Reactions to the Mofaz Peace Plan

Two weeks ago, Defense Minister MK Shaul Mofaz announced a new peace plan which involves the creation of a Palestinian state with temporary borders as the first stage to negotiations for a two-state solution. His newly-formulated plan elicited many different reactions. Following is a summary of some key responses.

Haaretz reports on the importance of the existence of Mofaz’s plan, rather than the exact details of it, saying it could convince Netanyahu to come up with an actual plan of his own in response to get the peace process moving again.

Netanyahu's colleagues in the coalition and the opposition have, like him, refrained from unveiling peace plans, with the hackneyed explanation that Israel has no negotiating partner. Then MK Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) comes along this week and proposes a plan for establishing a Palestinian state gradually on "most of the territories" captured in 1967. Mofaz, as a former defense minister and army chief of staff, is aware of the military and demographic dangers facing Israel and sees a solution in the evacuation of the settlements and the setting up of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. He is a far cry from other politicians in his willingness to talk with Hamas. Mofaz's proposal is not perfect. Its feasibility is in doubt and it's hard to find a Palestinian counterpart who would, at the start of the negotiations, recognize Israeli sovereignty over West Bank communities such as Ariel and Ma'aleh Adumim, as the Mofaz plan provides. The plan's details are less important, however, than the very existence of the initiative, which poses a challenge to Netanyahu and his government and stimulates public debate. This is the opposition's classic role in a democratic system. It's what Yossi Beilin did when he proposed the Geneva Initiative as a recipe for breaking the diplomatic stalemate when Ariel Sharon was prime minister.

Baruch Leshem at Ynet claims that Mofaz’s peace initiative is a maneuver to position himself in the next race for Prime Minister in Israel.

Mofaz, who launched his peace offensive, also launched a war against Tzipi Livni for Kadima’s premiership. His problem is that despite being a political veteran, he has not yet formulated what media researchers refer to as an esthetic image in the political-television theater. This is the added value that stirs anticipation and excitement around a politician, stemming from the way his personality and not just actions is conveyed through the media. Mofaz’s diplomatic plan elicited broad public support according to a weekend poll. His problem is that the other politicians in the race may adopt this plan, a move that would leave him without a unique status to boast.

Mofaz’s plan has spurred much debate as to the role of Hamas in negotiations. Opposition Chair Kadima MK Tzipi Livni drew on Mofaz’s statements regarding negotiations with Hamas to criticize his plan.

Opposition chair Tzipi Livni said on Monday that fellow Kadima member Shaul Mofaz's initiative to talk to the Hamas could be dangerous for Israel.

"I believe that any direct or indirect dialogue with the Hamas is dangerous for Israel," Livni said at a meeting with Kadima Knesset members.

Livni said that the only solution to the Middle East conflict is to sit down at the negotiation table with the moderate parties.

Gil Hoffman of the Jerusalem Post reported on Mofaz’s reactions to criticism of his plan:

Former defense minister Shaul Mofaz accused his political enemies on Wednesday of twisting the diplomatic plan he presented on Sunday as if it was focused only on talking to Hamas.

… Mofaz denied any intention of speaking to Hamas leaders unless they accepted all the conditions of the Quartet, which include recognizing Israel, disarming terrorists and accepting all the agreements signed with Israel in the past. He said he would only meet with representatives of the terror organization if they decided to turn a new leaf after a victory in the January 24 Palestinian election.

"Those who oppose me politically took what I said about Hamas and made it as if it was the focus of my plan," Mofaz said. "In the past I have talked to Hamas via Apache helicopters [used to kill Hamas leaders Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi when he was defense minister]. But Hamas could come to power. And if it does, they will have to decide whether to continue what they call defiance or take the opportunity to have a state and build its foundations as a non-terrorist state."

Jamal Nazzal, a member of Fatah also criticized Mofaz’s plan as “strategic flirting” between Hamas and Israel.

Renewing his warnings over Mofaz’s statements concerning the creation of a temporary Palestinian state with 42% of the West Bank borders, Nazzal added that Mofaz was successful in leading Hamas to an imaginary competition against the PLO with temporary solutions that only tempt Hamas, he said.

Hamas has not officially accepted Mofaz’s plan either, unsurprisingly.

From Haaretz:

In its official response, Hamas called Mofaz's offer "Zionist vulgarity" and said it would never recognize Israel or give legitimacy to the occupation.

"Any negotiation with the Zionist enemy regarding rights and legitimate recognition would only give it further excuse to commit crimes," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum.

Despite this rejection, Hamas legislator Mushir al-Masri told Ynet that Mofaz’s plan is an “important step” and he would not dismiss it.

"Obviously, such comments carry a lot of weight when they come from someone of Mofaz's stature – a man who went to war against Hamas and the resistance and is familiar with the issue's political and security-related aspects," said al-Masri.

The senior Hamas figure said he would not dismiss any offer "if it is based on the recognition of the basic rights of the Palestinian people and its right to be rid of occupation.

"The Israelis realize that we (Hamas) are a key player in the political arena. It would be a mistake to ignore Hamas and deal solely with (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas," he said. 

A Haaretz poll conducted last week has found that 57% of the Israeli public supports Mofaz’s plan. Mazal Mualem reports that sources close to Mofaz said the support “proves the Israeli public is almost always a step ahead of its leadership.”

"The survey results speak for themselves, and here's proof for all to see the Israeli public isn't shocked or appalled by the idea of negotiating with Hamas," one Mofaz associate said. "This means you don't have the classical left-right divide on this question, and the rightists are pragmatic."