Ya'alon: Palestinian problem insoluble

Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon: We're seeing a once-in-a-century event: 
the collapse of the Arab nation-state.

by Shiri Dover
December 8, 2013 
Globes

"We're in a world surrounded by storms. The Middle East is boiling," 
said Minister of Defense Moshe Ya'alon at the gala evening of the 
"Globes" 2013 Israel Business Conference on Saturday evening.

"We face many challenges," said Ya'alon, "but when looking at the 
upheavals and our close borders, the security situation has been 
relatively stable lately. The Golan Heights are quiet and blooming, 
the situation in the south has improved, there is deterrence against 
the Gaza Strip, but this should not be taken for granted. There is 
no question this is a once-in-a-century event: the collapse of the 
Arab nation-state. When delving into this, you realize that the 
nation-state did not suit a tribal country like Libya, or a sectarian 
state like Iraq."

Ya'alon continued, "In the north, Syria is in the midst of a civil war, 
the end of which we cannot see, even if the regime is saying that 
it is gaining strength, on the ground it is losing day by day. 
We see this in Damascus and in Aleppo. Assad control less than 40%. 
There is no question that the threat from Syria has diminished, 
but there are other threats. There are al-Qaeda elements, and there 
are moderate Sunnis in many countries.

Ya'alon said that, for Israel, the red lines in the Syrian civil war were 
"preventing the transfer of chemical weapons and the violation of 
Israeli sovereignty on the Golan Heights. There was an incident 
yesterday. I advise all the parties on the Golan Heights not to test us."

Ya'alon hinted that Iran was a common enemy of Israel and Saudi Arabia, 
saying, "The situation creates opportunities. There are many common 
interests here - the Shia axis as a common enemy, and so on. 
There is a common denominator. I wish to look at two issues on 
this point. There is the Israeli-Palestinian issue. We've heard that this 
is a major source of instability in the Middle East and that it should be 
solved as quickly as possible. We wonder if it is really a source of 
instability in the Middle East. It's one thing if that were said three years ago, 
but we have no border with Iran, for example. Nonetheless, some people 
think that if we settle this with a territorial compromise, we'll have peace. 
As someone who supported the Oslo Accords, I don’t believe that we have a partner.

"The dispute exists, but the question is, what is this dispute. 
Is it only territorial? Gentlemen, there is no leadership on the other side 
that was prepared to recognize our right. There is no leadership there 
if were we to reach a territorial compromise, they would accept it. 
Is it a lost cause? We say, no. It's good that we separated politically. 
They chose to separate, Gaza and Judea and Samaria. We're ready with 
the Palestinian Authority, but let it be clear, we won't discuss one inch 
if they do not agree to our right to national existence and forego the 
right of return. Without that, what can we do? Operate on the salami principle?

"That is why the issue is insoluble. But progress is possible: economics, 
governance, law. When will I be convinced? I'll look at their textbooks. 
When they stop teaching to wear bomb belts, when Tel Aviv appears 
on the map, then there will be something to talk about. It's much more 
complicated. That is why we also talk about security. Security begins 
with education, in recognizing our right to exist. But we too have those 
who have to be shown the way."

As for Iran, Ya'alon said, "If you're seeking the source of instability in the 
Middle East, it is the regime in Tehran. No one mentions that it's a 
revolutionary regime. We're the small Satan, the US is the Great Satan. 
This is the cause of instability.

"When I say that I'm optimistic, people laugh. I'm optimistic about the 
future of the country. I know what we had, what my grandparents' 
generation had, and what I will bequeath to my grandchildren. 
Not everything is solvable. It seems that it is necessary to examine 
things on the way, and we seem to be exploiting time in our favor. 
I'm optimistic because no can take away the sources of our strength. 
True, we found gas… everything we've had until now was based on 
knowledge and spirit. High tech, investment in spirit, in values. 
That is the source of power and military power is based on this. 
That is why when you discuss business in Israel, I hope that you will 
raise new ideas for strengthening the economy and soundness. 
The money we'll first invest in education, then in defense."