Unlike Netanyahu, Livni says, she keeps criticism of US ‘quiet’

Tzipi Livni, the Zionist Union party’s co-leader, excoriated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his upcoming speech before Congress, in remarks before visiting American Jewish officials Thursday.

She also said that if elected, she will work toward the establishment of a Palestinian state, thereby solving the Palestinian refugee problem — a sticking point in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking before a visiting contingent of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Livni presented her party’s political platform, vetted Israel’s security concerns and rebuked Netanyahu for a controversial speech to the American Congress, slated for March 3.

“If a foreign leader came to Israel to give a speech to the Knesset and would not work through the prime minister, even if it were Bibi [Netanyahu], I would not support it,” Livni said.

“If Obama came to Israel and gave a great speech to the Knesset, would it change [Naftali] Bennett’s mind?” she asked, referring to the leader of the hawkish Jewish Home party.

“Bibi does not need to make this speech. It is nothing new. I have my own criticisms of the US administration but I keep them quiet and do not make them public,” she said, adding, “Do you really think after six years that Obama doesn’t know what Bibi thinks?”

Netanyahu said that he will speak before Congress to dissuade American lawmakers from approving an impending nuclear deal with Iran, a move that raised the ire of the White House, some US congressmen and his political opponents back home.

Israel will head to the polls on March 17, two weeks after Netanyahu’s speech. Some in Israel have accused the prime minister of using the speech to promote his campaign.

Livni panned her opponents on the political right and vowed to fight for a negotiated solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“Israelis need to decide between two visions: Greater Israel, one country where Palestinians will not have full rights, or a two-state solution. A two-state solution is in the interest of Israel. It is not a gift to the PA or the US president,” she said.

Livni ruled out the possibility of settling Palestinian refugees within Israel and noted that under her leadership the government will keep the settlement blocs and control over Jerusalem.

“Uprooting Jews from their homes in Gush Katif was the toughest and most difficult decision of my life,” she said, referring to Israel’s 2005 unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip. She was a minister at the time.

“[Yet] is there anyone who wants to replant Israelis in Gush Katif again? Whoever would want to do so would never want any kind of agreement with the Palestinians,” she said.

A poll last week by the Times of Israel placed the Zionist Union one seat ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud, before factoring in distribution of undecided voters.