25 feb 2015
Yair Lapid
Competing factions grill each other after state comptroller releases report examining the source of the current housing crisis, which has led to soaring housing prices; Likud and its allies blame Lapid while others place blame with Netanyahu.
Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid welcomed the report by State Comptroller Yosef Shapira, released Tuesday, which outlines the causes of the current housing crisis.
"This is an important report that investigates Netanyahu's years of failure and neglects in handling housing problems in Israel. The public should know who is responsible for the national housing crisis," said Lapid on Tuesday.
Yesh Atid also criticized previous governments, claiming that they had "watched the growing housing crisis from the side and did nothing about it."
"We did not wait for the comptroller's report in order to deal with the problems and failures that accumulated for years because the housing crisis was ignored," said the Yesh Atid party.
Lapid's words did not stop Likud MK Miri Regev for placing the blame for the housing crisis squarely with Lapid and said that he should take the blame since he was chairman of the housing cabinet in Netanyahu's government for the past two years.
"You have nobody to blame," said Regev to Lapid. "You were the chairman of the housing cabinet. Take responsibility." Regev added: "This is an ongoing problem, shared by many governments and several professional bodies. Netanyahu was the first to recognize the problem and therefore established the housing cabinet, headed by Lapid, with wide powers – almost like a government. Unfortunately, Lapid did not perform his duties properly."
Regev's dismissed the report's wording which stated that the Netanyahu government failed to realize the problem before the housing crisis emerged. The pro-settler Bayit Yehudi political party, headed by Naftali Bennett, said Wednesday that the housing report "proves that Housing Minister Uri Ariel correctly identified the failures when he entered his position and knew how to operate in order to fix the damages that had accumulated over the years."
"The minister Uri Ariel plan, which brought record marketing of 50 thousand apartments since the establishment of the state, planned and carried out the target price plan, signed rent ceiling plans with local authorities, tripled the inventory planning and promoted the path to an apartment plan – it is the only solution for the housing crisis."
The Bayit Yehudi response, thus, failed to mention who they blamed for the current housing prices – focusing attention, instead, to the work of their own party member. Former prime minister Ehud Olmert also offered his response Wednesday to the report released by the state comptroller. "According to official statistics from the Central Bureau of Statistics, in the four years that Olmert served as finance minister and later on as prime minister there was a real decline that included a 2 percent reduction in housing prices.
"The dramatic and destructive rise in the price of housing occurred during Netanyahu's governance. However, like always, everyone except for Netanyahu is blamed except for the sitting prime minister for the past six years. Instead of running away from responsibility, and making up embarrassing excuses, it has come time for Netanyahu to look at the Israeli public straight in the eyes and admit that he failed."
The Kulanu party, headed by former Likud member Moshe Kahlon, blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahum, along with former finance minister Yair Lapid, an Economy Minister Naftali Bennett for the high cost of living associated with the recent housing crisis. The sharp criticism made by Kulanu came after a report released by the state comptroller Wednesday outlined the decisions and policies that led to a sharp rise in housing prices.
The Kulanu party says the report gives a "failing grade to the Netanyahu-Lapid-Bennett high cost of living government."
"The Israeli public does not need this kind of report or another in order to understand the catastrophic situation that we are in," the Kulanu party added. "Unfortunately, the report does not investigate the biggest failure of recent years – Yair Lapid's 0% VAT plan. The plan caused great damage to the Israeli public in general, especially young couples…It's time that the guilty, led by former finance minister Yair Lapid, take responsibility."
Competing factions grill each other after state comptroller releases report examining the source of the current housing crisis, which has led to soaring housing prices; Likud and its allies blame Lapid while others place blame with Netanyahu.
Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid welcomed the report by State Comptroller Yosef Shapira, released Tuesday, which outlines the causes of the current housing crisis.
"This is an important report that investigates Netanyahu's years of failure and neglects in handling housing problems in Israel. The public should know who is responsible for the national housing crisis," said Lapid on Tuesday.
Yesh Atid also criticized previous governments, claiming that they had "watched the growing housing crisis from the side and did nothing about it."
"We did not wait for the comptroller's report in order to deal with the problems and failures that accumulated for years because the housing crisis was ignored," said the Yesh Atid party.
Lapid's words did not stop Likud MK Miri Regev for placing the blame for the housing crisis squarely with Lapid and said that he should take the blame since he was chairman of the housing cabinet in Netanyahu's government for the past two years.
"You have nobody to blame," said Regev to Lapid. "You were the chairman of the housing cabinet. Take responsibility." Regev added: "This is an ongoing problem, shared by many governments and several professional bodies. Netanyahu was the first to recognize the problem and therefore established the housing cabinet, headed by Lapid, with wide powers – almost like a government. Unfortunately, Lapid did not perform his duties properly."
Regev's dismissed the report's wording which stated that the Netanyahu government failed to realize the problem before the housing crisis emerged. The pro-settler Bayit Yehudi political party, headed by Naftali Bennett, said Wednesday that the housing report "proves that Housing Minister Uri Ariel correctly identified the failures when he entered his position and knew how to operate in order to fix the damages that had accumulated over the years."
