BICOM

Finance Minister and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid yesterday opposed the views of Jewish Home leader, Naftali Bennett, who said earlier this week that the two-state solution is at a “dead end.”

Bennett told a meeting of the Yesha settlers’ council that “The idea that a Palestinian state will be formed in the land of Israel has come to a dead end,” and that “We need to move on.” Yesh Atid released a statement in the immediate aftermath in support of a two-state solution, but yesterday Yair Lapid himself spoke about Bennett’s views in a Channel Two interview. Lapid said, “I think he’s wrong … Israel should strive for peace on the basis of two states for two peoples, and even though it is difficult we must not give up and have to try again and again.” He further warned, “Not having two states means that Israel would be a bi-national state, which would be the end of Zionism.” Lapid and Bennett became close allies during coalition negotiations earlier this year despite their divergent views on the peace process.

In a related development, it was confirmed yesterday that US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Israel, the Palestinian areas of the West Bank and Jordan during a visit from 27-29 June, late next week. The visit will be Kerry’s fifth trip to the region since March as he attempts to kick-start talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Lapid addressed other issues yesterday too, speaking at a Jerusalem conference to mark the ninetieth birthday of President Shimon Peres. Lapid said that the widespread participation of the ultra-Orthodox community in the workforce is not only necessary but will fuel Israel’s economic growth, commenting “If we want to create an economy based on innovation and creativity, their [ultra-Orthodox] entry into the labour force is a shot in the arm.”