PM Netanyahu's remarks on national consensus on "two states for two peoples"
concept
Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA 5 July 2009

It should be noted that the opening remarks appearing below are prepared
remarks and thus the wording is worthy of attention.

Of particular interest is the use of the phrase "that also includes"
("shekolelim gam") instead of just "that includes" ("shekolelim") in the
sentence "defensible borders that also include full demilitarization of the
Palestinian territory

The addition of the word also ("gam") is critical because it means that the
borders, in and of themselves, must be defensible - without relying on
demilitarization of the Palestinian territory.

Consider how this applies to the Jerusalem area: Without the "gam", one
could conceivably argue that a patchwork allocation of sovereignties would
be acceptable since the Palestinians would be demilitarized. With the "gam"
such an arrangement is out of the question.

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"We attained national consensus over the concept of "two states for two
peoples", and the lines of agreement are first of all that the Palestinians
must recognize the State of Israel as the state of the Jewish People and
that also means that the problem of the refugees will be resolved outside of
the State of Israel and that Israel needs and will receive defensible
borders that also includes full demilitarization of the Palestinian
territory. The development of the national consensus around these
principles is the most important expression of the unity government"

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at opening of cabinet meeting 5 July 2009
as translated by IMRA
for the Hebrew original:
www.pmo.gov.il/PMO/Communication/Spokesman/2009/07/spokestart050709.htm