"The minister Uri Ariel plan, which brought record marketing of 50 thousand apartments since the establishment of the state, planned and carried out the target price plan, signed rent ceiling plans with local authorities, tripled the inventory planning and promoted the path to an apartment plan – it is the only solution for the housing crisis."
The Bayit Yehudi response, thus, failed to mention who they blamed for the current housing prices – focusing attention, instead, to the work of their own party member. Former prime minister Ehud Olmert also offered his response Wednesday to the report released by the state comptroller. "According to official statistics from the Central Bureau of Statistics, in the four years that Olmert served as finance minister and later on as prime minister there was a real decline that included a 2 percent reduction in housing prices.
"The dramatic and destructive rise in the price of housing occurred during Netanyahu's governance. However, like always, everyone except for Netanyahu is blamed except for the sitting prime minister for the past six years. Instead of running away from responsibility, and making up embarrassing excuses, it has come time for Netanyahu to look at the Israeli public straight in the eyes and admit that he failed."
The Kulanu party, headed by former Likud member Moshe Kahlon, blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahum, along with former finance minister Yair Lapid, an Economy Minister Naftali Bennett for the high cost of living associated with the recent housing crisis. The sharp criticism made by Kulanu came after a report released by the state comptroller Wednesday outlined the decisions and policies that led to a sharp rise in housing prices.
The Kulanu party says the report gives a "failing grade to the Netanyahu-Lapid-Bennett high cost of living government."
"The Israeli public does not need this kind of report or another in order to understand the catastrophic situation that we are in," the Kulanu party added. "Unfortunately, the report does not investigate the biggest failure of recent years – Yair Lapid's 0% VAT plan. The plan caused great damage to the Israeli public in general, especially young couples…It's time that the guilty, led by former finance minister Yair Lapid, take responsibility."
Obama administration clarifies comments after national security adviser criticizes Netanyahu's scheduled address to Congress on Iran.
The White House said on Wednesday that reducing the US-Israel relationship to two political parties is "destructive" to the bond between the countries, clarifying previous comments made by President Barack Obama's national security adviser.
National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Netanyahu's March 3 speech, which was arranged by Republican congressional leaders, has "injected a degree of partisanship" into a relationship that should be above politics. "It's destructive to the fabric of the relationship," Rice told the Charlie Rose show Tuesday. "It's always been bipartisan. We need to keep it that way."
Rice's statements were among the Obama administration's toughest public criticism of Netanyahu's speech and the negative impact it could have on the close alliances between the US and Israel. The Israeli leader's speech was arranged without the White House or State Department's knowledge, a move the administration blasted as a breach of diplomatic protocol. Rice's comments came as Netanyahu turned down an invitation to meet privately with Senate Democrats during his trip to Washington, saying such a session could "compound the misperception of partisanship" surrounding his visit.
"I regret that the invitation to address the special joint session of Congress has been perceived by some to be political or partisan," Netanyahu wrote in a letter to Sens. Dick Durbin, and Dianne Feinstein. "I can assure you that my sole intention in accepting it was to voice Israel's grave concerns about a potential nuclear agreement with Iran that could threaten the survival of my country."
US officials believe Netanyahu's trip is aimed primarily at derailing a nuclear deal with Iran, Obama's signature foreign policy objective. While Netanyahu has long been skeptical of the negotiations, his opposition has increased over what he sees as Obama's willingness to make concessions that would leave Iran on the brink of being able to build a nuclear weapon. The White House has been weighing ways to counter Netanyahu's address to Congress, as well as separate speech to the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The administration is still weighing whom to send to the conference, with some officials pushing for a lower level representative than normal. There are no plans for Obama to meet with Netanyahu next week, with the White House officially citing its practice of not engaging with world leaders in close proximity to elections. Israel's elections are set for March 17.
Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry will be traveling abroad on trips that were only announced after Netanyahu accepted lawmakers' invitation to speak to Congress. More than a half-dozen House and Senate Democrats have said they will skip the speech, calling it an affront to Obama and the administration as they engage in high-level negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
The White House said on Wednesday that reducing the US-Israel relationship to two political parties is "destructive" to the bond between the countries, clarifying previous comments made by President Barack Obama's national security adviser.
National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Netanyahu's March 3 speech, which was arranged by Republican congressional leaders, has "injected a degree of partisanship" into a relationship that should be above politics. "It's destructive to the fabric of the relationship," Rice told the Charlie Rose show Tuesday. "It's always been bipartisan. We need to keep it that way."
Rice's statements were among the Obama administration's toughest public criticism of Netanyahu's speech and the negative impact it could have on the close alliances between the US and Israel. The Israeli leader's speech was arranged without the White House or State Department's knowledge, a move the administration blasted as a breach of diplomatic protocol. Rice's comments came as Netanyahu turned down an invitation to meet privately with Senate Democrats during his trip to Washington, saying such a session could "compound the misperception of partisanship" surrounding his visit.
"I regret that the invitation to address the special joint session of Congress has been perceived by some to be political or partisan," Netanyahu wrote in a letter to Sens. Dick Durbin, and Dianne Feinstein. "I can assure you that my sole intention in accepting it was to voice Israel's grave concerns about a potential nuclear agreement with Iran that could threaten the survival of my country."
