Bennett: Idea of Palestinian state is pointless
Speaking at Yesha Council meeting, economy minister says two-state solution reached dead end and must be put behind us. 'We need to build, build, build,' he says
Economy Minister and chairman of the Habayit Hayehudi Party Naftali Bennett proclaimed Monday that the two-state solution had reached a dead end.
"Never has so much time been invested in something so pointless," he said. "We need to build, build, build. If the money spent on caviar in cocktail parties dealing with the idea of a Palestinian state would have been used for building interchanges (in the territories) – everything would be different."
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Speaking at a Yesha Council meeting in Jerusalem, Bennett said, "There has never been a Palestinian state here. We need to change our conception and say we're here because it's our home. We need to start thinking about how we conduct ourselves from now on, with that concept behind us."
The minister also commented on statements made by Yesh Atid MK Ofer Shelah who harshly slammed Israel's policy in the West Bank last week.
Shelah said the West Bank settlements pose an obstacle to a peace agreement. "The occupation corrupts Israeli society, the IDF , Israeli justice, Israeli media, Israeli psyche and Israeli mode of speech," he claimed.
"Thinking the world will get used to this situation is similar to what white people used to say in South Africa."
Bennett said in response, "Those who dare say that the occupation corrupts and talk about occupation all day, what occupation are they talking about? How can you be an occupier in your own home? This is our home."
Bennett was echoing statements recently made by Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon.
Last week, Danon said that Israel's government will oppose the two-state solution and do everything in its power to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The remarks sparked a firestorm of controversy, and prompted condemnation by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni .
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