Cabinet approves opening diplomatic negotiations
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7/28/2013
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PM Netanyahu: “I believe that resuming the diplomatic
process at this time is important for the State of Israel both in order
to try to bring about an end to the conflict and given the complex
reality in our region, especially the security challenges from Syria and
Iran.”
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Israel Cabinet meeting
Copyright: GPO
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Israel Cabinet meeting (Photo: GPO)
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(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
At the weekly Cabinet meeting, today (Sunday, 28 July 2013):
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks:
"Today,
the Cabinet will discuss three subjects: Resuming the diplomatic
process with the Palestinians, the referendum law and authorizing a
ministerial committee on the issue of releasing prisoners.
I
believe that resuming the diplomatic process at this time is important
for the State of Israel both in order to try to bring about an end to
the conflict and given the complex reality in our region, especially the
security challenges from Syria and Iran.
Any settlement, should
one be achieved in the negotiations, will be submitted to a referendum.
It is important that every citizen have a direct vote on fateful
decisions such as these that will determine the future of the state.
Today,
we will authorize a ministerial team to determine the identity of the
prisoners that will be released after the opening of the diplomatic
process and in keeping with its progress. The team under my leadership
will include Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, Justice Minister Tzipi
Livni, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and Science,
Technology and Space Minister – and former ISA Director – Yaakov Peri.
This
moment is not easy for me. It is not easy for the ministers. It is not
easy especially for the families, the bereaved families, whose heart I
understand. But there are moments in which tough decisions must be made
for the good of the country and this is one of those moments."
The Cabinet approved the opening of diplomatic negotiations between the
State of Israel and the Palestinians in accordance with Prime Minister
Netanyahu's statement on the negotiations. The Cabinet also decided to
authorize a ministerial team (see above for its members), the work of
which will begin after the opening of the negotiations.
The
ministerial team will take all measures necessary for the release of 104
prisoners in the framework of the negotiations between Israel and the
Palestinians, only after the negotiations will have begun and in
accordance with their progress, according to the conditions, criteria,
dates and groups to be set by the team, including publicly listing their
names.
The State of Israel reserves to itself the right to take
all measures against any of the prisoners who will be released should
they return to terrorism or violate the terms of their release, in
addition to returning them to serve the remainders of their sentences,
as will be decided upon by the proper authorities.
Prime Minister
Netanyahu thanks US Secretary of State John Kerry for his efforts to
bring about the resumption of the diplomatic negotiations between Israel
and the Palestinians.
Given the urgency that the Government
ascribes to advancing the draft Basic Law: Referendum and in accordance
with Article 63 of the Government's work bylaws, the Cabinet decided to
forego the distribution of a memorandum and today approved the wording
of the draft law. As per Article 81 of the Knesset bylaws, the the Cabinet requests that the Knesset House Committee bring forward the discussion of the draft law.
PM Netanyahu: "Any settlement, should one be achieved in the
negotiations, will be submitted to a referendum. It is important that every
citizen have a direct vote on fateful decisions such as these that will
determine the future of the state."
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