Maybe I'm just dumb, but I don't understand what benefits Israel will receive besides more pressure?
Here's the:
CABINET COMMUNIQUE
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 6.12.09
1. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks:
"Last Thursday, I met with leaders of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria regarding the 25.11.09 Cabinet decision and listened to their remarks. The decision was certainly not easy, either for them or for us. It has to do with the heart of the homeland of the Jewish people. It has to do with settlers, Israelis who are our brothers; they are part of us and we are part of them.
The decision was made because we see it as serving broader interests, perhaps the State of Israel's broadest interests. Today, it is clear even to those who were unclear previously - those who want peace and those who are currently acting as refusers of peace.
The State of Israel wants peace in the clearest possible sense. This was made clear following the Cabinet decision. But I also know that this decision is creating the same difficulties that the community leaders spoke about, and we also hear this from the citizens themselves.
Indeed, there are difficulties that accompany this decision and there are unnecessary difficulties that are not part of the decision, but stem from a lack of bureaucratic and other clarity. Therefore, I asked to establish a team along with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Minister Benny Begin, Cabinet Secretary Tzvi Hauser and Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj.-Gen. Eitan Dangot, in order to eliminate the unnecessary difficulties. Our intention is not to carry out new construction, but not to halt existing construction. Our goal is not to place difficulties where there is no reason to do so. This does not change the nature of the decision. The team began to work last Friday. It is working today and will work every day - and report to me on an ongoing basis.
I would like to make something else clear. This suspension is for its stated timeframe - and not beyond. In the Cabinet decision, we made it clear that upon the conclusion of the period of suspension, construction will resume. In the meantime, ten days have passed and the time is limited.
Therefore, I would like to remove any doubts regarding the temporary and one-time nature of this decision. This is a one-time and temporary decision, not a freeze of unlimited and infinite duration.
The second important thing is that we must get through this together in the best possible fashion. I say this not only to the community leaders and those who live in the communities; I say this to MKs and ministers. Our internal cohesion at this time is important - perhaps more important than anything - and I request ministers' cooperation in implementing the decision and in helping, to the best of their abilities, to get through it as easily as possible, while upholding the law in the State of Israel."
The actual language in the first part of Netanyahu's statement contradicts his words. By calling us "settlers" and "they," he makes us different, set apart from other Israelis. We are Israeli citizens who live in Judea and Samaria, seriously affected by discriminating government policies. There is no "internal cohesion," another phrase used in this official statement, when loyal, law-abiding citizens are treated as enemies and deprived of civil and human rights.
This new ruling of a building freeze goes against the wishes of those who elected the Likud and most of the Government Coalition. That means that it's anti-democratic, against the actual will of the people.
8 comments:
i really dont think you want to play the democracy card. most jews in israel do not agree with your ideology, and if you had democracy a lot of things in israel which you are in favor of would go by the wayside.
Shalom!
Leaving the issue of the fact that the Torah is not democratic, neither is the current government. The Likud is betraying its platform again. Inside and outside of the coalition most of the parties elected are opposed to a building freeze.
Figures: Likud 27, Yisrael Beiteinu 15, Shas 11, UTJ 5, NU 4, Jewish Home 3, for a total of 65.
Kadima 28, Labor 13, Hadash 4, Ta'al 4, Meretz 3, Balad 3 for a total of 55.
If you don't count the Arab parties, Hadash, Ta'al and Balad, the figures are even less in favor of a building freeze. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that even a few MK's in Kadima and Labor aren't in favor of the building freeze as it stands now.
Today's Likud is a repeat of Sharon's Likud. Sharon was elected on an anti-expulsion platform and he later ignored an internal party referendum against the expulsion, even though he specifically stated before the vote that he would abide by the results.
From an outsider's view--Netanyahu is making a distinction and separating religious Jews in Samaria and Judea from other Israelis by calling them settlers.
Settler sounds more like a phrase Palestinians would use to describe Jews anywhere in Israel.
As for Netanyahu's speech--he keeps repeating that the freeze is only for a limited time. When someone goes out of his way to provide assurances like that, it gives me the impression that he's not being truthful, and is sensing the doubts people have about the veracity of his statements.
And how is the freeze in Israel's broader interests? And why ten months exactly?
There's probably some plan underway that will take exactly ten months to accomplish.
Either that or--six months is too short to appease the Palestinians and a year is too long and alarming to quell the fears of Israelis.
Just some thoughts from the peanut gallery.
a, it's not the "democracy card," just law and morality. There's a "silent majority" here which believes that there should be Jews all over the coutnry.
Hadassa, thanks!!
Keli, there are more than just religious in Yosh.
Shalom!
Keli, the Arabs do in fact call even major cities in Israel like Haifa and Tel Aviv "settlements". Most people pay no attention to what the Arabs say in Arabic. CAMERA and IMRI provide a valuable service by translating Arab news and videos into English. I saw a very informative video of a Arab dance troupe dancing and singing a song about taking back Haifa, Yafo (Jaffa), Acco (Acre), and many other cities few realize the Arabs consider theirs. The English subtitles were, I believe, courtesy of IMRI.
It all goes back to the Zionist 'dream' to be accepted as a nation within the family of nations - classic galut mentality - in the Israeli declaration of Independance.
Until that scroll is ripped up and annuled for the real Jewish scroll, the Jews will continue to want to suck up to the goy and want some sort of recognition.
It's also in the parshat hashavuah last week.
josh, hadassa, thanks for adding important information. I appreciate it.
The Pallet settlements are going up! It starts Friday just before Channukah.
Pass the word!
Post it on as many blogs as you can, Facebook, twitter...
lots more info HERE
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