FM, Livni slam world stance on Israel-Palestinian conflict

Some world leaders would sacrifice Israel "without batting an eyelash," Liberman tells 'The Jerusalem Post' Diplomatic Conference; Livni: International community still equating IDF, terrorist casualties.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Avigdor Liberman 370 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Avigdor Liberman 370
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Both Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman and Hatnua (The Tzipi Livni Party) head Tzipi Livni took aim at the international community on Wednesday at The Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference, decrying hypocrisy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"When push comes to shove many world leaders will be willing to sacrifice Israel without batting an eyelash," Liberman said in his address. "We are not willing to become a second Czechoslovakia and sacrifice vital security interests."
Liberman also cautioned against a return to 1967 borders, saying that such a move would result in a similar situation to what exists in the Gaza Strip.
Livni warned that the international community is not providing a balanced approach on the issue.
"We need the world to support our security needs in this tough neighborhood," she told the attendees. "I am frustrated as an Israeli when the international community compares casualties caused by the IDF to those killed by terrorists... this is the message terrorists need to hear, that there are things that are unacceptable by the international community."
Livni also sparked a minor twitter battle with Yisrael Beytenu when she said "Israelis have to change how they view settlements, like I did. They don't provide security. We need to put security needs first."
The Yisrael Beytenu party immediately responded to the comments, tweeting that "Tzipi Livni says no connection between settlements and security, standing in opposition to decades of even Left wing thinking," adding the hashtag "#offthemap."