Israel Labour leader says two-state solution will preserve ‘Jewish spirit of our nation’

Israeli Labour leader Avi Gabbay described the two-state solution as necessary to preserve “the Jewish spirit of our nation”, speaking at a conference organised by the Jerusalem Post yesterday.

In remarks reported by Arutz Sheva, Gabbay praised the decision by the Trump administration to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv.

The Labour party chair said that he understood the “two-state solution for two peoples” as “the solution” for Israel’s security, and one that would “keep Israel democratic” while “enabling us to keep the Jewish spirit of our nation”.

“I believe in separation,” Gabbay said. “Such a separation will ensure our security and that of our grandchildren. I don’t believe in saying in advance what we will give. We should have no preconditions, but we have to build trust. If we don’t build trust, there is almost no probability for successful negotiations afterwards.”

According to Gabbay, “stopping the incitement” in the Palestinian Authority is essential, since “this is the major obstacle [preventing] the trust of Israelis in the peace process”.

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