Following are Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s remarks at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting as conveyed by his media advisor.
“This evening I will leave for Washington to address the AIPAC Policy Conference, in the presence of many Senators and Congressmen. I will also meet with the Congressional leadership. I plan to speak about our policy – on both the peace and security issues, as well as about Iran and Jerusalem.
Our policy toward Jerusalem is the same policy of all Israeli governments in the past 42 years and it has not changed. From our point-of-view, construction in Jerusalem is like construction in Tel Aviv. These are the things which we have made very clear to the American administration. We also made it clear that in the proximity talks with the Palestinians, while each side will be able to raise its positions on the issues in dispute, a tangible solution to the fundamental problems between us and the Palestinians will be achievable only in direct peace talks. It cannot be otherwise. Only if we sit together, discuss the issues together and reach joint solutions, will we be able to reach a genuine peace agreement.
I think that it is very important that these matters not be left subject to commentary and speculation; therefore, I initiated the letter that I sent to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton so that these issues would be very clear. I must say that I sent the positions after consulting with my unanimous colleagues in the seven-member ministerial forum. I think that Israel’s position is very clear and it will also be so during my visit to the American capital.
Today, the Cabinet will approve a multi-year plan for the economic development of the minority communities in Israel. I would like to thank Minister Avishai Braverman for the hard work he put into formulating this plan. In the first stage, we have chosen 12 Bedouin and Arab communities, with approximately 400,000 residents. We will invest NIS 800 million in these communities in developing employment, housing solutions and strengthening human capital, and in boosting law enforcement and personal security.
It is important to us that alongside full civil equality before the law, which exists – of course – for all Israelis, that there be equality of economic opportunity in employment, infrastructures, education and quality of life, in the non-Jewish sector. Our goal will be to expand the initial plan to many other communities. I think that this is very important in our view of the State of Israel as a regional power and as a global technological power, that all of its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens be able to enjoy the benefits of internal prosperity and progress.”
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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9 Responses
Go Bibi !!! Go Bibi!! Show the world that you are tough and aren’t going to let them walk all over you!!
Yerushalayim is the heart of the Jewish people..
Hazak V’ematz!
Bibi we are behind you!
You are now representing the Jewish people and Israel’s right to exist.
Stand up for what’s right (Just like our illustrious forebears, Mordechai, Esther Hamalka, the Maccabees and all of our Jewish soldiers) and you will be successful.
AGAINST ALL ODDSIsrael won all of her wars BECAUSE Hashem fought our battles. He will fight this one as well.
Obama will disappear into oblivion as all of our previous nefarious rulers.
נצח ישראל לא ישקר!
Just one issue. Even going out on a limb and saying that Abu Mazen (Muhammad Abbas) wants peace, and wants to end this situation, there can never be any real headway as long as organizations like Hamas exist. They don’t want peace and they use violence to get their way. Abbas is a puppet and if he does anything Hamas doesn’t agree with, he’s a goner. Probably in a very violent way as well…the only way to make peace is to uproot Hamas. I mean all out war kill every last one of them. NO MERCY for these baby killers! They are what stands in the way so let’s stop wasting time talking and negotiating. Its such a farce. Hamas is the problem and as long as they exist there can’t be even a semblance of peace. Its time for Israel and the US to stop playing games and pretending. They BOTH know Hamas is the problem and its time the world allowed Israel to take care of that problem for good. If the world doesn’t let, Israel should do it anyways but of course we know how this really works and Israel needs permission from the US before it does ANYTHIING (so pathetic) but its time to get that permission and. Do what’s necessary to stop the constant violence, and terrorist attacks. Israel has been in a semi state of war since 1948. I think its enough already. Time to go forward with the 2 state solution but first WIPE OUT HAMAS!
Thats what you say now. Lets see you stand up to Obama. Remember, he is a big bully whom far too many people cower from.
all that Obama wanted was a little BOOST to give him credibility,and standing in the eyes of the Arabs. Well, he can thank Bibi who obliged him and Hillary who rushed in to confirm that the pressure worked. The feelings between the two opposing parties remain the same but the mediator is feeling like the King of Peace. Bibi handled the matter well in light of the sticky situation. He had no choice against the bully who was looking for an opening and Yeshai handed it to him on a platter.
Jerusalem belongs to the Jews historically, morally and by conquest and nobody has any right to tell Israelis where to build. If anyone does, it is political interference in Israel’s internal affairs. Obama is crusading to carve up Jerusalem and will bully Israel to do so. But there are other more important matters at the moment so, I say Israel should put this behind and move on with the expectation that Obama will continue his bullying, because he knows you are small and vulnerable. Greater demands will be made on Israel soon.
Obama DARES not treat others like this because he is a coward and a muslim at heart. Israel needs to remember it is dealing with a common street bully and hustler who has no qualms intimidating the vulnerable. The Arabs and many Americans have no respect for him and that is a fact. The Arabs will capitalize on his weaknesses including his arrogance and king-sized ego.
#4 Mr. WellInformedYid, you’re dreaming. You seem to be far from well informed. The 2 state solution has long been taken care of. The entire Israel is the state for Jews and Jordan plus 21 additional Arab countries are the states for Arabs.
Ring:
I’m not sure what you are talking about. The fact is the Palestinians WERE GIVEN GAZA. And they likely will be given parts of the West Bank and other areas to create their own state/country. I wish we could just send them to Jordan or Syria but that won’t happen. What a surprise their own brother Arabs with all their huge countries don’t have “room” for them so its Israels problem.
“…full civil equality before the law, which exists – of course – for all Israelis, that there be equality of economic opportunity in employment, infrastructures, education and quality of life, in the non-Jewish sector.”
FULL EQUALITY?!? Who is kidding whom? When “Israeli arabs” are prepared to fight in the IDF AGAINST Israel’s enemies (instead of BEING Israel’s ENEMY) then we (theoretically) might start thinking about there being equality!