4) The Peace Process under the Olso framework is “a huge burden that we [the Likud] inherited and yet we have to maneuver very carefully to avoid losing power by being rash. You cannot turn a big ship around very quickly.” Yaalon praised Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for his ability to offer genuine, good faith negotiations to the Palestinian Authority (which the PA has unequivocally rejected) while maintaining Israel’s continued settlement and development of the whole Land of Israel, consistent with the values of the Likud Party.
5) Addressing the Iranian nuclear threat, Yaalon described three main lines of attack that can be effectively employed: First, complete diplomatic isolation from the international community (“Why is Ahmadinejad welcomed to speak at Columbia University in NYC?”). Secondly, crippling economic sanctions on Iran’s oil industry and Central Bank, as has already been approved by the EU, as well as the US House & Senate, “but not yet by the current US President.” Thirdly, Yaalon stated that there is a very credible military option–even with Israel acting alone–with a high probability of success in permanently halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Yet he cautioned, “it can be difficult to have a credible military option as a real deterrent when many voices within Israel itself are publicly saying that it is not.”
Finally, Yaalon said he was optimistic about Israel’s future. He believes in “the ultimate wisdom of the people,” irrespective of the current level of public political hubris. “We are awakening.”
