20 aug 2019
New housing in the Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood in Jerusalem
Though the law against discrimination are not clearly applicable to the housing market, the AG and the Supreme Court say the principle of equality must prevail
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by ac construction company who refused to sell a home in Jerusalem to an Arab couple.
The court ruled that May-Tal Engineering Ltd. must compensate the couple after refusing to sell them an apartment in the Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood.
The couple, originally from the Galilee, have been living in Jerusalem as renters for the past 20 years. They contacted May-Tal to enquire about purchasing an apartment of their own in the capital.
The May-Tal representative, however, was direct and to the point telling them they would not be able to purchase any apartment because the company does not sell to Arabs.
The couple then sued May-Tal in Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, claiming they should be compensated according to the Prohibition of Discrimination in Products, Services and Entry into Places of Entertainment and Public Places Law of 2000 and demanded restitution for the distress caused to them by the discrimination.
May-Tal appealed but Jerusalem District Court upheld the earlier ruling, and finally the appeal reached the Supreme Court.
The court debated whether the law ensuring equality applies to private companies and real estate transactions, while the lawyers for the couple argued that discrimination is rampant in the housing market.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who was asked by theSupreme Ccourt to weigh in, said in his written opinion that the principle of equality must be applied even if there is no contractual requirement.
"As the state is forbidden to discriminate, so is a private company that has been granted use of state owned land in order to build and market apartments for the general public," Mandelblit wrote.
While the Supreme Court justices failed to find unanimity on the application of the Prohibition of Discrimination Law, they did agree that the appeal should be rejected because a housing development company cannot discriminate on the basis of nationality.
Though the law against discrimination are not clearly applicable to the housing market, the AG and the Supreme Court say the principle of equality must prevail
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by ac construction company who refused to sell a home in Jerusalem to an Arab couple.
The court ruled that May-Tal Engineering Ltd. must compensate the couple after refusing to sell them an apartment in the Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood.
The couple, originally from the Galilee, have been living in Jerusalem as renters for the past 20 years. They contacted May-Tal to enquire about purchasing an apartment of their own in the capital.
The May-Tal representative, however, was direct and to the point telling them they would not be able to purchase any apartment because the company does not sell to Arabs.
The couple then sued May-Tal in Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, claiming they should be compensated according to the Prohibition of Discrimination in Products, Services and Entry into Places of Entertainment and Public Places Law of 2000 and demanded restitution for the distress caused to them by the discrimination.
May-Tal appealed but Jerusalem District Court upheld the earlier ruling, and finally the appeal reached the Supreme Court.
The court debated whether the law ensuring equality applies to private companies and real estate transactions, while the lawyers for the couple argued that discrimination is rampant in the housing market.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who was asked by theSupreme Ccourt to weigh in, said in his written opinion that the principle of equality must be applied even if there is no contractual requirement.
"As the state is forbidden to discriminate, so is a private company that has been granted use of state owned land in order to build and market apartments for the general public," Mandelblit wrote.
While the Supreme Court justices failed to find unanimity on the application of the Prohibition of Discrimination Law, they did agree that the appeal should be rejected because a housing development company cannot discriminate on the basis of nationality.
Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu with Ukrainian Prseident Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kiev
Official says Gazans could even depart from Israeli airports, subject been raised in cabinet meetings but no nation willing to take them in; PM says he is 'advancing a broad campaign in Gaza' in wake of recent tensions
KIEV, Ukraine - Israel is ready to open the border crossings from Gaza and is even ready to allow Gazans to fly out of its territory so long as there are countries that will absorb them, a government source said Monday.
"Israel is even willing to arrange transportation for them, at least to one of the airports in the Negev (Desert) and arrange for them to travel out of the country," the source said.
According to the official, this issue has been brought up several times to the Cabinet.
"Attempts have been made with certain nations (to persuade them to accept them) but they have not succeeded," the source said.
He said that 35,000 Palestinians voluntarily left the Gaza Strip last year without the aid of Israel.
"They are being held hostage in Gaza," he said. "Today countries are not raising the humanitarian situation in Gaza."
Israel has for years kept its border with the Hamas-run Gaza Strip closed and guarded and has imposed a land, sea and air blockade of the coastal enclave, arguing that it needs to prevent terrorist groups from smuggling in weapons.
Meanwhile, the tensions between Israel and the Gaza Strip continue following the recent violence, which saw both rocket strikes on Israel and retaliatory attacks as well as several attempted armed infiltrations into Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is visiting Ukraine, on Monday addressed the likelihood of a fresh military operation in Gaza.
