Speaking at a Likud faction meeting on Monday, 10 Cheshvan, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu defended his policies, explaining to party colleagues that just last week he instructed appropriate government agencies to expedite construction of 2,000 housing units in Yehuda and Shomron. He stressed “This is the best way to strengthen the settlement movement regarding areas that will undoubtedly remain under Israeli sovereignty in any future agreement. We are working through actions, not just words”.
Regarding yishuvim, Mr. Netanyahu reiterated that he too is a supporter and the matter of communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron remain a priority, but he will only act in accordance to the law, towards strengthening those communities and not colliding with the law, referring to the outposts.
He pointed out there are sufficient areas on which it is permitted to build and he will not tolerate building on private lands, stating one may be loyal to Eretz Yisrael and settlements while remaining loyal to the law. “There is no contradiction between them but to the contrary, they complement one another”, the prime minister explained.
Heads of other factions however sent an urgent letter to the prime minister calling upon him to act to save the yishuvim and neighborhoods in Yehuda and Shomron that are now under threat, seeking a creative solution that will permit them all to remain as they are. They refer to the planned destruction of a number of communities, including Givat Assaf and the Ulpana neighborhood in Beit El. Signatories of the letter include MKs from Ichud HaLeumi, Likud, Yisrael Beitenu, HaBayit HaYehudi, Shas, and Yahadut HaTorah.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
I agree with Netanyahu’s position. Let us make sure that all Arab illegal building throughout the country is similarly dealt with in accordance with the law. (The building right near Har Hazeisim, with its serious contribution to the security issues there will be a great place to start!)
Wonder what the media would do if Israeli security forces enter Arab neighborhoods constructed illegally (and there are numerous ones) with bulldozers in the middle of the night. . .
I meant to post this comment here:
So much tumult yesterday over French President Sarkozy being heard on mike saying to President Obama “I cannot bear Netanyahu. He’s a liar” – and Obama appearing to agree with him.
Well…Sarkozy has a like-minded chaver in Ariel Sharon.
Read this, from a widely reported interview with Gilad Sharon, Ariel Sharon’s son, and a man with impeccable Israeli right wing credentials himself:
“He is very critical of current Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, according to the Times. He calls Netanyahu “not only subversive, but a coward.”
“He quotes Ariel Sharon as having said to Netanyahu during the latter’s first term (1996-99) as prime minister: “A liar you were, and a liar you have remained,” after Netanyahu purportedly reneged on a promise to make Sharon finance minister.”