Barak: 'Daring' steps needed for peace

JERUSALEM, May 19 (UPI) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak challenged Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to make a "daring proposal" to help achieve peace in the Middle East.

His comments to the Los Angeles Times came as Netanyahu left Thursday on a diplomatic mission to the United States, even though U.S. and Israeli officials have tried to lower expectations that the visit would lead to a breakthrough in the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

While some argue for a take-it-slow approach, Barak said something must be put on the table, either in closed-door discussions with President Obama or in public.

"We need to be ready to move toward a daring proposal that will include the readiness to deliver an answer to all the core issues," he said.

Netanyahu has made "clear movement" in articulating his vision of peace by stressing Israel's insistence on maintaining settlement blocks and a military presence along the Jordan Valley, Barak said in the Times interview conducted in his office at the Knesset. But, Barak said, Israel still lacks "a sense of direction."

Despite the stalemate, Barak said he believes a peace accord is closer now than when he was prime minister during the Camp David talks in 2000.

However, he warned Israel's desire for more U.S. military aid could be in jeopardy if a deal isn't struck.

"It's clear to everyone, including America, that in this turbulent region, the only stable place is Israel. You can easily justify to anyone about the need to keep supporting Israel," Barak said. "We get very generous support. We need it. But of course, if we don't move forward, our justification to demand more support will be somewhat weakened."