In 1999 we unilaterally withdrew from South Lebanon, allowing Hizbullah to set up its bases in our stead. A year later, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered the Palestinians 97 percent of the West Bank and 100 percent of the Gaza strip while agreeing to dismantle 63 settlements and accepting the idea that East Jerusalem neighborhoods would become the capital of a new Palestinian state. This, too, was rejected by the Palestinians. In 2005, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon unilaterally pushed through his disengagement plan that led to the expulsion of Jews from Gaza.
No we can’t trust you – at least not yet. Trust is earned. I teach my girls to pay little attention to words and close attention to deeds. My people have demonstrated by deed that we are willing to pay a high price for peace and security. On more than one occasion you have said you are committed to Israel’s security and will not tolerate a nuclear-capable Iran. Now it’s time to match your words with deeds. A two-state solution with the Palestinian people is of little relevance if Iran achieves its nuclear goals.
