Israel Is Here To Stay

KLAIDMAN: Is the violence over the last two weeks proof that Oslo was fatally flawed?

NETANYAHU: It’s proof that [Yasir] Arafat has not kept the fundamental promise undertook at Oslo to renounce the use of violence permanently.

Can Arafat control the violence?

Without a doubt. I’ve seen him turn it on and off like a faucet.

Can Arafat ever be a viable partner for peace?

He’s a partner for peace the way North Korea’s a partner for peace. At the very minimum you trust and verify, if I can borrow a phrase. The fundamental basis of peace is first the achievement of non-belligerency for a long period of time. But a cold peace is a hell of a lot better than a hot war. The only kind of peace that will hold is an armed peace in which the Palestinians will know that Israel is here to stay.

That wasn’t Barak’s philosophy going into Camp David?

I think since we’re still in a state of emergency, it’s not the time to stress the differences I have with Mr. Barak.

Was it a mistake to make such far-reaching concessions at Camp David, offering parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinians, ceding the strategic Jordan Valley to them?

I think the Palestinians may have perceived, incorrectly in my judgment, that the people of Israel are weak, that we have lost our national will. The recent events should be a wake-up call to the Arab world that Israel will not willingly submit to its destruction.

Is there an alternative to Arafat as peace partner?

It’s not for us to decide onthe Palestinian leadership.

Is this the lowest moment since the beginning of the Oslo process?

Yes. All masks have been dropped. The mask of Palestinian intentions and tactics, which are extremist and, unfortunately, also the masks of some of the extremists in the Arab community in Israel. It has been a sobering experience for Israelis.

Are you ready to jump back into politics?

The question is not my future right now; it’s not something that I don’t contemplate, but this is not what has prompted my speaking out. I haven’t made my decision yet, but I will.

I understand you sometimes go into Internet chat rooms anonymously to debate Arab Web surfers.

Yes. You usually hear the traditional party lines, but on occasion you see quite an interesting departure, but they’re invariably anonymous.

Do you have a code name?

Yes, but I won’t tell you.