Former head of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, Ami Ayalon, is urging Germany to actively support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In an interview, Ayalon called on Berlin to back Egypt’s proposed mediation plan and join the Franco-Saudi initiative aimed at achieving a two-state resolution.
The Egyptian plan, as outlined by Ayalon, envisions an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, followed by the oversight of reconstruction efforts by a Palestinian technocratic government with no ties to Hamas. This would ultimately pave the way for free elections throughout all Palestinian territories. “A legitimate Palestinian leadership would open the path to a two-state solution, as now proposed by the French and Saudis and as offered by the Arab League with the ‘Arab Peace Initiative’ since 2002” Ayalon stated. He emphasized that the proposal links the establishment of a Palestinian state with the recognition of Israel by all Arab nations.
Ayalon, who also previously commanded an elite military unit and served as head of the Israeli Navy, argues that a continuation of the current conflict in the Gaza Strip is counterproductive. “The chaos that currently exists provides ideal breeding ground for further radicalization” he said.
He contends that military solutions alone are insufficient to address radicalism. “The existence of Hamas ultimately rests on Israel’s continued refusal to enable a Palestinian state. The further this prospect receded, the stronger this militia became” explained the former intelligence chief, who now serves as a Member of Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, representing the Labor Party.
