described above, we will work for Israel to refrain from taking measures which will prevent such implementation. In view of this, we are committed to separation between Israel and the Palestinians before reaching a final status agreement. Separation will preserve the Zionist vision, and stop the progression towards the reality of one state between the Jordan and the Mediterranean, which would lead to the loss of Israel’s Jewish identity.

B: To ensure the preservation of the principle of keeping the settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria by completing the security fence between them and the Palestinian territories to prevent infiltration of terrorists.

C: Israel must avoid construction outside of the settlement blocs, and implement the decision of the Israeli government in March 2001 regarding the evacuation of illegal outposts.

D: At the same time, while maintaining control over the security issue, Israel will transfer civil powers to the Palestinian Authority in the territories beyond the security fence, to allow improvement in the functioning of the authority, and  its ability to govern, leading to the improvement of the Palestinian economy and the PA’s ability to counter terrorist organizations (including to implement previous understandings in this regards to expand area B in Judea and Samaria).

E: As previously noted, the IDF will remain in every region to maintain security for as long as conflict continues.

3. Gaza.

A: Gaza must be a part of a final status solution. Any solution that does not include the Gaza Strip would be dangerous for the realization of the vision of two states. Therefore, we must act as much as possible for the accountability of the Palestinian Authority for the situation in the territory.

B: For this to be realised, steps must be taken to stabilize the current ceasefire and move decisively towards a political process to ease pressure on the people of Gaza, isolate Hamas and other terrorist organizations, and, leading towards demilitarisation in return for development for the region.

C: We steadfastly support any military action against terrorist organizations and terrorists that attempt to hurt Israeli citizens and sovereignty. This includes fighting terror tunnels with an iron first, as well as any other infrastructure aimed at harming Israeli citizens, and especially those living in the vicinity of Gaza.

4. Jerusalem.

A: Labor is committed to the unity of Jerusalem, creating and strengthening the capital of Israel and maintaining a Jewish majority in the city for future generations.

B: To this end, we will separate the scores of Palestinian villages surrounding the city, from Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries.

5: Security and the fight against terror. 

A: We reiterate our firm commitment to an uncompromising war on terror against terrorist organizations, their leaders and activists, and individual terrorists who seek to carry out terror attacks, and wish to thwart a two state solution.

B: We support the army and security forces in their actions in fighting terrorism and ensuring security.

C: Even after separation, the IDF will be the only army that operates between the Mediterranean and the Jordan.

D: We support the strengthening of military cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and every step that the security authorities will recommend to ease the security situation in Judea and Samaria.

6. Regional dialogue.

A: We see the inclusion of moderate state in the Middle East as an essential element of this process, mainly our immediate neighbours of Egypt and Jordan.

B: Israel should officially respond to the Arab Peace Initiative, and submit its comments and reservations about the initiative.

C: We will convene a regional security conference to formulate a plan that will work to eradicate radical Islam, and serve as a basis for future discussion and regional dialogue on the Israeli-Palestinian agreement.

7: Principles of a permanent agreement.

A: When the parties will begin negotiating on a final status agreement, it will be based on the principles adopted in the past by the Labor Party on the basis of the Clinton parameters of December 2000, and the understandings, measures and plans formulated since, initiated, among others, by MK Tzipi Livni, former Foreign Minister in charge of the negotiations, and the broad outline presented by MK Hillik Bar.

B: As part of a final status agreement, Israel will be recognized as the nation state of the Jewish people, and a Palestinian state as the nation state of the Palestinian people.

C: The permanent status agreements which will be reached between Israel and the Palestinians will be brought to a national referendum for approval.

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372 Responses

  1. I totally agree with you: It is strange,- perhaps even outrageous,- that after 50 years there is no official Israeli proposal for a Peace Agreement with the Palestinians. The reason for this appears to be a wish to make any return to a territorial status quo ante – impossible. Hence the Settlement enterprise. It would be interestring to learn if “Labour” has an answer for this?

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