US officials believe Netanyahu's trip is aimed primarily at derailing a nuclear deal with Iran, Obama's signature foreign policy objective. While Netanyahu has long been skeptical of the negotiations, his opposition has increased over what he sees as Obama's willingness to make concessions that would leave Iran on the brink of being able to build a nuclear weapon. The White House has been weighing ways to counter Netanyahu's address to Congress, as well as separate speech to the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The administration is still weighing whom to send to the conference, with some officials pushing for a lower level representative than normal. There are no plans for Obama to meet with Netanyahu next week, with the White House officially citing its practice of not engaging with world leaders in close proximity to elections. Israel's elections are set for March 17.
Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry will be traveling abroad on trips that were only announced after Netanyahu accepted lawmakers' invitation to speak to Congress. More than a half-dozen House and Senate Democrats have said they will skip the speech, calling it an affront to Obama and the administration as they engage in high-level negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
Netanyahu slams US-led nuclear negotiations with Tehran, a week before a scheduled address to Congress in Washington.
In his sharpest criticism yet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that world powers "have given up" on stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons in ongoing negotiations.
Netanyahu's comments, at a meeting of his Likud Party outside of Jerusalem, come as he plans to address the US Congress on the nuclear negotiations.
The West fears Iran could build an atomic bomb with its nuclear program. Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes. The Islamic Republic is now negotiating a final deal with the US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany, with hopes of on a preliminary deal in March and a follow-up pact in June. Netanyahu, as well as many in Israel, view a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to its very existence, citing Tehran's repeated calls for Israel's destruction and its support for groups like Hezbollah.
In his remarks, Netanyahu said that the greatest challenge Israel faces is "the threat of Iran arming itself with nuclear weapons with a declared goal of annihilating us." "From the agreement that is forming it appears that they (world powers) have given up on that commitment and are accepting that Iran will gradually, within a few years, develop capabilities to produce material for many nuclear weapons," he said.
"They might accept this but I am not willing to accept this." Netanyahu's remarks come amid an uproar over his upcoming visit to Washington. He accepted a Republican invitation to address Congress about Iran in early March, but the speech has angered the Obama administration because it was arranged without consulting the White House, a breach of diplomatic protocol.
Relations between Netanyahu and the White House always have been tense. His planned speech also has drawn fire in Israel, coming just two weeks before national elections. Netanyahu has rejected the criticism, saying it is his duty to lobby against the nuclear deal.
In his sharpest criticism yet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that world powers "have given up" on stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons in ongoing negotiations.
Netanyahu's comments, at a meeting of his Likud Party outside of Jerusalem, come as he plans to address the US Congress on the nuclear negotiations.
The West fears Iran could build an atomic bomb with its nuclear program. Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes. The Islamic Republic is now negotiating a final deal with the US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany, with hopes of on a preliminary deal in March and a follow-up pact in June. Netanyahu, as well as many in Israel, view a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to its very existence, citing Tehran's repeated calls for Israel's destruction and its support for groups like Hezbollah.
In his remarks, Netanyahu said that the greatest challenge Israel faces is "the threat of Iran arming itself with nuclear weapons with a declared goal of annihilating us." "From the agreement that is forming it appears that they (world powers) have given up on that commitment and are accepting that Iran will gradually, within a few years, develop capabilities to produce material for many nuclear weapons," he said.
"They might accept this but I am not willing to accept this." Netanyahu's remarks come amid an uproar over his upcoming visit to Washington. He accepted a Republican invitation to address Congress about Iran in early March, but the speech has angered the Obama administration because it was arranged without consulting the White House, a breach of diplomatic protocol.
Relations between Netanyahu and the White House always have been tense. His planned speech also has drawn fire in Israel, coming just two weeks before national elections. Netanyahu has rejected the criticism, saying it is his duty to lobby against the nuclear deal.
The Atlantic's Jeffery Goldberg reports Israeli ambassador to DC worked frantically to try to get representatives from moderate Arab nations to attend Netanyahu speech, but was rejected; report further claims Netanyahu's national security advisor objects to speech.
At Prime Minister Netanyahu's behest, Israel's ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, has unsuccessfully attempted to enlist ambassadors from moderate Arab states to attended Netanyahu's planned address to the US Congress on the looming nuclear deal between the world and Iran, Jeffery Goldberg claimed in The Atlantic magazine Wednesday morning.
The report further claimed that Yossi Cohen, Netanyahu's national security advisor, told a couple of officials in the US that he wished Netanyahu's speech would not take place. According to Goldberg, who cited Israeli sources, at Netanyahu's request, Dermer personally e-mailed Arab the ambassadors from Kuwait and the United Arab Emirate pleading for their attendance at the March 3th speech, but to no avail.
The report said Dermer tried to convoy the longstanding Israeli talking point that a nuclear Iran is a threat not just to Israel but to the entire world, especially regional forces like the moderate Sunni Gulf states. The report further noted that Netanyahu's national security advisor Yossi Cohen told at least two people that he wished the speech were not taking place.
