By Israel Minister of Education Yuli Tamir
INTERVIEW WITH YULI TAMIR, ISRAELI MINISTER OF EDUCATION (LABOR), DISCUSSING THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS PROPOSED BY THE ARAB LEAGUE (IBA RESHET BET RADIO, 07:10 (GMT+3) APRIL 19, 2007)
Translated from Hebrew
Q: It seems that the foreign ministers of both Jordan and Egypt are soon to visit us here as emissaries of the League of Arab Nations. The government is giving its blessing on the occasion, and the Prime Minister calls it a step in the right direction. The question is if this Arab initiative will result in a basis for negotiations?
MS. TAMIR: I believe it will. It seems to me that today we are witnessing an initiative that is widely supported in the Arab world. This is very significant since it is not coming from one source alone, but from various Arab sources. Therefore, there is quite a good chance that this initiative will be able to provide a basis for Israeli-Arab negotiations that will be focused not on one issue only, but will consider the total spectrum of issues. It may not be able to provide the path to an overall settlement in the distant future, but it can definitely provide an arena for meaningful talks in the near future.
Q: Is this government of which you are a member reacting properly to this initiative?
MS. TAMIR: I believe so. In my opinion the acceptance of this idea and a willingness to talk, and the optimism that the Prime Minister is giving off to the public, reflects a willingness and a proper evaluation of the situation.
Q: Is the initiative presented to Israel acceptable to other members of the government? Isn’t this initiative being presented to us as an ultimatum? Either we are going to have to accept it in its entirety, or nothing will be achieved.
MS. TAMIR: For years we have been more or less familiar with the Arab world’s and the Palestinian requirements for an agreement. They are well known and we have been familiar with the issues for over 20 years. They haven’t changed during that time, nor will they change in the future. The Arabs, of course, have presented their point of view. We will present our point of view. Any move of this nature will begin with negotiations and will turn into a process in which we and our Arab interlocutors mutually define which goals are achievable.
Q: Isn’t it possible that a conflict between the two sides in the negotiations might develop into a breakdown of the process?
MS. TAMIR: Both sides will do their best to understand and consider each other’s needs, limitations and the possible future outline (of an agreement). This outline has been previously drawn up more than once. There is nothing new about it besides a willingness to move forward towards the known and the familiar, in order to implement it.
Q: Do you believe that an agreement might be reached between Israel and the Arab League nations on the subject of the refugees right of return to their homes abandoned in 1948, considering the known fact that Hamas does not buy into this Arab initiative?
MS. TAMIR: Certainly. I was party to several such initiatives during the past that drew up an outline. Whether to accept that outline or not is a whole different issue, but there were agreements in the past that were difficult to reach. I am confident that we will be able to arrive at desirable results in the future.
Q: Such as?
MR. TAMIR: Monetary compensation and accepted arrangements for settling refugees in other locations throughout the world, including the newly-established Palestinian State. I think that today it is clear to the Arab world that Israel is here to stay, and if an arrangement is to be reached, it must be one that will respect Israel’s boundaries and demography.
Q: Would it also include a withdrawal to the 1967 borders, including of course Jerusalem?
MS. TAMIR: I think that there can be no solution or arrangement that does not include a significant territorial withdrawal —
Q: Significant? They demand a total withdrawal!
MS. TAMIR: Yes, but you must consider that we are in the beginning phase. You would not expect that ‘right off the bat’. It is the beginning of a negotiation process. Each side will (eventually) declare where they are willing to compromise. Everyone will naturally declare on what it is unwilling to compromise. However, I am glad that this time we are able to deal with these issues by means of a dialogue, and not by means of war.
Q: And this government with Ehud Olmert as its prime minister, who publicly admitted his own unpopularity – does this government have the power to see this mission through?
MS. TAMIR: I think that the people of Israel are so much in a need of an arrangement, of a political process, that whoever brings about such a process will (be able to) reclaim his status as a leader.
Throughout the years, and there have been much more difficult years than the present, there were attempts at negotiations, where the rewards were peace and getting out of this vicious circle of wars. They have had wide public support. This will not happen in a day or two, however it is a step in the right direction, which the Israeli public will come to appreciate.
Q: Minister of Education Yuli Tamir, I thank you.
