Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) does seem to be too excited over the agreement between opposition head Yitzhak Herzog and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. However, she did express pleasure over Israel avoiding what she called “Camp David 2.”
In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Shaked said that the information about the existence of negotiations between Herzog and Abbas, which were conducted by Ephraim Sneh, is not at all surprising. “This is the clear agenda of the Labor Party and we don’t need to get angry at them for trying to put their agenda into effect. I am just happy that the Jewish People was smart enough to choose a right-wing government in order to prevent such plans from coming to fruition.”
Furthermore, she insisted that the talks should not be seen as an attempt to undermine the government, but rather a legitimate part of the election campaign and an attempt to prepare Herzog for leadership. “This was during the election period and he prepared himself for ruling. I think that this emphasizes the between the Right and the Left in the recent election. As I said, the Jewish People are smart and wise, and we were saved from an attempt at Camp David 2, after Barak’s Camp David brought us the Second Intifada.”
As for Ephraim Sneh’s remarks to Arutz Sheva encouraging Netanyahu to push for a two-state solution, Shaked responded: “I’m disappointed that even the Prime Minister supports the creation of a Palestinian state. This is a clear difference between him and the Jewish Home. Even so, we will work in the government and ensure that it will not come about, for as long as we are in the government.
“There are other alternatives. Education Minister Naftali Bennett and I spoke about annexing Area C and giving full autonomy to Areas A and B, or a sort of confederacy. It’s true that the Zionist Union is pushing for a two-state solution, but we think there are better options.”
Shaked was then asked whether Jewish Home is worried about Netanyahu bringing in Herzog and taking up an agenda like that of Sneh at any moment.
She answered: “In the end, we will remain in the government for as long as we can exert an influence and feel that we are a meaningful part of it. In the end, it is the Prime Minister’s decision and he will decide whether he wants government with Jewish Home as he promised before the elections, or if he prefers a government with Buji Herzog. In the end, it’s his decision.”
Shaked made her remarks to Arutz Sheva while leaving a cyber convention in Tel Aviv. She added that “Israel has the most advanced technology for a cyber war and the State of Israel is the cyber and technology superpower. Twenty percent of world investments in cyber are carried out in Israel. Israel is a leader both in defense and in offense.”
As for cooperation with other countries, Shaked explained that “there are countries that cooperate with us on many tactical and strategic processes and there are those, particularly Arab countries, with whom we work quietly. Israel is very well appreciated in the field. We are pushing for a cyber law and we are helping design the international law that will come together within the next few days. Countries around the world enjoy our advantages and our insights in this field.”
