Netanyahu: Soldiers acted properly in Lebanon border clash

PM tells Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that soldiers on Lebanon border, Kalandia had a right to defend themselves; says Israel working with US on document for possible peace agreement.

By LAHAV HARKOV, JPOST.COM STAFF
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in cabinet meeting 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in cabinet meeting 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday, addressed clashes between the IDF and the Lebanese Army that occurred earlier in the morning, saying "The soldiers behaved like they were supposed to. They are determined to defend themselves and the border."
One Lebanese soldier was reportedly wounded early Monday morning an exchange of gunfire between the IDF and Lebanese Army.
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In a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Netanyahu reiterated the rights and responsibilities to defend themselves of the IDF soldiers who were attacked and wounded overnight when riots erupted as they were making arrests in Kalandia. Two Palestinians were killed in the exchange.
Topics discussed at the meeting included Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's determination to secure Palestinian statehood at the United Nations in September and the Israeli attempts to bring him back to peace talks, as well as to secure a Security Council veto from the United States.
"We're ready for different scenarios and using different tools," Netanyahu said. "Our goal is direct negotiations with Palestinians, (but) we are trying to prepare ourselves as much as possible."
He added, "Abbas made a strategic decision to go to the UN. He wants to get things done without a peace agreement...(However) no Israeli government can accept all Palestinian demands. We are interacting with the US to put together a document on a possible peace agreement using language from Obama's speech to AIPAC."
Speaking to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in May, US President Barack Obama said that for the sake of peace and security, the Israelis and Palestinians must negotiate a border that is different than the one that existed on June 4, 1967.
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