Peres

Peres: continued occupation would lead to disaster for Jews

Feb 24, 2004

Occupied Jerusalem - Israeli Labor Party chairman Shimon Peres has called for total Israeli withdrawal “from every inch” of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, saying the continued occupation of these territories would “bring about disaster for the Jewish people.”

Speaking in Washington Monday, Peres warned that “time is running out-no more than four months-for Israel to come to terms with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qreai.”

Peres’ remarks were published Tuesday in the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz.

The veteran Zionist politician described as “inadequate” plans by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to leave the Gaza Strip and small parts of the West Bank.

Israel, he said, must give up all of the land that it captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

“If you keep 10 per cent of the land, you keep 100 per cent of the conflict.”

Peres said continued Israeli occupation would eventually spell “catastrophe” for Israel and the Jewish people.

“If Israel doesn’t follow through with a total withdrawal, catastrophe is awaiting in the corner.”