FM Livni: Israeli Arabs' national solution 'lies elsewhere'

     Kadima leader Tzipi Livni on Thursday implied that the nationalistic aspirations of Arabs living in Israel could only be realized in a future Palestinian state. "My solution for maintaining a Jewish and democratic state of Israel is to have two nation-states with certain concessions and with clear red lines," Livni said. "And among other things, I will also be able to approach the Palestinian residents of Israel, those whom we call Israeli Arabs, and tell them, 'your national solution lies elsewhere.'" Speaking in a meeting with Tel Aviv high school students, Livni also hinted that kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit could remain in the hands of Hamas in Gaza. "Just like each and every one of you, we want Gilad to come back, but we cannot elaborate on that here," she told the assembled students. "The impression is that maybe we can bring him back but don't want to, but that is untrue." The foreign minister insisted that "the thought that I can perhaps bring about Schalit's release but am doing nothing is a horrible thought. But when a soldier goes to the army, he is taking a risk. We all want him to come home safely but [the knowledge that one might be captured] is part of the willingness to fight. We have no choice. "We all want Gilad to come home," the foreign minister continued, "but there is always the risk of minimal casualties and it isn't always possible to bring everyone home." Earlier Thursday, Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar had said that a deal to free Gilad Schalit "could be reached within a day, if an Israeli government brave enough to release prisoners serving life sentences is established." (17,52)