"I am advancing a broad campaign in Gaza. I cannot tell you what we are doing and what preparations we have made and how much we are preparing, but some of our critics know too well that we are doing things that we have not done before and that we are ready for action," the prime minister said.
"On the other hand, I am not hiding my objective of maintaining quiet and security on the Gaza front," he said|.
"To say that we have no deterrence is nonsense, because Hamas is issuing fatwas (religious Islamic rulings) against terrorist attacks. We are preparing for a broad campaign. If that happens and it may, you will see exactly what it is. It will be different than before."
Netanyahu also denied reports that he has earmarked Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer and Mossad chief Yossi Cohen as possible successors in the Likud party.
"I am not appointing an heir, and I did not say anything of the sort. It is the public who decides who the prime minister is," he said.
He denied allegations that the visit to Ukraine was planned out of electoral considerations ahead of the September 17 vote, and part of his efforts to win over the votes of immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
"The visit was decided after the April elections and before the repeat elections," Netanyahu said.
Official says Gazans could even depart from Israeli airports, subject been raised in cabinet meetings but no nation willing to take them in; PM says he is 'advancing a broad campaign in Gaza' in wake of recent tensions
KIEV, Ukraine - Israel is ready to open the border crossings from Gaza and is even ready to allow Gazans to fly out of its territory so long as there are countries that will absorb them, a government source said Monday.
"Israel is even willing to arrange transportation for them, at least to one of the airports in the Negev (Desert) and arrange for them to travel out of the country," the source said.
According to the official, this issue has been brought up several times to the Cabinet.
"Attempts have been made with certain nations (to persuade them to accept them) but they have not succeeded," the source said.
He said that 35,000 Palestinians voluntarily left the Gaza Strip last year without the aid of Israel.
"They are being held hostage in Gaza," he said. "Today countries are not raising the humanitarian situation in Gaza."
Israel has for years kept its border with the Hamas-run Gaza Strip closed and guarded and has imposed a land, sea and air blockade of the coastal enclave, arguing that it needs to prevent terrorist groups from smuggling in weapons.
Meanwhile, the tensions between Israel and the Gaza Strip continue following the recent violence, which saw both rocket strikes on Israel and retaliatory attacks as well as several attempted armed infiltrations into Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is visiting Ukraine, on Monday addressed the likelihood of a fresh military operation in Gaza.
"I am advancing a broad campaign in Gaza. I cannot tell you what we are doing and what preparations we have made and how much we are preparing, but some of our critics know too well that we are doing things that we have not done before and that we are ready for action," the prime minister said.
"On the other hand, I am not hiding my objective of maintaining quiet and security on the Gaza front," he said|.
"To say that we have no deterrence is nonsense, because Hamas is issuing fatwas (religious Islamic rulings) against terrorist attacks. We are preparing for a broad campaign. If that happens and it may, you will see exactly what it is. It will be different than before."
Netanyahu also denied reports that he has earmarked Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer and Mossad chief Yossi Cohen as possible successors in the Likud party.
"I am not appointing an heir, and I did not say anything of the sort. It is the public who decides who the prime minister is," he said.
He denied allegations that the visit to Ukraine was planned out of electoral considerations ahead of the September 17 vote, and part of his efforts to win over the votes of immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
"The visit was decided after the April elections and before the repeat elections," Netanyahu said.
19 aug 2019
by Ramzy Baroud
Jewish Israeli settlers are on a roll as they rampage across the occupied Palestinian West Bank. While settler violence is part of the daily routine in Palestine, the violence of recent weeks is linked directly to the General Election in Israel, scheduled to be held on 17 September.
The previous election, just four months ago on 9 April, failed to bring about political stability. Although Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu is now the longest-serving Prime Minister in the 71-year history of the country, he was still unable to form a government coalition.
Tarnished by a series of corruption cases involving himself, his family and aides, Netanyahu’s leadership is in an unenviable position. Police investigators are closing in on him, while opportunistic political allies, such as Avigdor Lieberman, are twisting his arm in the hope of exacting future political concessions.
The political crisis in Israel is not the outcome of a resurrected Labor or invigorated central parties, but the failure of the Right (including far-right and ultra-nationalist parties) to articulate a unified political agenda.
Illegal Jewish settlers understand well that the future identity of any right-wing government coalition will have a lasting impact on their colonial enterprise.
The settlers, however, are not exactly worried, since all major political parties, including that of the Blue and White, the supposedly centrist party of Benjamin Gantz, have made support for Jewish colonies an important part of their election campaigns.
The decisive vote of the Jewish settlers of the West Bank and their backers inside Israel became very clear in the last election. Their power has forced Gantz to adopt an entirely different political approach.
