Mofaz Urges Netanyahu to Set Aside His Ego

Israeli Knesset Member Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "set aside his ego" and do whatever is necessary to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Speaking at a Tuesday memorial service for slain Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Mofaz said that "It is time to rise above political and coalitional considerations, set aside one's ego and do whatever is necessary to find a suitable political solution for this bloody conflict, which has claimed countless lives on both sides."

Striking “peace” with the Palestinians, he added, is an Israeli interest: "It seems that Israel's top priority is maintaining its Jewish and democratic nature, which is exactly why an agreement with the Palestinians is crucial."A practical agreement is an interim one, on borders and security; while we keep negotiating the other issues of the permanent arrangement, and take a close look at their realization," he said.

Mofaz further urged "the Israeli government and the Palestinian leadership to overcome their fixations and work towards the foundation of a demilitarized Palestinian state, as a stepping stone to permanent arrangement."The international community and the Arab world must support this vision vehemently, and assist both sides in overcoming obstacles. I expect both to come together and aid in this historic move, the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and striking regional peace."

"As one who sees himself as a leader, a captain of peace and security, who wishes to go down in history as such, you should take real action," the former defense minister called on Netanyahu. "I call on Netanyahu and Abu Mazen to follow in the footsteps of Jordan and Egypt and relinquish all peace talks' preconditions. Together, we can achieve peace, which is the sweetest victory of all."