RELATED:Jewish parliamentarians push tools for 're-legitimization'UK MP: Encourage non-Jews to get involved in our issuesWe won’t let US derail our statehood bid, says PA officialIn an open forum in the Knesset on the same day, Irwin Cotler, the former justice minister of Canada and staunch friend of Israel, gave Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu some advice: Call for direct negotiations based on the Obama’s principles, he suggested.“I wasn’t criticizing Netanyahu for his inaction, but called on him to take up such an initiative based on the Obama principles, as incorporated in his communiqué issued by the G-8,” Cotler said on the phone on Wednesday. "You have here not just Obama principles, but the G-8, supportive of such principles. Such an initiative would challenge the Palestinians to return to negotiations."Cotler spoke about the perceived disconnect between Netanyahu and the US president and suggested it might be time for Jerusalem to bend a little to mend those ties.“I just said people think there’s been a contretemps between Obama and Bibi,” he said. “At this point [accepting Obama’s principles] might be a good idea.”World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder, whose organization sponsors the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians, was said to be among those critical of Netanyahu at the banquet.According to reports in the media, the billionaire businessman said starting talks with the Palestinians may be a severe blow to Netanyahu’s coalition, but it was a necessary gambit. Lauder reportedly warned Israel against favoring internal politics at the expense of its standing in the world.Some have speculated that Lauder’s alleged criticism may be related to Netanyahu’s decision not to appear at WJC’s Board of Governors meeting last week, an act several commentators believe was a deliberate shunning.In a statement sent to The Jerusalem Post regarding his speech, Lauder reiterated his his "unequivocal" support for Netanyahu and "policies that seek to create a lasting peace in the Middle East."“The Prime Minister and I have been friends and colleagues for thirty years. Let there be no mistake. We stand united in the pursuit of peace and the protection of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. My position regarding the need for negotiations is absolutely consistent with the Government’s call for direct negotiations,” said the WJC president in the statement.Meanwhile, during a short interview aired on Wednesday, Channel 2 reporter Dana Weiss asked Lauder about rumors of a split between him and the prime minister.“We’ve been friends for 30 years and I expect us to be friends 40 more,” Lauder replied, without denying the rumor. “Every friendship has ups and downs.”
Friends of Israel to PM: Accept Obama terms, restart talks
In apparent criticism of Netanyahu, Ronald Lauder reportedly warns Israel against favoring internal politics at expense of its int'l standing.
RELATED:Jewish parliamentarians push tools for 're-legitimization'UK MP: Encourage non-Jews to get involved in our issuesWe won’t let US derail our statehood bid, says PA officialIn an open forum in the Knesset on the same day, Irwin Cotler, the former justice minister of Canada and staunch friend of Israel, gave Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu some advice: Call for direct negotiations based on the Obama’s principles, he suggested.“I wasn’t criticizing Netanyahu for his inaction, but called on him to take up such an initiative based on the Obama principles, as incorporated in his communiqué issued by the G-8,” Cotler said on the phone on Wednesday. "You have here not just Obama principles, but the G-8, supportive of such principles. Such an initiative would challenge the Palestinians to return to negotiations."Cotler spoke about the perceived disconnect between Netanyahu and the US president and suggested it might be time for Jerusalem to bend a little to mend those ties.“I just said people think there’s been a contretemps between Obama and Bibi,” he said. “At this point [accepting Obama’s principles] might be a good idea.”World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder, whose organization sponsors the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians, was said to be among those critical of Netanyahu at the banquet.According to reports in the media, the billionaire businessman said starting talks with the Palestinians may be a severe blow to Netanyahu’s coalition, but it was a necessary gambit. Lauder reportedly warned Israel against favoring internal politics at the expense of its standing in the world.Some have speculated that Lauder’s alleged criticism may be related to Netanyahu’s decision not to appear at WJC’s Board of Governors meeting last week, an act several commentators believe was a deliberate shunning.In a statement sent to The Jerusalem Post regarding his speech, Lauder reiterated his his "unequivocal" support for Netanyahu and "policies that seek to create a lasting peace in the Middle East."“The Prime Minister and I have been friends and colleagues for thirty years. Let there be no mistake. We stand united in the pursuit of peace and the protection of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. My position regarding the need for negotiations is absolutely consistent with the Government’s call for direct negotiations,” said the WJC president in the statement.Meanwhile, during a short interview aired on Wednesday, Channel 2 reporter Dana Weiss asked Lauder about rumors of a split between him and the prime minister.“We’ve been friends for 30 years and I expect us to be friends 40 more,” Lauder replied, without denying the rumor. “Every friendship has ups and downs.”