Rivlin Indicates Support for Israeli-Palestinian Confederation

In comments published Thursday, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin indicated that a sovereign Palestine state alongside Israel within the framework of a joint confederation was the only way toward peace, reported Times of Israel.

“There would be a confederation,” Rivlin told Nicolai Rosenbaum of Politico France. “Decisions that concern the two states in the confederation — or the two states of the united … Israeli-Palestinian state — we will have to [make]… together.”

In a recording of the interview made by Israel Radio, Rivlin suggested land swaps in the demarcation of the two confederated states, and he reportedly said that the confederation would feature two parliaments and two constitutions, but just one army — the Israel Defense Forces.

In a statement Thursday, Rivlin’s office clarified Rivlin’s remarks, and said that Rivlin maintained his opposition to full Palestinian statehood.