Settler leaders: Construction freeze can't stop us
Settlers rally against Obama summit outside PM office; Likud Min.: Jews have right to settle in Israel.
By Chaim Levinson Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Barack Obama Israel news Israel settlersSettler leaders on Monday urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stand by his defense of growth in West Bank communities, vowing that they would continue construction regardless of whether Israel gave in to U.S. demands.
"We will build despite any freeze," said Moshe Rozenbaum, head of the Beit El settlement council, at a protest tent in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on Monday. "You can't stop a community of more than 1,000 residents."
The protest tent was pitched ahead of a tripartite summit in New York planned for Tuesday between the leaders of the United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
In their plea to Netanyahu, the settler leaders said that the prime minister had promised in his election campaign to defend these communities and implored him to make good on his pledges.
Several public figures visited the tent during the course of the day, including minister without portfolio Benny Begin (Likud).
"Your position is important and the stances that you present are important," Begin told the settlers. "One cannot come and brutally trample the right of the Jews to settle the Land of Israel."
U.S. President Barack Obama will host the meeting Tuesday with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in an effort to lay the groundwork for renewed peace talks.
Settlers fear that Netanyahu may announce a halt to construction in West Bank settlements at the summit, or as a result of ensuing peace negotiations.
In the tent on Monday, Begin added: "The attempt to present the Israeli government with preconditions for negotiations, let alone for a meeting, which state that all settlements should be halted indefinitely goes against reason; common sense ultimately prevailed."
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
Law is more than words, it is enforcement. To the extent that Netanyahu does not prevent construction an argument can be made that the squatters are not criminals. But, of course, that makes Netanyahu a criminal in their place. It is a role played by every Israeli "Godfather," aka PM, since 1948.
about borders and then abandon those settlers that are outside the agreed upon borders of Israel. Maybe then they will come running back to papa. If not, then they can live under Palestinian rule.
about borders and then abandon those settlers that are outside the agreed upon borders of Israel. Maybe then they will come running back to papa. If not, then they can live under Palestinian rule.
about borders and then abandon those settlers that are outside the agreed upon borders of Israel. Maybe then they will come running back to papa. If not, then they can live under Palestinian rule.
Wasn't the Christians taking the holy land by force called the Crusades? A very dark period in Christian history. I will be history will judge the current Jewish Crusade on the holy land, attaining religious goals by force, with the same disapproval.
It would be very easy for Israel to make the area past the wall/fence a no-go zone for any Settler trouble-makers. All it takes is someone to get serious.
Arabs are building anywhere and everywhere while Jews are told not to build. We are told this is not to change "facts on the ground" so if so why do Arabs build and build??? This is immoral! Stop taking civil rights away from Jewish residents!
Boy, we have heard that before, just didn't think we would have to hear it again from israel of all places. Israel has made many meaningless offers over the years, but a settlement freeze would have real meaning and, somehow, Israel can't manage that.
BB: "The attempt to present the Israeli government with preconditions for negotiations, let alone for a meeting, which state that all settlements should be halted indefinitely goes against reason; common sense ultimately prevailed." Someone needs to get Israel a dictionary, because being asked to abide by prior agreements is not a "precondition". Claiming that it is means that you are claiming that you didn't actually agree to that "prior agreement". Errr, no, Israel agreed as far back as 2003 to freeze all construction as part of Phase 1 of the Road Map. Israel's agreements are worthless, are they, when Israel decides that it is "unreasonable" to expect her to keep to them? Then what's the point of negotiating ANYTHING with Israel?
If I had to get a permit to build my house in the Galilee, then these jerks have to do the same. These people have the mentality that the Earth should stop spinning just for them. The care only about themselves and DEFINITELY not the State of Israel
"...of more than 1,000 residents." Nor could you hold a community of more than 3 million hostage, which the settlers are doing to the Palestinians!
Then there are 4 million (?) Arabs living in Palestine/Israel. Do they all have the right to vote, and will there be equal rights and opportunities in the "only democracy" in the Middle East? Or is there a plan for massive ethnic cleansing? Can anyone clarify?
I would agree that it WAS Jewish land several thousand years ago, but that certainly doesn't mean that things haven't changed after Jews left and others moved in. As to the land having been given by God, I'm sure every tribe claims the land it lives on was given to it by God. However, to my knowledge the only evidence of this is found in books written by Jews, and one must agree that their testimony is prejudiced
even as it grows defiant, threatening, and beyond israel's control. one has to wonder what lies ahead for the "democratic" state of israel should it ever confront this monster, who falls under the immediate jurisdiction of a military in which it "currently" controls the loyalty of over one third?
Glad to see that the settler movement confirm that they are indeed a bunch of hooligans.
I am starting a movement to settle the "Christian" Holy land with Christians.
The Settlers are very determined to continue the illegal settlements and will fight to the very last IDF troop to do so. Israel, get some control over them or continue the conflicts.
really? Mister settler? Freeze is what you need to do, is not your land and you new this before you start to bring people there.
Perhaps the settlers should consider stopping themselves for the benefit of all Israel.
So you talk that is not allowed to jews to build in Samaria and Judea, dude you really need some history books and see that is Israeli land so get a clue. Since the arabs wished to destroy the jews in many wars, they lost the land, by irnoy is all Jewish land given by G'd. Impossible to be more fair.
Friend Begin has a problem because he is against trampling something that doesn't exist (the right to settle where they are trying to).