Livni: Realignment wasn't on Kadima platform
Foreign minister says during London visit that realignment was only possible means to promote two-state vision. Says 'a unilateral move is not an ideology.' Goldwasser family meets with Cheri Blair who promises to help
The realignment plan is a unilateral move she said, and unilateral moves are not an ideology.
Livni met earlier in the day with her British counterpart Margaret Beckett, the two then held a joint press conference. Livni said during the conference that messages of compromise are interpreted incorrectly by Hamas, Iran and Syria and that in light of this fact the international community must take a determined and unambiguous stand against extremists, including Europe.
There is a genuine global desire for a meeting between Olmert and Abbas said Livni, adding that Israel sees no reason why such a meeting should not take place.
She did however say that the meeting would have to result in an outcome of some sort and that Abbas is aware of the fact that as long as Cpl. Gilad Shalit is being held captive Israel cannot release Palestinian prisoners as such an act would be interpreted as gesture towards Hamas.
Therefore, Livni said, the focus right now should be on forming a new Palestinian government. Some progress was made, she said, but unfortunately Khaled Mashaal is dictating conditions that are preventing the process from moving forward.
"We are interested in providing an answer to the Palestinian's national needs, and that answer is a Palestinian state," said Livni as she addressed what she called the 'refugee error'. Livni said that Israel agreed to put the refugee issue on the agenda during the Oslo accords and Camp David talks, an issue which undermines the legitimacy of the state of Israel.
Hope from Cherie
Meanwhile PM Tony Blair's wife Cherie met in London with family members of kidnapped soldier Ehud Goldwasser who were invited to participate in the reception held in Livni's honor at the home of Israeli ambassador Tzvi Hefetz. Livni also arranged for the family to meet FM Beckett.
Ehud's mother Mickey Goldwasser said that the family was encouraged by their meeting with Mrs. Blair and that Minister Beckett was "attentive and sympathetic."
"Our goal is to make our voices heard and raise awareness of the dangers of terrorism through our personal story. This is our message, and through this awareness we hope they will work towards getting our son back. We want to see a proof of life, which we hope to get with the help of countries who make humanitarian contributions to Lebanon. Proof of life is also a humanitarian gesture."
