Lapid tells UN he supports a 2-state solution with Palestinians if they are peaceful

Prime Minister Yair Lapid moves on to the section of the speech that has been stirring up headlines over the past 24 hours – peace with the Palestinians.

“An agreement with the Palestinians, based on two states for two peoples, is the right thing for Israel’s security, for Israel’s economy, and for the future of our children,” Lapid declares.

The prime minister says that most Israelis support a two-state solution. “I am one of them,” he declares.

Israel has a condition, however: “That a future Palestinian state will be a peaceful one. That it will not become another terror base from which to threaten the well-being and the very existence of Israel. That we will have the ability to protect the security of all the citizens of Israel, at all times.”

“You can ask us to live according to the values in the UN Charter,” he says, “but you cannot ask us to die for them.”

Lapid reminds the chamber that Israel left Gaza in 2005, and has been met with over 20,000 rockets, not with peace.

He says that Israel is ready to lift restrictions on Gaza “tomorrow morning,” and help build their economy.

“We only have one condition. Stop firing rockets and missiles at our children.”

Lapid also names the Israeli civilians being held by Hamas in Gaza, and the soldiers whose bodies have not been returned to Israel.

“Put down your weapons, bring home our children who are being held in captivity – Hadar and Oron, may their memory be a blessing; Avera and Hisham, who are still alive – and we will build your economy together.”