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| Photo credit: Yoav Ari Dudkevitch |
Here's the official statement by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu about the Beit El ulpana neighborhood, settlement and more:
PM Netanyahu's Remarks on the Issue of the Ulpana Neighborhood in Beit El
Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser
Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks today (Wednesday, 6 June 2012) the Ulpana neighborhood in Beit El:
"We are not strangers in Beit El. We are not strangers in Judea and Samaria. This is the Land of our Patriarchs. This is where our identity was formed. I say this here in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, and I say this everywhere in the world. Israel is a democratic state in which upholding the law is at the foundation of our free lives. The State of Israel is a law-abiding democracy and as the Prime Minister of Israel I am committed to upholding the law and am I committed to uphold the settlement enterprise, and I tell you that there is no contradiction between the two. The draft law that was rejected today in the Knesset would have hurt settlement whereas the outline that I have decided upon – the expansion of the community, moving the homes and legal defense against any precedent – strengthens settlement.
And yet it must be said that this has been a complicated and difficult day. Moving homes from their location, even if it is only five homes, is certainly not an action that this Government rejoices in doing. But the court ruled as it did and we honor the decisions of the judicial system.
At the same time, the community of Beit El will be expanded. The 30 families will remain in Beit El and will be joined by 300 new families. I tell those who think they can use the judicial system to hurt settlement, that they are mistaken, because in practice, the exact opposite will occur. Instead of shrinking Beit El – Beit El has expanded. Instead of hurting settlement, settlement has been strengthened.
I also received a clear legal opinion which I would like to cite. 'The verdict set no law and in any case does not constitute a precedent. Nothing may be construed from it regarding other cases.'
I have also decided to establish a ministerial committee on settlement to ensure that the Government's policy of strengthening settlement is implemented.
I would like to thank my ministerial colleagues for showing responsibility at a difficult time. Yuli Edelstein and Daniel Hershkowitz spoke to me at length about the importance and necessity of establishing the ministerial committee. Benny Begin and Moshe Yaalon invested considerable time in the work of the ministerial team to strengthen settlement. Gideon Saar and Gilad Erdan certainly lost much sleep in recent days in the discussions to find a legal outline that would forestall a precedent. I would also like to thank my colleagues, my partners, the heads of the coalition factions, Shaul Mofaz, Eli Yishai, Ehud Barak, Yaakov Litzman and Moshe Gafni. I would also like to thank Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman for acting responsibly. There is responsible leadership in Israel.
In conclusion, I would like to say a few words to my brothers and sisters from the settler public. I understand your pain, and I share it. I met several of the families. I saw the people. I saw the children and I would like to tell you what I told them. There is no government that supports, or will support, settlement more than my government. I also say that there is no government that has withstood such heavy pressures, which could have hurt settlement, and it must be understood that ours is a very complex diplomatic, national and legal environment. And in this complex reality, one must navigate wisely, sagaciously and responsibly. Thus the members of the Government and myself have acted up until now and thus we will continue to act. We will continue to strengthen settlement and we will continue to strengthen democracy in the State of Israel."
Doesn't the following statement I've just quoted from Bibi sound familiar?
"There is no government that supports, or will support, settlement more than my government."It reminds me very much of Obama claiming to be Israel's best friend, the best United States President for Israel ever. Nu?
P.S. Re: Naftali Bennett's joining the NRP aka Jewish Home Party. I guess the "quacking" in the NRP have deafened him to the truth. I didn't see his political buddies from the NRP leaving the coalition! More about him later, bli neder.
5 comments:
I wouldn't put great stock in Bibi's promise.
The Jews will be kicked out of the Ulpana, Migron and other places but will they get equivalent housing in compensation?
I'm not holding my breath waiting for it to happen.
Norman, and since bibi has showed the world how weak he is, his decision is getting more condemnation.
Shalom!
When the government built on land in (near?) Barkan that was legally owned by Moshe Zar and Zar sued the government, the government recognized Zar's deed and compensated him for the land. In the cases mentioned here the Arabs have no deed and the government is planning to destroy houses. "There is no judge and no justice."
I believe a number of people, perhaps you, Batya, are included, who said that this is the end for Manhigut Yehudit in the Likud (aka Likouldn't). I firmly disagree. It is very important to be a member of the Likud and vote in the primaries and keep the pressure up on Bibi in his house. If it doesn't work very well, that's unfortunate, but then I go and vote for NU. If NU gets eaten by the NRP, presumably after ignoring all primary or polling results and throwing out Ben-Ari and Eldad, it will be unfortunate, but those right-wing Likudniks from the shuk and the Russians etc. are NEVER going to join a party identified with kipot. They just can't do it sociologically. Meanwhile the religious splinter parties, even if sort of united, are going to be neutralized and marginalized and will have no power in the coalition if they are in it at all. Besides, the NRP had the opportunity to bolt Sharon's govt. and prevent the expulsion, and they didn't. Shas and the hareidim did the same. Eli Yishai keeps talking like he's our best friend. But we didn't expect much from those guys. To tell you the truth, I don't expect much from the NRP (by any other name) either. But Orlev is still claiming to be a leader of the national camp even though he failed to get up off his duff and leave the government until it was too late. Now they are doing the same thing. I tell you, I have no idea who I can vote for in the general election who will make a difference. Bet you don't either. Maybe someone should start an Avodat Hashem faction in the Labor Party and do a takeover from within. Do some kiruv among the clueless youth of the Labor movement at the same time. Make a minyan here and there. Take hiloni kids from TA to visit hilltops. Dream on, says my wife. OK, but the alternative is to stop dreaming, and that is worse.
Hadassa, so true, sadly we are second class citizens.
Yehoshua, NRP's main purpose is being part of the coalition, no guts to be in the opposition, because they claim to be safe-guarding their schools.
Ketzele would have jumped at the chance to lead them but had to make do with NU. Now that NRP has young photgenic Bennet, they don't need Ketzele to be the frontman. NU needs Ketzele.
And re:Feiglin, oy
Voting in Likud primaries is one thing, voting for them in elections is something else.
If only the strong Right ones would leave and join NU.
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