According to source contacted by Goldberg and who spoke with Cohen, Netanyahu's aide echoed claims made by his American counterpart – Susan Rice – on Wednesday, according to which the speech's timing – two weeks before the Israeli elections – paints both Israel and the Iranian issue in partisan colors, a move which Rice said was nothing short of "destructive" for Israel-US ties. Sources in the Prime Minister's Office in Israel told Ynet that Cohen supports the speech, and finds the current timing necessary for the task at hand.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu rejected an invitation to meet with two Democratic senators, citing fears it would further fuel claims that his speech was turning Israel and the looming nuclear deal with Iran into a partisan issue. Republican congressional leaders broke diplomatic protocol by consulting neither the White House nor Democrats in Congress before inviting Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and Senate.
Netanyahu has faced criticism at home and abroad for his decision to address the US Congress two weeks before Israeli elections and at a sensitive point in international negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
"Though I greatly appreciate your kind invitation to meet with Democratic Senators, I believe that doing so at this time could compound the misperception of partisanship regarding my upcoming visit," Netanyahu wrote in a letter to Senators Richard Durbin and Dianne Feinstein obtained by Reuters.
Durbin and Feinstein, two senior Senate Democrats, invited Netanyahu to a closed-door meeting with Democratic senators in a letter on Monday, warning that making US-Israeli relations a partisan political issue could have "lasting repercussions."
In his letter, Netanyahu said he agreed "wholeheartedly" that strong ties between the United States and Israel have been built on bipartisan support. "I also fully understand the importance of bipartisan support for ensuring that our alliance remains strong in the future," he wrote.
He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to address lawmakers from both parties on Tuesday and said he regretted that the invitation has been perceived by some as partisan.
"I can assure you my sole intention in accepting it was to voice Israel's grave concerns about a potential nuclear agreement with Iran that could threaten the survival of my country," Netanyahu wrote.
He said he would be glad to address a bipartisan meeting of senators during a future visit to Washington. Spokesmen for Durbin and Feinstein could not immediately be reached for comment.
At Prime Minister Netanyahu's behest, Israel's ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, has unsuccessfully attempted to enlist ambassadors from moderate Arab states to attended Netanyahu's planned address to the US Congress on the looming nuclear deal between the world and Iran, Jeffery Goldberg claimed in The Atlantic magazine Wednesday morning.
The report further claimed that Yossi Cohen, Netanyahu's national security advisor, told a couple of officials in the US that he wished Netanyahu's speech would not take place. According to Goldberg, who cited Israeli sources, at Netanyahu's request, Dermer personally e-mailed Arab the ambassadors from Kuwait and the United Arab Emirate pleading for their attendance at the March 3th speech, but to no avail.
The report said Dermer tried to convoy the longstanding Israeli talking point that a nuclear Iran is a threat not just to Israel but to the entire world, especially regional forces like the moderate Sunni Gulf states. The report further noted that Netanyahu's national security advisor Yossi Cohen told at least two people that he wished the speech were not taking place.
According to source contacted by Goldberg and who spoke with Cohen, Netanyahu's aide echoed claims made by his American counterpart – Susan Rice – on Wednesday, according to which the speech's timing – two weeks before the Israeli elections – paints both Israel and the Iranian issue in partisan colors, a move which Rice said was nothing short of "destructive" for Israel-US ties. Sources in the Prime Minister's Office in Israel told Ynet that Cohen supports the speech, and finds the current timing necessary for the task at hand.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu rejected an invitation to meet with two Democratic senators, citing fears it would further fuel claims that his speech was turning Israel and the looming nuclear deal with Iran into a partisan issue. Republican congressional leaders broke diplomatic protocol by consulting neither the White House nor Democrats in Congress before inviting Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and Senate.
Netanyahu has faced criticism at home and abroad for his decision to address the US Congress two weeks before Israeli elections and at a sensitive point in international negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
"Though I greatly appreciate your kind invitation to meet with Democratic Senators, I believe that doing so at this time could compound the misperception of partisanship regarding my upcoming visit," Netanyahu wrote in a letter to Senators Richard Durbin and Dianne Feinstein obtained by Reuters.
Durbin and Feinstein, two senior Senate Democrats, invited Netanyahu to a closed-door meeting with Democratic senators in a letter on Monday, warning that making US-Israeli relations a partisan political issue could have "lasting repercussions."
In his letter, Netanyahu said he agreed "wholeheartedly" that strong ties between the United States and Israel have been built on bipartisan support. "I also fully understand the importance of bipartisan support for ensuring that our alliance remains strong in the future," he wrote.
He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to address lawmakers from both parties on Tuesday and said he regretted that the invitation has been perceived by some as partisan.
"I can assure you my sole intention in accepting it was to voice Israel's grave concerns about a potential nuclear agreement with Iran that could threaten the survival of my country," Netanyahu wrote.
He said he would be glad to address a bipartisan meeting of senators during a future visit to Washington. Spokesmen for Durbin and Feinstein could not immediately be reached for comment.
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Netanyahu declines US Democrats' invitation for meet during controversial US visit, citing fears of fanning partisan flames as National Security advisor slams Congress speech as 'not only unfortunate… but destructive' to Israel-US ties.
National Security Advisor Susan Rice warned Wednesday night that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned address to the US Congress is "not only unfortunate" but "destructive to the fabric" of Israel-US ties. Meanwhile, Netanyahu rejected an invitation to meet with two Democratic senators, citing fears it would further fuel claims that his speech was turning Israel and the looming nuclear deal with Iran into a partisan issue. |
Republican congressional leaders broke diplomatic protocol by consulting neither the White House nor Democrats in Congress before inviting Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and Senate.
