Jerusalem will not function if split in Trump's peace plan - Barkat

“I saw how Prime Minister Netanyahu balances in between being really aggressive with the bad people and trying to be good, as much as you can, with the good people,” Barkat said.

MARCH 13, 2019 13:55

Former Jerusalem Mayor and Likud member Nir Barkat said he could not see a split Jerusalem capital for Israeli and Palestinian states as a viable option.

"No. It’s not acceptable to me. I don’t believe it’s acceptable to our friends who are in the right-of-center camp,” Barkat said. “It will not function. I’ve never seen someone walk with two-heads. There’s no example in the world where a split city could function.”

Barkat also admitted, in an interview with i24 News, that he’s not comfortable that Qatari money is being transferred into Gaza.

“Many see this as a capitulation of the Israeli government [toward] Hamas.”

“I saw how Prime Minister Netanyahu balances in between being really aggressive with the bad people and trying to be good, as much as you can, with the good people,” Barkat said. “Of course they bother me. And they bother Prime Minister Netanyahu. You don’t choose from the best alternatives.”

Netanyahu has regularly allowed Qatari funds to be transferred into Gaza over the past several months. On Tuesday, Netanyahu defended his position.

Whoever is against a Palestinian state should be for transferring the funds to Gaza, because maintaining a separation between the PA in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza helps prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, Netanyahu said.

Barkat also sympathized with the Gazan people. “We are not against the Gazan people,” Barkat said. “But we will fight the terrorists in Gaza. And we don’t want Gaza to totally fall apart. I think it’s for the best interest of Israel.”

“I feel very strongly that Prime Minister Netanyahu can balance those very important factors.”

Lahav Harkov contributed to this report.