The man who, two days before polling day in April, criticised Netanyahu’s “irresponsible” announcement regarding his intention to annex the West Bank, is now apparently a great supporter of the settlements.
According to the Israeli news website Arutz Sheva, Gantz has vowed to continue expanding the settlements “from a strategic point of view and not as a political strategy.”
Considering the shift in Gantz’s perspective regarding the settlements Netanyahu is left with no other option but to up the ante. He is now pushing for complete and irreversible annexation of the West Bank.
Annexing the occupied Palestinian territory is, from Netanyahu’s point of view, a sound political strategy. The Israeli Prime Minister, of course, is oblivious to international law which regards Israel’s military and settler presence as illegal.
Neither Netanyahu nor any other Israeli leader, though, has ever cared about international law. All that truly counts as far as Israel is concerned, is that it has Washington’s support, both blind and unconditional.
According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu is now officially lobbying for a public statement by US President Donald Trump to back Israel’s annexation of the West Bank. Although the White House refused to comment on the story, and an official in Netanyahu’s office claimed that it was “incorrect”, the Israeli right is on the fast track to make that annexation possible.
Encouraged by US Ambassador David Friedman’s comment that, “Israel has the right to retain some of the West Bank,” more Israeli officials are speaking boldly and openly regarding their intentions to annex the occupied territory. Netanyahu actually hinted at that possibility in August during a visit to the illegal settlement of Beit El.
“We come to build. Our hands will reach out and we will deepen our roots in our homeland, in all parts of it,” he said at a ceremony celebrating the expansion of the illegal settlements with another 650 housing units.
Unlike Netanyahu, former Israeli Justice Minister and leader of the newly-formed United Right, Ayelet Shaked, didn’t speak in code.
In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, she called for the full annexation of Area C, which constitutes nearly 60 per cent of the West Bank. “We have to apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria,” insisted Shaked, using Biblical terminology to describe Palestinian land as if that somehow strengthened her case.
Public Security, Strategic Affairs and Information Minister Gilad Erdan, however, wants to go the extra mile. According to Arutz Sheva and the Jerusalem Post, Erdan has called for the annexation of all illegal settlements in the West Bank as well as the ouster of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Now situated at the centre of Israeli politics, Jewish settlers are enjoying the spectacle of being courted by all major political parties. Their increased violence against the indigenous Palestinians in the West Bank is a form of political muscle-flexing, an expression of dominance and a brutish display of political priorities.
“There’s only one flag from the Jordan to the sea, the flag of Israel,” was the slogan of a rally involving over 1,200 Jewish settlers who roamed the streets of the Palestinian city of Hebron on 14 August. The settlers, together with Israeli soldiers, stormed along Al-Shuhada Street and harassed Palestinian residents and international activists in the beleaguered city.
Just a few days earlier, an estimated 1,700 Jewish settlers, backed by Israeli police, stormed into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, over 60 Palestinians were wounded when Israeli forces and settlers attacked Muslim worshippers.
The violence was repeated in Nablus, where armed women settlers stormed the town of Al-Masoudiya and conducted “military training” under the protection of the Israeli occupation army. The settlers’ message is clear: we now rule the roost, not only in the West Bank, but in Israeli politics as well.
At what cost, though? All of this is happening as if it is entirely an Israeli political affair. The PA, which has now been dropped out of US political calculations altogether, is left to issue occasional, irrelevant press releases about its intention to hold Israel accountable according to international law.
Moreover, the guardians of international law are also suspiciously absent. Neither the United Nations, nor advocates of democracy and international law in the European Union, seem to be interested in confronting Israeli intransigence and blatant violations of human rights.
With Jewish settlers dictating the political agenda in Israel, and constantly provoking Palestinians in the occupied territories, violence is likely to grow exponentially in the coming months.
As is often the case, this will be used strategically by the Israeli government, this time to set the stage for a final and complete annexation of Palestinian land. That will be a disastrous outcome, no matter which way you look at it.
Jewish Israeli settlers are on a roll as they rampage across the occupied Palestinian West Bank. While settler violence is part of the daily routine in Palestine, the violence of recent weeks is linked directly to the General Election in Israel, scheduled to be held on 17 September.
The previous election, just four months ago on 9 April, failed to bring about political stability. Although Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu is now the longest-serving Prime Minister in the 71-year history of the country, he was still unable to form a government coalition.
Tarnished by a series of corruption cases involving himself, his family and aides, Netanyahu’s leadership is in an unenviable position. Police investigators are closing in on him, while opportunistic political allies, such as Avigdor Lieberman, are twisting his arm in the hope of exacting future political concessions.