Netanyahu has faced criticism at home and abroad for his decision to address the US Congress two weeks before Israeli elections and at a sensitive point in international negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
Rice, who spoke with Charlie Rose, echoed such claims of partisanship, and said that the US and Israel have "been fortunate that politics have not been injected into that relationship."
However, she added that in wake of Netanyahu's acceptance of Boehner's invitation to address Congress "two weeks in advance of his election" has "injected a degree of partisanship" into the two countries relations. "It's always been bipartisan," she added, saying that "We need to keep it that way. We want it that way. I think Israel wants it that way. The American people want it that way. And when it becomes injected or infused with politics, that's a problem." Meanwhile, Netanyahu declined on Tuesday an invitation to meet with US Senate Democrats during his trip to Washington next week. "Though I greatly appreciate your kind invitation to meet with Democratic Senators, I believe that doing so at this time could compound the misperception of partisanship regarding my upcoming visit," Netanyahu wrote in a letter to Senators Richard Durbin and Dianne Feinstein obtained by Reuters.
Durbin and Feinstein, two senior Senate Democrats, invited Netanyahu to a closed-door meeting with Democratic senators in a letter on Monday, warning that making US-Israeli relations a partisan political issue could have "lasting repercussions." In his letter, Netanyahu said he agreed "wholeheartedly" that strong ties between the United States and Israel have been built on bipartisan support. "I also fully understand the importance of bipartisan support for ensuring that our alliance remains strong in the future," he wrote. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to address lawmakers from both parties on Tuesday and said he regretted that the invitation has been perceived by some as partisan.
"I can assure you my sole intention in accepting it was to voice Israel's grave concerns about a potential nuclear agreement with Iran that could threaten the survival of my country," Netanyahu wrote. He said he would be glad to address a bipartisan meeting of senators during a future visit to Washington. Spokesmen for Durbin and Feinstein could not immediately be reached for comment. Secretary of State John Kerry is defended the Obama administration's nuclear negotiations with Iran on Tuesday during a foreign appropriations committee meeting, saying the US policy is to prevent the Iranians from getting atomic weapons.
Kerry told Congress on Tuesday that the administration's policy is that "Iran will not get a nuclear weapon." He said opposition to a potential deal is misplaced because it is coming from people who don't know what an agreement might look like – an indirect jab at Netanyahu and a reiteration US government claims that Israel has "cherry-picked" information from the Iran talks and incorrectly represented them.
"Anybody running around right now jumping in to say, 'Well we don't like the deal,' or this or that, doesn't know what the deal is." Kerry added, "There is no deal yet, and I caution people to wait and see what these negotiations produce."
Kerry spoke a day after returning from the latest round of talks with Iran. US and Iranian officials reported progress on getting to a deal that would clamp down on Tehran's nuclear activities for at least 10 years but then slowly ease restrictions. Negotiators are rushing to try to meet a March 31 deadline for a framework agreement.
Netanyahu has faced criticism at home and abroad for his decision to address the US Congress two weeks before Israeli elections and at a sensitive point in international negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
Rice, who spoke with Charlie Rose, echoed such claims of partisanship, and said that the US and Israel have "been fortunate that politics have not been injected into that relationship."
However, she added that in wake of Netanyahu's acceptance of Boehner's invitation to address Congress "two weeks in advance of his election" has "injected a degree of partisanship" into the two countries relations. "It's always been bipartisan," she added, saying that "We need to keep it that way. We want it that way. I think Israel wants it that way. The American people want it that way. And when it becomes injected or infused with politics, that's a problem." Meanwhile, Netanyahu declined on Tuesday an invitation to meet with US Senate Democrats during his trip to Washington next week. "Though I greatly appreciate your kind invitation to meet with Democratic Senators, I believe that doing so at this time could compound the misperception of partisanship regarding my upcoming visit," Netanyahu wrote in a letter to Senators Richard Durbin and Dianne Feinstein obtained by Reuters.
Durbin and Feinstein, two senior Senate Democrats, invited Netanyahu to a closed-door meeting with Democratic senators in a letter on Monday, warning that making US-Israeli relations a partisan political issue could have "lasting repercussions." In his letter, Netanyahu said he agreed "wholeheartedly" that strong ties between the United States and Israel have been built on bipartisan support. "I also fully understand the importance of bipartisan support for ensuring that our alliance remains strong in the future," he wrote. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to address lawmakers from both parties on Tuesday and said he regretted that the invitation has been perceived by some as partisan.
"I can assure you my sole intention in accepting it was to voice Israel's grave concerns about a potential nuclear agreement with Iran that could threaten the survival of my country," Netanyahu wrote. He said he would be glad to address a bipartisan meeting of senators during a future visit to Washington. Spokesmen for Durbin and Feinstein could not immediately be reached for comment. Secretary of State John Kerry is defended the Obama administration's nuclear negotiations with Iran on Tuesday during a foreign appropriations committee meeting, saying the US policy is to prevent the Iranians from getting atomic weapons.
Kerry told Congress on Tuesday that the administration's policy is that "Iran will not get a nuclear weapon." He said opposition to a potential deal is misplaced because it is coming from people who don't know what an agreement might look like – an indirect jab at Netanyahu and a reiteration US government claims that Israel has "cherry-picked" information from the Iran talks and incorrectly represented them.
