Netanyahu urged to take tough stance during US visit
Minister Shalom tells Likud convention PM's trip to Washington crucial because 'US is our greatest ally,' but adds that ruling party 'waved the flag of settlement, in case anyone has forgotten.' Knesset Speaker Rivlin calls on Netanyahu to tell Obama and Clinton 'Next Year in Jerusalem'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is set to depart for the US Sunday night ahead of reconciliatory talks with Obama Administration officials, is facing growing pressure from home to take a tough stance regarding construction in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.
"One year ago we took up the reins of government when we received the trust of the voter and presented our path," Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom told a Likud convention in Tel Aviv Sunday.
"We waved the flag of settlement, in case anyone has forgotten. They told the prime minister to recognize the two-state solution, then to freeze construction, then to start negotiations. (But) there are no negotiations. There was a party (Kadima) that took that road – it's now in the opposition. Are we in government in order to implement their platform? When you stick with your principles, you succeed," he said.
Hundreds of Likud activists, as well as heads of Jewish communities in the West Bank, attended the gathering.
"(The PM's) trip is very important because the US is our greatest ally. There can be anger, but at the end of the day the relations with the US and the entire international community can be different," Shalom said, while stressing that Netanyahu has the Likud's full support regarding the resumption of West Bank settlement construction on September 26, 2010, when the 10-month building freeze declared by the government expires.
"I hope that in light of the PM's statement regarding Jerusalem he will appoint a minister in charge of Jerusalem affairs immediately upon his return from the US," said Shalom, who also serves as minister of the development of the Negev and Galilee.
'Next Year in Jerusalem'
Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting Sunday morning that "Israel's message during the visit to the US will be sharp and clear. Our policy on Jerusalem is like the policy in the past 42 years (since the capital was united after the Six Day War).
"As far as we are concerned, building in Jerusalem is like building in Tel Aviv, and we have made this clear to the Americans," said the PM.
Minister Shalom also called on the US to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem "as soon as possible," adding that such a move would "strengthen Jerusalem and boost the chances of achieving peace."
According to him, Netanyahu is travelling to the US "with a mandate from the entire Jewish nation to protect Jerusalem for all eternity."
Shalom also told the convention that the Palestinian Authority is not interested in resuming peace negotiations.
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said during the Likud event, "There are things that must be explained to the world quite simply: Jerusalem will not be included in any negotiation. Whoever questions Jerusalem, questions Israel's existence.
"Prime minister, tell (US President Barack) Obama and (Secretary of State Hillary) Clinton: 'Next Year in Jerusalem'," he said.
