Labor Party Platform

(2006)

Amir Peretz, the chair of Israel's Labor Party, has developed a new platform for Labor that calls for the creation of a permanent Palestinian state and a plan to "lease" the West Bank settlement blocs from the Palestinians. The platform contains a so-called "Hong Kong principle," which refers to the agreement between Great Britain and China in 1898 where Great Britain leased Hong Kong for 99 years. China regained sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, and pledged that it would keep it democratic character. Peretz wants to do the same with the West Bank, where he would "lease" the settlement blocs of Ma'ale Adumim, Gush Etzion and Ariel from the Palestinians in exchange for money or land.

The platform also outlines a timetable for renewed peace negotiations with the elected Palestinian leadership, which would not include an agreement for a temporary Palestinian state. Peretz believes that a temporary Palestinian state based on the conditions of ending violence and terrorism is not a good solution because the violence will only continue against Israel. Israel would only consider acting unilaterally, as it did with the implementation of the disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip in August 2005, if negotiations failed. Under Peretz, Israel would not conduct negotiations with Hamas, even if they are elected to the Palestinian government.

All outposts must be immediately dismantled and removed because they undermine the peace process, according to the platform. Peretz has been highly critical of Ariel Sharon because he says he gives more money to the establishing of settlements and outposts and ignores the Galilee and Negev regions inside Israel proper.

The platform also states that Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel and the Jewish people, but will consider giving the Palestinians a capital in the surrounding villages and towns by raising the issue of municipal boundaries.