Abu Vilan Speaks at Beit Shalom

On Tuesday, October 02, 2007, Member of Knesset Avshalom (Abu) Vilan addressed friends of Meretz USA at a luncheon in Beit Shalom.  He spoke primarily about the upcoming peace conference, scheduled for this November and about the movement he founded to move settlers within the green line. Below is a summary of his remarks. 

MK Vilan began by explaining that the Israeli government intends to put together, before the November peace summit, a document of principles that will envision a final status agreement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He remarked that this step will not be as difficult as determining the timeframe for reaching final status or how to get there.

MK Vilan also addressed the ways in which an agreement could affect the Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s government coalition. He noted that Olmert fears that if he gives up too much to the Palestinians, the coalition may fall apart as Shas, the Ultra-orthodox Sephardic party, and Yisreal Beiteinu, the right-wing party led by Avigdor Lieberman, leave the government. But MK Vilan explained that he believes neither party would follow through. Shas has too much to lose by leaving, and, by participating in the government, Lieberman is showing his willingness to become less radical and more mainstream.

Focusing on rivalries between Fatah and Hamas, MK Vilan explained that Hamas will likely try to derail the peace process because, if it succeeds, it will greatly help Fatah’s image. As a result, the Egyptians and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) are pushing to Israel to be tougher on Hamas. MK Vilan alluded to a proposal by Meretz MK Yossi Beilin for Israel to talk to Hamas. Fatah rejected this proposal out of hand. Rather, they want to show the Palestinians that if they support Hamas, they will be in danger.

However, MK Vilan noted some weaknesses in this plan to fight Hamas. In the first place, although Fatah has been building up its forces in the West Bank, Hamas is still very strong there and it will not be easy to defeat them. In addition, despite the fact that the Israeli military establishment believes that Israel will need to invade Gaza, MK Vilan explained that an extended operation would cost many Israeli lives. And an invasion before the conference would derail the entire process. Thus, it is unlikely to occur. He suggested instead that the best solution for dealing with Gaza is to do nothing until after an agreement. At that point, he believes international forces will have to be involved in creating a buffer between Gaza and Israel and in helping the Palestinians build up their economy.

MK Vilan concluded by addressing the question of whether it would produce anything substantial or whether a failure could result in a return to violence, as did the failure of the Camp David Accords in 2000. He explained that then, emotions were stronger, and everyone had a sense that failure would mean violence. Now, the Israelis and Palestinians are too tired for another cycle of violence. Even if the summit is unsuccessful, violence is not the only alternative.

Nevertheless, MK Vilan emphasized how important is American support for the process. The American public needs to be convinced that it is in the United States’ and Israel’s interest to find a solution to the conflict. Without a two state solution, Israel will be unable to remain both Jewish and democratic; a solution is needed as soon as possible.

One Home Movement

MK Vilan provided an update on the movement he created to move settlers within the green line, called the One Home movement. The movement was created for the approximately 50% of settlers who want to move inside the security fence, but cannot find anyone to buy their houses or money to do so. Currently, there is a bill in Knesset, supported by a good number of Knesset members, asking the government to buy these houses in order to facilitate their move. Because the other 50% of settlers are unwilling to move no matter what, the primary benefit of passing this bill would be to reduce the number of settlers that the Israeli government will have to deal with in the future, after an agreement is produced, and to isolate the most radical.

Born in Kibbutz Negba, MK Abu Vilan has been a member of Knesset for Meretz for three consecutive terms. He is a founder of Peace Now and previously served as secretary of the Mapam party (one of the three parties that founded Meretz), secretary of the National Kibbutz Movement, and an emissary of HaShomer Hatzair and Kibbutz Artzi in North America. Abu Vilan graduated from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, with degrees in economics and philosophy. He is a regular guest at Beit Shalom.