Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman warned that the United States is expected to recognize a Palestinian state within approximately two years, claiming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is aware of the move and is working to advance it.
Speaking at a recent conference at Reichman University’s Shabtai Shavit World Summit on Counterterrorism, Liberman accused Netanyahu of deliberately letting the process move forward, saying that by the time it happens, “he will no longer be prime minister.”
“The Netanyahu family's approach is that if Bibi is not prime minister, then let this country burn,” Liberman said.
According to him, the alleged Palestinian state would encompass “all of Judea and Samaria, the Jordan Valley, Gaza, and east Jerusalem. And this is something that will be almost impossible to reverse.”
Previously, The Jerusalem Post reported on Yisrael Beytenu's proposal for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including handing Jordan the responsibility for public order and the day-to-day lives of Palestinians in Areas A and B of the West Bank, while Israel retains territorial contiguity and security responsibility.
Yisrael Beytenu’s plan also calls for dismantling the Palestinian Authority and canceling the Oslo Accords.
Liberman stated that he had, earlier this week, spoken with US State Department and the National Security Council officials and that “everyone, across the board, supports recognition of a Palestinian state."
"I am telling you with 200% certainty, the Americans will lead a resolution in the [United Nations] Security Council, and the Palestinians will become a state in every sense of the word, a full member of the UN."
He also warned that the Palestinians are preparing for an “all-out confrontation” against Israel, claiming that its first stage would take place at the Palestinian Authority elections scheduled for November.
Further, he criticized Israel's lack of preparedness and accused Netanyahu of pursuing a policy of avoiding proactive measures.
"I am telling you that Netanyahu is acting to bring about a Palestinian state and wants one to be established,” he said. “Because through inaction and restraint, when we take no initiative whatsoever, we will have no grounds for complaint."
“I am telling you, if Netanyahu thinks I am wrong, he is welcome to file a complaint against me, sue me in court, and I pledge to waive my parliamentary immunity at that very moment."
He added that he does not believe that there would be a recognition of a Palestinian state under US President Donald Trump’s tenure, "but we must use these two years to prevent the disaster."
Netanyahu a ‘burden to Trump,' dismantled US-Israel ties, Liberman tells ‘Post'
In July, Liberman told the Post that Netanyahu had dismantled Israel’s relationship with the United States and had become a “burden” to Trump.
“Trump wants to distance himself from him [Netanyahu]. The relationship has become a burden, and it is already hurting him in the upcoming US midterm elections," Liberman said at the time.
Liberman told the Post that the US president has “understood that he had given too much,” and was being harmed by Netanyahu “both electorally and politically.”
“This is also a severe blow to Israel’s standing in American public opinion,” Liberman added. “There has never been such a negative attitude. The more Gaza declines, the more Israel’s image declines as well.”
When asked whether he would say no to Trump if he were prime minister, Liberman did not hesitate.
“I would,” he said. “I’ve been involved in the leadership of this country for about 20 years, and Israel has already weathered some of its toughest disputes with the United States.”
“With all due respect, we need to act. We are still a sovereign country. We are not a banana republic.”
Keshet Neev contributed to this report.