“My basic assumption is that we are a small, magnificently accomplished Jewish country, located in the heart of an Arab, and mostly hostile, Middle East. In order to establish our existence and enhance our chances of survival, we have to derive most of our actions from this point of view. Reconciliation with the Palestinians is not a process that we are coerced by the U.S. and Europe to undertake. We must view this process as having existential value because it guarantees our future despite the unbearable geostrategic circumstances.

Representatives of the Right can claim that this is the classic debate between the Right and the Left and that their perspective is different. If this is the case, however, then the Right must present its long-term alternative, something which it has never done.

I believe that the leaders of the Right have pondered the long term issues and have come up with a laconic answer. “Israel wants peace but the Arab world refuses.” This is a commentary, not an answer based on leadership. It ignores the fact that intrinsically there is no symmetry between Israel and the Arab world.”

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