MK Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) said that although her party opposes a
Palestinian state and settlement construction freezes, it has no problem with
Obama's planned visit, saying it is "an honor for Israel." As for negotiations
with the Palestinian Authority, Shaked said "if Netanyahu wants to talk, he
should talk," as long as the prime minister stands up for his
principles.
"When Ehud Barak was prime minister, he offered [former PA
president Yasser] Arafat everything, and Arafat refused. When Ehud Olmert was
prime minister, he offered [PA President Mahmoud Abbas] everything and he
refused. There is no chance Netanyahu will offer the same," Shaked
stated.
The Bayit Yehudi MK pointed out that Netanyahu refused to have
freeze settlement construction a second time, despite PA demands and US
pressure.
Still, Shaked said it's important to have the Bayit Yehudi in
the coalition when these issues are being dealt with, so the party can stand
staunchly to Netanyahu's right.