The political crisis in Israel is not the outcome of a resurrected Labor or invigorated central parties, but the failure of the Right (including far-right and ultra-nationalist parties) to articulate a unified political agenda.
Illegal Jewish settlers understand well that the future identity of any right-wing government coalition will have a lasting impact on their colonial enterprise.
The settlers, however, are not exactly worried, since all major political parties, including that of the Blue and White, the supposedly centrist party of Benjamin Gantz, have made support for Jewish colonies an important part of their election campaigns.
The decisive vote of the Jewish settlers of the West Bank and their backers inside Israel became very clear in the last election. Their power has forced Gantz to adopt an entirely different political approach.
The man who, two days before polling day in April, criticised Netanyahu’s “irresponsible” announcement regarding his intention to annex the West Bank, is now apparently a great supporter of the settlements.
According to the Israeli news website Arutz Sheva, Gantz has vowed to continue expanding the settlements “from a strategic point of view and not as a political strategy.”
Considering the shift in Gantz’s perspective regarding the settlements Netanyahu is left with no other option but to up the ante. He is now pushing for complete and irreversible annexation of the West Bank.
Annexing the occupied Palestinian territory is, from Netanyahu’s point of view, a sound political strategy. The Israeli Prime Minister, of course, is oblivious to international law which regards Israel’s military and settler presence as illegal.
Neither Netanyahu nor any other Israeli leader, though, has ever cared about international law. All that truly counts as far as Israel is concerned, is that it has Washington’s support, both blind and unconditional.
According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu is now officially lobbying for a public statement by US President Donald Trump to back Israel’s annexation of the West Bank. Although the White House refused to comment on the story, and an official in Netanyahu’s office claimed that it was “incorrect”, the Israeli right is on the fast track to make that annexation possible.
Encouraged by US Ambassador David Friedman’s comment that, “Israel has the right to retain some of the West Bank,” more Israeli officials are speaking boldly and openly regarding their intentions to annex the occupied territory. Netanyahu actually hinted at that possibility in August during a visit to the illegal settlement of Beit El.
“We come to build. Our hands will reach out and we will deepen our roots in our homeland, in all parts of it,” he said at a ceremony celebrating the expansion of the illegal settlements with another 650 housing units.
Unlike Netanyahu, former Israeli Justice Minister and leader of the newly-formed United Right, Ayelet Shaked, didn’t speak in code.
In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, she called for the full annexation of Area C, which constitutes nearly 60 per cent of the West Bank. “We have to apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria,” insisted Shaked, using Biblical terminology to describe Palestinian land as if that somehow strengthened her case.
Public Security, Strategic Affairs and Information Minister Gilad Erdan, however, wants to go the extra mile. According to Arutz Sheva and the Jerusalem Post, Erdan has called for the annexation of all illegal settlements in the West Bank as well as the ouster of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Now situated at the centre of Israeli politics, Jewish settlers are enjoying the spectacle of being courted by all major political parties. Their increased violence against the indigenous Palestinians in the West Bank is a form of political muscle-flexing, an expression of dominance and a brutish display of political priorities.
“There’s only one flag from the Jordan to the sea, the flag of Israel,” was the slogan of a rally involving over 1,200 Jewish settlers who roamed the streets of the Palestinian city of Hebron on 14 August. The settlers, together with Israeli soldiers, stormed along Al-Shuhada Street and harassed Palestinian residents and international activists in the beleaguered city.
Just a few days earlier, an estimated 1,700 Jewish settlers, backed by Israeli police, stormed into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, over 60 Palestinians were wounded when Israeli forces and settlers attacked Muslim worshippers.
The violence was repeated in Nablus, where armed women settlers stormed the town of Al-Masoudiya and conducted “military training” under the protection of the Israeli occupation army. The settlers’ message is clear: we now rule the roost, not only in the West Bank, but in Israeli politics as well.
At what cost, though? All of this is happening as if it is entirely an Israeli political affair. The PA, which has now been dropped out of US political calculations altogether, is left to issue occasional, irrelevant press releases about its intention to hold Israel accountable according to international law.
Moreover, the guardians of international law are also suspiciously absent. Neither the United Nations, nor advocates of democracy and international law in the European Union, seem to be interested in confronting Israeli intransigence and blatant violations of human rights.
With Jewish settlers dictating the political agenda in Israel, and constantly provoking Palestinians in the occupied territories, violence is likely to grow exponentially in the coming months.
As is often the case, this will be used strategically by the Israeli government, this time to set the stage for a final and complete annexation of Palestinian land. That will be a disastrous outcome, no matter which way you look at it.
