“We have a different vision, and as hard as you try, you will not be able to kill it. The two state vision isn’t dead. But it won’t happen tomorrow, certainly not as long as you, Mr. Netanyahu and [Mahmoud Abbas] are afraid to make a move. Therefore, I am determining that what we can achieve today is security for the citizens of Israel and separation between us and the Palestinians, with actions rather than talk,” Herzog, who is also leader of the opposition, stated.
“The world’s countries want to impose on us a forced agreement of Israel along the 1967 borders. Is this what you want? The messianic people in the radical right want to annex territories and bring millions of Palestinians to the State of Israel. Did anyone say ‘right of return’? This is precisely the plan of the messianic people.”
“As an alternative to your failed ideas, I suggest that you seriously examine the separation plan I have tabled, which is generating a lot of interest in Israel and the world,” Herzog said.
Meretz Chairwoman Zehava Galon also responded to Netanyahu’s remarks, saying “the terror wave that has been wreaking havoc here over the past few months is proof of the collapse of the notion that the conflict can be managed. What solution are you proposing? To surround ourselves with fences? To annex 150,000 Palestinians? Where’s the security? When will the moment come when Israelis and Palestinians will stop being murdered?
“We are paying the price for your cowardly policy, which assumed that we can continue life here as usual when millions of Palestinians are under occupation and without rights. And the prime minister gets [support] from the opposition leader, who is also giving up on the two-state solution,” she said.