Binyamin Netanyahu became prime minister of Israel barely three months ago and already finds himself in an unexpectedly difficult position, torn between mounting US pressure for a Middle East peace deal and the loyalties of his rightwing coalition allies, many of whom oppose a Palestinian state. His key policy speech last night was an effort to navigate the difficult course between the two.
Netanyahu's message was mixed. On the one hand, he finally mentioned the prospect of a Palestinian state, although he said that could come only under strict conditions. On the other hand, he refused to meet US demands for a halt to settlement activity and insisted Palestinians must accept Israel as a Jewish state if a deal was to be achieved.
His words left some on both sides frustrated and still may not have done enough to prevent Israel sliding towards a serious diplomatic confrontation with Washington. "Netanyahu did not make any tangible concessions in his speech, nor pose any threat to his coalition," wrote Aluf Benn, a correspondent with the Ha'aretz newspaper.
The Palestinians were furious. Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, said Netanyahu had created new preconditions and that he seemed intent on setting a unilaterally dictated solution rather than a negotiated peace. "He announced a series of conditions and qualifications that render a viable, independent and sovereign Palestinian state impossible," he said.
He noted Netanyahu had not mentioned the Arab Peace Initiative, which first emerged in 2002, under which the Arab states offered Israel full diplomatic recognition in return for a Palestinian state in land Israel captured in 1967 with a capital in East Jerusalem and an agreed solution for refugees. Nor did Netanyahu mention the 2003 US Road Map, which also calls for a Palestinian state and a halt to settlement activity.
Mustafa Barghouti, a moderate Palestinian MP, said Netanyahu had not endorsed the creation of an independent Palestinian state. "He endorsed a ghetto," he said. "He endorsed a state that would be subject to Israeli control. Mr Netanyahu has proven that there is not partner for peace in Israel. His whole speech was about the consolidation of apartheid ... This will not lead to peace."
On the Israeli right, the reaction was just as sharp but for opposite reasons. Rightwing MPs were angry that Netanyahu had even countenanced a Palestinian state. Aryeh Eldad, of the National Religious party, which is in the ruling coalition, said he had broken his own promises.
"There is no such thing as a demilitarised state. Netanyahu knows very well that no political force on earth can prevent a country from arming itself or signing military treaties like any other country," he said.
Others were more cautious. Daniel Ben-Simon, a former journalist turned Labour party MP, said Netanyahu had taken a "big step" by mentioning a Palestinian state. "But we will have to see it on the ground. He will need to show the world that he means what he says," he said.
