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We regret the deaths of members of the Egyptian security forces during the terror attack on the Israeli-Egyptian border. The Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty has great importance and much strategic value for the stability of the Middle East.
This is a serious terror attack that took place in several locations. The incident shows the weakening Egyptian grip on Sinai and the widening operation of terrorists there. The source of these terror acts is in Gaza and we will act against them with full force.
I am familiar with that well-known equation: that if there were no settlements there would be a welfare state within Israel‘s borders. I am familiar with the worldview that maintains that if we cut the defense budget in half there will be money for education. It‘s a worldview with no connection to reality… it is simply not factually correct, even though it is now perceived as axiomatic. A school that is located in a settlement and has X number of students would be located inside the Green Line and have the same number of children at the same cost. I don‘t say that the settlements themselves did not cost more money. But even if the defense budget were cut in half, and even if the settlement costs were cut in half, the economic ideology that led us to them would not seek to divert the newly available funds to the service of the state.
The United States has articulated their position that they would veto such a resolution at the Security Council so if that is the case there is no way the Palestinians will become a new member of the United Nations. Then there is the General Assembly, a quest on the Palestinian side to upgrade their position…That upgrade will not change anything except in the United Nations itself.
I am willing to immediately start direct negotiations with him without preconditions. I am willing to invite him to my house in Jerusalem and I am willing to go to Ramallah.
We still believe there can be a chance to get the US not to veto [such a resolution]. Otherwise, the US will isolate itself with Israel. We are still in discussion and dialogue [with countries on this matter] including the US.