Israeli settlers largely back housing protests but wary of left-wing slant
Settlers agree the burden on the public must be eased, but see current housing protests as an effort by left-wing activists to piggyback on justified grievances in order to promote the broader diplomatic agenda of the left.
By Chaim Levinson Tags: Israel protests West Bank Israel settlers Israel housing protestAfter two weeks of front-page headlines about demonstrations over the high cost of housing, Yehuda Shimon - a lawyer from the West Bank Jewish settlement outpost of Havat Gilad - decided on Thursday that the time had come for him to visit Tel Aviv himself for a firsthand look at the tent city on Rothschild Boulevard. As an expert in the never-ending struggle over the unauthorized Havat Gilad outpost, Shimon thought he might be able to learn a thing or two from the Tel Aviv demonstrators.
After surveying the scene, Shimon returned to Havat Gilad disappointed. Calling the protest tent encampment "one big, despicable summer camp," Shimon proclaimed that the tent city was not a genuine protest; his impression was that most of the protesters seemed to have come out of mere summer boredom. "Once the boredom passes, this whole battle will die out," Shimon predicted.
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A demonstrator arguing with police in the center of Tel Aviv on Sunday July 31, 2011. |
| Photo by: AFP |
Yet even as Shimon spoke, his wife Ilana challenged his remarks.
"The protest is justified," she said. "You can't raise children in this country."
The difference of opinion between Yehuda Shimon and his wife appears to be a reflection of wider sentiments among residents of the West Bank settlements. On one hand, they agree that the burden on the public must be eased. On the other, they see the current housing protests as an effort by left-wing activists to piggyback on justified grievances in order to promote the broader diplomatic agenda of the left.
"I agree with the principles of the protest, but not with the goals of the protest," said Yigal Dimoni, deputy director for information of the Yesha Council of settlements.
The middle class has been hurt in recent years, Dimoni said. "I bear the burden of army reserve duty [and] taxes," he said. "Three years ago, I understood there was a problem."
Dimoni cited an increase in the cost of housing in the settlements, and increased taxation on the value of his leased car. He also noted a shortage of day care centers in the settlements.
However, he said, the protesters are not out to solve problems, but rather they are looking for ways to attack Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Netanyahu is not my cup of tea," Dimoni stated, "but there is no other goal [than opposition to the prime minister]. There are organizations standing behind [the protesters, but] they're not trying to think about solutions." Powerful left-wing groups have an interest in wearing Netanyahu down before a possible September confrontation at the United Nations over recognition of a Palestinian state, he said. "The parties on the left have neglected society, the economy, the positive sides, and have worked only on a peace agenda," he said.
Uzi Baruch, editor of the right-wing Arutz Sheva website, also challenged the protesters' political slant, arguing that the protests have taken on a radical left-wing tone.
"Many in the religious community are in favor of the protests," Baruch said, "but the protest leaders are making mistake after mistake. They bring in [writers] Meir Shalev and Yoram Kaniuk, who attack the right."
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between the settlers and the religious nutters which has been papered over up to now. Lieberman's and Shas's involvement in the current government in which they haven't even bothered to hide their agenda, attempted to silence all opposition and shovelled sack fullls of money into their voter base has tipped the vast majority of normal decent Israelis over the edge. If settlers can have subsidised housing, why can't every single Israeli? That is what is behind their opposition of these demonstrations. The settlers have lived the good life since 1976, that time is now coming to an end, and obviously they don't like the fact.
LOL.
Why care about the opinion of the settlers as long as they dont live in Israel?
DO NOT support this Leftist upraising, whose goal is to reject everything this government does, bring down Bibi in order to let support the International's community to give the Arabs everything they want without any negotiation or compromise. Have no doubt the goal of these protests, named 'Social Justice', mimics Arab revolution, Marxist power grabs, with the end result being a weakened Jewish state, and it's ultimate demise. Stay away if you love Israel.
With 6,000,000,000 Dollars " Hand Out " from US every year....... and Free Land albeit Stolen , from The Palestinian People... Why is Housing Expensive ... ?
It's 2.3 billion, you gave more to some of your country's enemies last year too.
The peasants can complain but they better not complain about us! Typical arrogance from the settlers.
I, too, understand and support the move to get the government to address needs of regular citizens for housing, health, etc. But, will quickly withdraw my support if it becomes a left slanted excuse to bash the government in a general way.
At least the religious Jews know what they want to do. Can the same be said for leftists?
Right wing Israelis try to give the impression that the left wingers are enemies of the state. In other words, right wingers believe themselves to be the state. This is not how a democracy works. Minorities should have rights to protect them from a vengeful majority. Israel lacks this protection as well as any protection for minorities.
d
and I'm a settler.
Left wing or social democrat. Can somebody here define "left wing" and place it on the spectrum of Israeli political parties.Is a social democrat considered a left winger in Israel?
is a radical self hating extreme leftist. Pretty much anything left of the European far right/ tea party is deemed a leftist here. That goes for social, economic, and foreign policy arenas
They are afraid they will get less money, less protection, less attention. Wont get everything they want. They are destroying our nation. This is not only leftists protesting. Now the municipalities are supporting the protests. Everybody the precious settlers. The selfish settlers who want everything, who take everything. Get rid of the settlements!
Not like leftists who care only about arabs or europe opinion.
You convinced me with that rational, well explained, authoritative response.
Build in Yehuda and Shomron!