"Anybody running around right now jumping in to say, 'Well we don't like the deal,' or this or that, doesn't know what the deal is." Kerry added, "There is no deal yet, and I caution people to wait and see what these negotiations produce."
Kerry spoke a day after returning from the latest round of talks with Iran. US and Iranian officials reported progress on getting to a deal that would clamp down on Tehran's nuclear activities for at least 10 years but then slowly ease restrictions. Negotiators are rushing to try to meet a March 31 deadline for a framework agreement.
Lapid says housing report will show Likud's neglect of housing
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party goes head to head with Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid faction ahead of report which outlines processes and decisions that led to dire housing crisis.
Tension has begun to arise in the political system as anticipation grows ahead of a report set to be released tomorrow by State Comptroller Yosef Shapira's report on the housing crisis.
MKs in the Likud party have begun to personally attack Shapira and claim that the public should only receive the information contained in the report after the March elections. Meanwhile, the Likud members have tried to also place blame with Yair Lapid, who served as the finance minister for the last two years.
On the other hand, members of the Lapid's Yesh Atid party reviewed the report on Tuesday and said that it deals mostly with the years 2008 up until 2013, and details the failures and blockades that led to the steep rise in housing prices in Israel. "There are no escape routes for the Likud in this report," said sources within the Yesh Atid party. "Without going into the details of the report, only on paragraph refers to Lapid and several things are said praising him. The Likud's attempts to blur their failure in the housing sector will not be useful."
Lapid also took to his Facebook page to discuss the issue and wrote in a post: "I recommend that all of Israel's citizens read the important and in-depth report by the state comptroller carefully. Everything we've said in the past year is in that report in black and white. "Now it is no longer a claim by one party against the other, it is an official report by the state comptroller that backs all of our claims – the housing crisis in Israel is a direct result of neglect by Netanyahu and the Likud party.
Years of procrastination, inaction, barriers and corruption led to the housing prices to rise outrageously." One man who has directly attacked Lapid in the past days is Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, who said this week: "Let's tell the truth: You (Lapid) caused tremendous damage to the housing market in the past two years. And we fixed it and will continue to fix it." Bennett claimed that the main reason for the rise in housing prices lies in the demand for housing which grew because of Lapid's 0% VAT plan.
Chairman of the Kulanu party Moshe Kahlon visited Ynet's news studio this week and said that a housing crisis must be declared. "We have reached a situation where in order to buy an apartment you need 150 monthly pay checks. Six or seven years ago, it was 80-100 monthly salaries. In order to stop this bleeding, emergency laws are needed for a couple of years to lead to a shortening process. "A strong treatment in supply with enable the rise (in price) to stop. I expect the leaders to declare an emergency situation, along with (admit) that they failed in recent years.
The difference can be felt within a year." The state comptroller's report is supposed to detail the causes and procedures that led to the housing crisis, but the Likud faction think that the public should only find out what is in the report after the upcoming elections. On Monday, Likud MK Miri Regev turned to the attorney general with a request to delay the publication of the report – her request was not granted.
"The report is important but its timing is not right," said Regev.
"The moment its published during a time like this it loses its authenticity and looks like a political tool that was meant to taunt the prime minister. Instead of taking care of the matter itself, a political scent is rising from it. And regarding the essence: the housing problem is known to all and we were not in need of the report by the state comptroller in order to know about the problems. We worked in the past two years to find a solution to the crisis and will continue to work. Housing prices began to fall because the processes already began. We did not wait for a report for that."
Related: State Comptroller: Housing crisis spiraled and Netanyahu did little
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party goes head to head with Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid faction ahead of report which outlines processes and decisions that led to dire housing crisis.
Tension has begun to arise in the political system as anticipation grows ahead of a report set to be released tomorrow by State Comptroller Yosef Shapira's report on the housing crisis.
MKs in the Likud party have begun to personally attack Shapira and claim that the public should only receive the information contained in the report after the March elections. Meanwhile, the Likud members have tried to also place blame with Yair Lapid, who served as the finance minister for the last two years.
On the other hand, members of the Lapid's Yesh Atid party reviewed the report on Tuesday and said that it deals mostly with the years 2008 up until 2013, and details the failures and blockades that led to the steep rise in housing prices in Israel. "There are no escape routes for the Likud in this report," said sources within the Yesh Atid party. "Without going into the details of the report, only on paragraph refers to Lapid and several things are said praising him. The Likud's attempts to blur their failure in the housing sector will not be useful."
Lapid also took to his Facebook page to discuss the issue and wrote in a post: "I recommend that all of Israel's citizens read the important and in-depth report by the state comptroller carefully. Everything we've said in the past year is in that report in black and white. "Now it is no longer a claim by one party against the other, it is an official report by the state comptroller that backs all of our claims – the housing crisis in Israel is a direct result of neglect by Netanyahu and the Likud party.
Years of procrastination, inaction, barriers and corruption led to the housing prices to rise outrageously." One man who has directly attacked Lapid in the past days is Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, who said this week: "Let's tell the truth: You (Lapid) caused tremendous damage to the housing market in the past two years. And we fixed it and will continue to fix it." Bennett claimed that the main reason for the rise in housing prices lies in the demand for housing which grew because of Lapid's 0% VAT plan.
