Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made the following statement on Sunday morning 2 Adar I 5774 at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting relating to EU threats to launch an economic boycott against Israel.

“Attempts to impose a boycott on the State of Israel are immoral and unjust. Moreover, they will not achieve their goal. First, they cause the Palestinians to adhere to their intransigent positions and thus push peace further away. Second, no pressure will cause me to concede the vital interests of the State of Israel, especially the security of Israel’s citizens. For both of these reasons, threats to boycott the State of Israel will not achieve their goal.”

Adding to the pressure on the Government of Israel to compromise vital security interests and give away portions of Eretz Yisrael is mounting pressure from US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is now using the threatened economic boycott as leverage to broker a deal between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority), assuring Israel the United States will see to Israel’s security concerns and signing a deal with avert what may be a crippling boycott. Speaking at a Munich security conference, Kerry stating “You see for Israel there’s an increasing delegitimization campaign that has been building up. People are very sensitive to it. There are talk of boycotts and other kinds of things. Are we all going to be better with all of that?”

In an amazing feat, the PA (Palestinian Authority) continues to attend negotiating sessions rejecting all offers on the table, seeking more, yet Israel in a few short weeks will be expected to release the fourth wave of terrorists from prison, at the end of March 2014. This is the masterful work of lead negotiator Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who appears willing to give it all away if doing so leads to agreement.

Kerry is not expected in Israel this week but that is not to say the pressure has eased. He speaks with the prime minister and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) daily.

Among the angry right-wing responses was that of Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett, who used his Facebook page. “The nation of Israel is stronger than the threats against her. Never has a nation abandoned their land because of economic threats. We are no different.

“Only security will ensure economic stability. Not a terrorist state next to Ben-Gurion Airport. We expect our friends around the world to stand beside us, against anti-Semitic boycott efforts targeting Israel, and not for them to be their amplifier. We have always known how to stay strong and today we will know how to remain strong.”

Housing Minister Uri Ariel added “The PA cannot believe its good fortune having such an ‘impartial mediator’” referring of course to Secretary Kerry.

Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon added “Friends do not issue ultimatums to Israel regarding her security”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)