Ya'alon: Blue and White list 'moves aside' Palestinian issue

Former Israeli minister Moshe Ya’alon, whose Telem party forms part of the Blue and White election list, has told right-wing news site Arutz Sheva that the list has chosen not to focus on relations with the Palestinians, in its efforts to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power.

“We are saying in essence that we will continue to argue over left and right on the Palestinian issue,” Ya’alon declared. “You can see in the platform how we move aside the Israeli-Palestinian issue with formulations that reflect a broad agreement”, he added.

In addition to Telem, the main Blue and White list partners are the Benny Gantz-led Israel Resilience and Yair Lapid-led Yesh Atid parties.

Ya’alon stressed his right-wing credentials in the interview, stating: “I define myself as a security hawk. Not a fanatic in any direction. I am statesmanlike.”

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The former defence chief also attacked the Arab parties running in April’s election, saying that if it were up to him, he “would outlaw Balad”.

“The others are not Zionist and we do not talk to them,” he continued. “They will not be in our coalition.”