Daniel Ayalon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Addressing the Conference of Presidents: "Israeli Arabs Cannot Hold Both Ends of the Stick"

"We have learnt how to defend against terrorism and now we are learning how to defend against verbal terrorism"

Jerusalem, 16 February, 2010 ...  Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel Ayalon, in his address to the Conference of Presidents annual leadership conference in Israel, thanked the Conference of Presidents for its many efforts for supporting Israel, especially in light of the increasing attempts at delegitimizing Israel. Deputy Minister Ayalon stressed that, regrettably, this global trend is reflected also from within Israel: "As a democratic state, we honestly believe in free speech, transparency and full disclosure – so long as it does not serve to preach hatred or endanger others. Israeli Arabs cannot hold both ends of the stick, on the one hand they call for the end of Israel as a Jewish State, and they call for a Palestinian state," Ayalon said. "There are Arab members of Knesset who were advisors to Arafat and now to Mahmoud Abbas. This is like US Members of Congress advising the Taliban!"

In reference to the Palestinian Authority's accusations against Israel in international forums, Ayalon said that though there should be no pre-conditions for negotiations to resume, Israel will certainly not sign an agreement until incitement in the Palestinian Authority stops. Ayalon pointed out that the Fatah Constitution still referred to the destruction of the State of Israel and at the recent Sixth Fatah Conference there were calls to return to terrorism and education to terrorism.

Referring to his recent experience speaking at the Oxford Union, the Deputy Foreign Minister said that Israel is developing a new policy to deal with such incidents. "The fact that they can shout 'Slaughter the Jews' tells you just what we are facing," Ayalon said. "This type of warfare is on a global scale, which is guided by the Palestinian Authority and Islamist groups. We are moving to put them on the defense and have decided to use deterrence by filming these events and passing the video from the Oxford Union to the British police who are investigating these incidents."

"We need to focus Jewish NGO's and organizations to this issue. They say 'Free Palestine' and try and prevent us from speaking, we say 'Free speech', Ayalon continued. "We have learnt how to defend against terrorism and now we are learning how to defend against verbal terrorism."

Deputy Minister Ayalon added, "We need to intensify Israel's international ties for a better perception of Israel and political understanding, as well as economic growth and other benefits."

In reference to Israel's relationship with the US and the joint effort at advancing regional stabilization, Deputy Minister Ayalon stated that Israel is on the same page with the US administration, mentioning the recent successful meetings with Senator Mitchell. "Though we have witnessed recent global developments and consequent changed priorities, we are working with the US and await the Palestinians to come forward." Ayalon also noted that Israel will have to pay the Palestinians with additional assets in order to achieve further progress.

Responding to a question regarding the US organization JStreet, Deputy Minister Ayalon stressed: "Though we do not have to agree with their ideology, it is important to understand that not only do they not represent the reality, they cannot claim to be a pro-Israel organization since they have bashed Israel on many occasions, such as their solicitations in Congress against Israel following the Goldstone report."