Chairman of the Kulanu party Moshe Kahlon visited Ynet's news studio this week and said that a housing crisis must be declared. "We have reached a situation where in order to buy an apartment you need 150 monthly pay checks. Six or seven years ago, it was 80-100 monthly salaries. In order to stop this bleeding, emergency laws are needed for a couple of years to lead to a shortening process. "A strong treatment in supply with enable the rise (in price) to stop. I expect the leaders to declare an emergency situation, along with (admit) that they failed in recent years.
The difference can be felt within a year." The state comptroller's report is supposed to detail the causes and procedures that led to the housing crisis, but the Likud faction think that the public should only find out what is in the report after the upcoming elections. On Monday, Likud MK Miri Regev turned to the attorney general with a request to delay the publication of the report – her request was not granted.
"The report is important but its timing is not right," said Regev.
"The moment its published during a time like this it loses its authenticity and looks like a political tool that was meant to taunt the prime minister. Instead of taking care of the matter itself, a political scent is rising from it. And regarding the essence: the housing problem is known to all and we were not in need of the report by the state comptroller in order to know about the problems. We worked in the past two years to find a solution to the crisis and will continue to work. Housing prices began to fall because the processes already began. We did not wait for a report for that."
Related: State Comptroller: Housing crisis spiraled and Netanyahu did little
24 feb 2015
Zionist Union leader says he won't travel to DC to address conference, while Yacimovich urges Netanyahu to cancel 'damaging' Congress speech.
Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog announced Tuesday he will not be traveling to the US to appear before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual conference, amid growing tensions over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned speech to Congress on March 3.
"Netanyahu's spin about who is going to Washington must stop," Herzog told a gathering of foreign media in Israel. "My firm position against a nuclear Iran is known by every Israeli and American, including the US president, and I know how to voice it in a sharp, clear manner - from here, not from there."
Herzog added: "A few days ago, I told the AIPAC conference organizers that I was deeply sorry, but that I could not attend the conference at which I had been invited to deliver a speech. American Jewry is very important to me, but it is clear that replacing the Netanyahu government is just as important, and that is my primary mission these days. When I'm prime minister, I will travel anywhere in order to uphold the security interests of the citizens of the State of Israel."
Labor MK Shelly Yacimovich also criticized Netanyahu's planned visit Tuesday, urging him to cancel his speech before Congress.
"The situation in which Israel learns about an agreement that deals directly with Israel's security and the safety of its residents from foreign news agencies is a new and dangerous low in our relations with the US," she said. This was a "result of the rift Netanyahu caused due to his insistence on speaking before Congress," Yacimovich said, following recent reports about progress in the Iran nuclear talks.
"The question is not about who will go to Congress, but whether the visit to Congress should be made, and the answer is a resounding no," Yacimovich added. "The prime minister should be reminded that the reason for the trip is preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, not an election speech. The trip to Congress is an electioneering trip, for the purpose of a speech that will be broadcast in Israel."
"In his stubbornness," the MK added, "Netanyahu is causing irreversible damage to the country. He must remember that this isn't a reality show with Moshik Galamin, not an electioneering video or more material for an elections spin – but rather the future of the country."
Likud MK Miri Regev responded to the claims, saying: "The left-wing and Herzog should support and back the prime minister, and understand that the country's security is not a political issue, but rather is an existential issue for the State of Israel. I want to strengthen the prime minister for his activities and determination to highlight the dangers of a nuclear Iran."
Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog announced Tuesday he will not be traveling to the US to appear before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual conference, amid growing tensions over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned speech to Congress on March 3.
"Netanyahu's spin about who is going to Washington must stop," Herzog told a gathering of foreign media in Israel. "My firm position against a nuclear Iran is known by every Israeli and American, including the US president, and I know how to voice it in a sharp, clear manner - from here, not from there."
Herzog added: "A few days ago, I told the AIPAC conference organizers that I was deeply sorry, but that I could not attend the conference at which I had been invited to deliver a speech. American Jewry is very important to me, but it is clear that replacing the Netanyahu government is just as important, and that is my primary mission these days. When I'm prime minister, I will travel anywhere in order to uphold the security interests of the citizens of the State of Israel."
Labor MK Shelly Yacimovich also criticized Netanyahu's planned visit Tuesday, urging him to cancel his speech before Congress.
"The situation in which Israel learns about an agreement that deals directly with Israel's security and the safety of its residents from foreign news agencies is a new and dangerous low in our relations with the US," she said. This was a "result of the rift Netanyahu caused due to his insistence on speaking before Congress," Yacimovich said, following recent reports about progress in the Iran nuclear talks.
"The question is not about who will go to Congress, but whether the visit to Congress should be made, and the answer is a resounding no," Yacimovich added. "The prime minister should be reminded that the reason for the trip is preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, not an election speech. The trip to Congress is an electioneering trip, for the purpose of a speech that will be broadcast in Israel."
"In his stubbornness," the MK added, "Netanyahu is causing irreversible damage to the country. He must remember that this isn't a reality show with Moshik Galamin, not an electioneering video or more material for an elections spin – but rather the future of the country."