Many forget that it was not right wing capitalists who founded the State of Israel. It was a bunch of people who were not American Republican Capitalists and Robber Barons like Leland Stanford and JP Morgan and John Rockefeller. The Founders had a different perspective than today's government.
This is the beginning ....
They are not necessarily Israeli, but Jewish. Not the same thing, not the same agenda, not the same loyalty.
Imagine how you would react of someone wrote similarly about "Israeli Arabs"
Many issues would be solved. These leftists are looking to bring down the Govt. with their Socialist agenda. Time to bring in the Yassamniks, like they did at Amona. See the difference between the Left and Bibi ?? The Left would bust the heads of the protesters.
The settlers SHOULD be worried - sooner or later the protest movement will have to address the problem of spending exorbitant amounts of money on the settlements - way out of proportion to the % of the Jewish population that lives in them - at the expense of the vast majority of Jews who live inside the Green Line. It is also time we stopped labeling this 'Left' and 'Right' - terms which refer to attitudes to capitalism, socialism and social democracy. What we really mean is 'doves', who believe in accommodation with the Palestinians, and 'hawks', who don't.
Note the complete absence of the words "Israel" and "Israelis" anywhere within his post. According to Michael's world-view the only thing that matters is the percentage of the "Jewish population who live inside the Green Line", versus that percentage that does not. Michael, matey, there is ANOTHER segment of Israeli society that is many times larger than the settler population (the Israeli Arabs, perhaps you have heard of them?) and maybe, juuuuuuust maybe, their voice should be heard too?
There are only "Jews", and his world-view is restricted to the differing opinions of the Jewish population inside the Green Line against the views of the Jewish population who lives outside that line. Michael, ever want to consider that there is ANOTHER group (the Israeli Arabs, perhaps you have heard of them?) who number many times that of the settlers, and yet they appear to be utterly invisible to you.......
Housing, protection, land purchases, police and legal costs for their law breaking. They have been an enormous drain on our society in every way, costing us enormous sums of money and international goodwill.
progressives, or moderates for non-settlers. A more fitting and accurate description, and not bound by economic definitions.
Maybe the Israeli government needs to reassess where it directs its financial resource. Clearly the the rationale that the Israeli taxpayers should pay for illegal settlements at the expense of secular Israelis is not too popular with the Israeli electorate. Could be the coalition has overstepped its remit, and now the Israelis see their mistake, and elect a government that's committed to democracy, not in establishing a theocracy.
those who were here in 1948? 2,000 years ago? anyone born here? why is someone who lives in Alon Shvit less indigenous than someone who lives in Tel Aviv?
Settlers are afraid that Bibi may start building in west bank for real Israel citizens and the settlers has to compete with them for land since they can not steal lands any more. So if they can not beat them join them and try to scuffle and movement.
still not connected. it needs spokesmen in the knesset and a definite agenda. it is natural that there would be a conflict between settlers and city folks, left and right, and that is not resolveable, but a basic difference in outlook.
...if there actually WAS an opposition in parliament... if e.g. livni had addressed anything before in this matter - about which she knew... then (a) she could have made points within the people and (b) those people would think someone takes care of their needs... but this "opposition" you really can dump into the bin... kadima is SO useless, that they are damaging the country... opposition has a task and responsibility, too... in terms of failure, jmho, i think kadima sucks must... from bibi & co there isnt much to expect anyway... it should be kadima, who - when the government does so bad - who keeps the peoples spirit up... "next elections we vote differently", "lets wait, how far they can get through with their ideas"... but there is nothing coming from them... maybe this is the worst of it all...
Look what the Egyptians accomplished by demanding reform, and rejecting all the bandaides that were offered. Fundamental change across the spectrum is what's needed - that is rapidly becoming apparent. It would foolish at this point for the protesters to provide specific solutions and allow Bibi to plug a few holes with bubble gum and promises so he can call it all good...
israel is and has been a democracy with free elections, free press and independent judiciary.
I thought you were smart enough to conceptualize...but I guess not. Or were you pulling that old redirection ploy again?
Grievances are legit, but protesters are not interested in solutions, just bringing down PM.
Just so happens that Bibi is smack dab in the middle of that system! Byb-bye, Bibi...
Once they invoke Che Guevera into the mix, all ligitimacy flies out the window. The Left wouldn't give them one more shekel than the Right. They're deluded
The settlers just don't get it. They are part of the problem. To the detriment of all other sectors of society, the government pours money into illegal settlements and supports large haredi families who refuse to work.
The goons from the PA are illegal. Ever been to a Settlement ? I'll bet my last dollar you haven't even been to the region, much less a Settlement. Educate yourself, Doc
the protest id "left leaning"? Of course they're going to say that...because they know if the protester's demands are addressed honestly, their whole enterprise is at risk!
and caused israeli isolation in the world.. to try and seperate out one issue is impossible. everything is related. when it moves from street theatre to politics, it will run into real politiks and there will be a falling out.
The Left will hijack the core issues by making this a Settler/Palestinian problem. What Echo and the Left miss is that the Arabs will never be satisfied until every single Jew leaves the ME. These protesters may think they're immune to Islamic attempts to evict them from Israel. Anybody with reality and foresight knows better. The heroic Settlers are infinitely finer than these Tel Aviv nobodies, who only wish to mooch off the State or the wealthy. Same as millions in the US, wanting the State to support their lives while they do absolutely nothing.
The REAL problem is that after 2000 years a bunch of rich educated European Jews decided to 'go home' and were surprised that the Arabs that were living there didn't welcome them with open arms when they told them they were going to create a Jewish state. Comprende?...