Dulzin, Liberal Party Leader Calls for New Dynamism in Likud

Leon Dulzin, chairman of the Liberal Party wing of Likud, acknowledges that his formula for peace negotiations differs from that of his Herut partners. But he does not believe Likud unity is endangered by the differences. “Our influence within the Likud is greater than people are inclined to think,” he said in an interview published in Maariv yesterday.

Specifically, Dulzin, who is treasurer of the Jewish Agency and, with Elimelech Rimalt leads the Liberal blood in Likud, refused to say he categorically supported the traditional Likud line which favors Israel’s annexation of the West Bank.

Declaring that “Likud, along with other parties, must be more dynamic in face of changing realities,” Dulzin said, “As regards the future border with Jordan, Israel should declare that it must be fixed through negotiations between the two peoples, with neither side stating in advance that it insists on a particular concession or demand.” Asked if this meant he was veering away from the position of Likud and its predecessor Gahal (Liberal-Herut) alignment, Dulzin said he preferred “not to give hints or interpretations.”

He said his moderate formula could facilitate the establishment of a national unity government embracing Likud which he believes is the most urgent need in advance of the Geneva peace conference. He said that with respect to Egypt and Syria, Israel’s negotiating formula should be a willingness to trade territory for peace.

“I do not know if our Likud partners would accept my formula,” Dulzin said, adding, “that is not a tragedy” because “the duty of the Liberal Party is to take Likud out of its current stagnation and to counter the impression that Likud is a political body clinging to hard-line positions from which if is unwilling to move.”