Likud MK Miri Regev responded to the claims, saying: "The left-wing and Herzog should support and back the prime minister, and understand that the country's security is not a political issue, but rather is an existential issue for the State of Israel. I want to strengthen the prime minister for his activities and determination to highlight the dangers of a nuclear Iran."
Yossi Cohen, out of the loop
Like Obama, Mossad veteran Yossi Cohen was in the dark about Boehner's invitation for Netanyahu to address Congress on Iran nuclear negotiations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to address Congress on Iran's nuclear program was made without consulting his own national security advisor, Yossi Cohen.
Like US President Barack Obama and his senior aides, Cohen was kept in the dark about the invitation extended by House Speaker John Boehner to Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress on March 3.
The invitation was orchestrated by Boehner and Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer, but was not discussed thoroughly by a broader forum in Jerusalem. According to well-informed sources, just like the US administration, Cohen learned about Netanyahu's plans only a short while before Boehner's public announcement of the scheduled speech.
Cohen, a 30-year veteran of the Mossad spy agency, was appointed to his post by Netanyahu in 2013. According to the law governing the responsibilities of the National Security Council and its head, Cohen's job includes providing advice to the prime minister and his government on Israel's strategic relationships. Many of the outspoken critics against Netanyahu's decision to accept the invitation contend that it damages Israel's strategic ties with the United States.
But despite widely publicized calls from senators, American Jewish leaders, Israeli diplomats and politicians, to cancel or postpone the speech, the prime minister, in the throes of a tough election campaign, refuses to backtrack. He argues that the importance of doing all he can to prevent a bad deal with Iran that would endanger his country's future justifies the controversy. In recent weeks, the crisis between Jerusalem and Washington has escalated.
Obama announced he would not meet with Netanyahu since his visit to Washington comes just two weeks before the election in Israel and he does not want to appear to be interfering in internal Israeli politics. The administration has also been limiting the scope of the information it is sharing with Israel regarding the negotiations between Iran and the six world powers. Against the backdrop of the crisis, Cohen met in Washington last week with Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, as well as his American counterpart, National Security Advisor Susan Rice. In an attempt to diffuse some of the tensions, Secretary of State John Kerry dropped in on one of the meetings with Cohen.
Dermer, a former close aide to Netanyahu, said in an interview with The Atlantic last month that Boehner’s office "initially reached out to me regarding the idea of the prime minister giving a speech less than two weeks before an official invitation was sent." Boehner himself has confessed that he had neither consulted nor informed the White House before inviting Netanyahu and that he asked Dermer not to inform the Obama administration to avoid "interference" on the part of an administration which, he said, was openly hostile to Netanyahu. Boehner’s office informed the administration about the plans about two hours before the invitation was made public.
The prime minister's office declined to comment about Cohen not being in the loop.
Like Obama, Mossad veteran Yossi Cohen was in the dark about Boehner's invitation for Netanyahu to address Congress on Iran nuclear negotiations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to address Congress on Iran's nuclear program was made without consulting his own national security advisor, Yossi Cohen.
Like US President Barack Obama and his senior aides, Cohen was kept in the dark about the invitation extended by House Speaker John Boehner to Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress on March 3.
The invitation was orchestrated by Boehner and Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer, but was not discussed thoroughly by a broader forum in Jerusalem. According to well-informed sources, just like the US administration, Cohen learned about Netanyahu's plans only a short while before Boehner's public announcement of the scheduled speech.
Cohen, a 30-year veteran of the Mossad spy agency, was appointed to his post by Netanyahu in 2013. According to the law governing the responsibilities of the National Security Council and its head, Cohen's job includes providing advice to the prime minister and his government on Israel's strategic relationships. Many of the outspoken critics against Netanyahu's decision to accept the invitation contend that it damages Israel's strategic ties with the United States.
But despite widely publicized calls from senators, American Jewish leaders, Israeli diplomats and politicians, to cancel or postpone the speech, the prime minister, in the throes of a tough election campaign, refuses to backtrack. He argues that the importance of doing all he can to prevent a bad deal with Iran that would endanger his country's future justifies the controversy. In recent weeks, the crisis between Jerusalem and Washington has escalated.
Obama announced he would not meet with Netanyahu since his visit to Washington comes just two weeks before the election in Israel and he does not want to appear to be interfering in internal Israeli politics. The administration has also been limiting the scope of the information it is sharing with Israel regarding the negotiations between Iran and the six world powers. Against the backdrop of the crisis, Cohen met in Washington last week with Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, as well as his American counterpart, National Security Advisor Susan Rice. In an attempt to diffuse some of the tensions, Secretary of State John Kerry dropped in on one of the meetings with Cohen.
Dermer, a former close aide to Netanyahu, said in an interview with The Atlantic last month that Boehner’s office "initially reached out to me regarding the idea of the prime minister giving a speech less than two weeks before an official invitation was sent." Boehner himself has confessed that he had neither consulted nor informed the White House before inviting Netanyahu and that he asked Dermer not to inform the Obama administration to avoid "interference" on the part of an administration which, he said, was openly hostile to Netanyahu. Boehner’s office informed the administration about the plans about two hours before the invitation was made public.
The prime minister's office declined to comment about Cohen not being in the loop.