Though there has been an increase in ultra-Orthodox students in academic institutions, they are more likely to drop out and are limited by their lack of basic education in English, Mathematics and the Sciences
Bank of Israel warns ultra-Orthodox education deficiencies will impact the economy's ability to grow.
In a special report published Sunday the Bank of Israel looked at advancing the standard of living by increasing Israel's productivity and determined that ultra-Orthodox men are under educated.
According to the report there has been since the 1970s, a decline in ultra-Orthodox boys' schools teaching of subjects conducive to employment in the modern job market such as English, Mathematics and sciences and that the gap in this kind of education is never closed affecting the number of students achieving highschool equivalency or higher education.
A study conducted by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel showed there is over the past few years, an increase in ultra-Orthodox students turning to academic studies but the numbers are still very low, and their choice of courses are not likely to help them in the job market.
The study concludes that these students must be directed to subjects such as English Math and comprehension if they are to succeed but goes on to say that there is no desire on the part of this community to study these subjects which they perceive as a waste of time.
An ultra-Orthodox man that has completed 19 years of schooling is as prepared for the Israeli job market as a man who has completed only 10 years in a non-Orthodox school system.
Dr. Neri Horowitz who was advisor to the ministry of Education on ultra-Orthodox studies said the rate of students dropping out of academic studies among this population is extremely high and can be tied directly to the lack of non-religious studies in the course of their schooling
The Bank of Israel's report concludes the remedy to this adverse effect on the Israeli economy must be a political one.
Bank of Israel warns ultra-Orthodox education deficiencies will impact the economy's ability to grow.
In a special report published Sunday the Bank of Israel looked at advancing the standard of living by increasing Israel's productivity and determined that ultra-Orthodox men are under educated.
According to the report there has been since the 1970s, a decline in ultra-Orthodox boys' schools teaching of subjects conducive to employment in the modern job market such as English, Mathematics and sciences and that the gap in this kind of education is never closed affecting the number of students achieving highschool equivalency or higher education.
A study conducted by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel showed there is over the past few years, an increase in ultra-Orthodox students turning to academic studies but the numbers are still very low, and their choice of courses are not likely to help them in the job market.
The study concludes that these students must be directed to subjects such as English Math and comprehension if they are to succeed but goes on to say that there is no desire on the part of this community to study these subjects which they perceive as a waste of time.
An ultra-Orthodox man that has completed 19 years of schooling is as prepared for the Israeli job market as a man who has completed only 10 years in a non-Orthodox school system.
Dr. Neri Horowitz who was advisor to the ministry of Education on ultra-Orthodox studies said the rate of students dropping out of academic studies among this population is extremely high and can be tied directly to the lack of non-religious studies in the course of their schooling
The Bank of Israel's report concludes the remedy to this adverse effect on the Israeli economy must be a political one.
18 aug 2019
With a month to go until the elections, a host of prominent politicians go on the offensive, calling the prime minister 'weak' after 2 rocket attacks and an infiltration attempt within 24 hours; 'Deterrence against Hamas hasn’t been eroded, it’s been erased,' says Gantz
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also holds the defense portfolio, faces growing criticism over his handling of the security situation in southern Israel. A host of prominent Israeli politician went on the offensive Sunday, attacking Netanyahu after a tense weekend on the Gaza border, with just a month to go until the September 17 elections.
Palestinian militants in Gaza fired at least four rockets into the southern city of Sderot within 24 hours over the weekend, with three projectiles being intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system.
In addition, medical sources in the enclave said Sunday that three Palestinians, who according to Israeli military were trying to infiltrate the border with Israel, were killed by IDF fire and another was left seriously wounded.
Former Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman was among the first to come out against the prime minister. "He is an excellent presenter but a weak leader who lacks leadership and is incapable of making decisions in times of crisis," wrote the Yisrael Beytenu chairman on his Facebook page.
"Again, we are faced with the unbridled behavior of the prime minister, who is currently on his way to the Ukraine to film an election propaganda, while the residents of the south are being held hostage,” Liberman added.
Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz joined in on the criticism when he visited the Israeli communities bordering the Strip on Sunday morning. “The deterrence hasn’t been eroded, it’s been erased,” said the former IDF chief.
“We will defeat Hamas militarily, we’ll bring quiet to the residents of the south, and will not allow this to spill over into the West Bank.”
Gantz’s fellow Blue and White party member and another former IDF chief of staff, Gaby Ashkenazi, said the prime minister is “only preoccupied with himself.”
"The prime minister is weak, only preoccupied with himself and just wants quiet ahead of the elections,” said Ashkenazi. “This situation has been dragging on for over a decade. It’s incomprehensible that residents have to run to bomb shelters while they’re eating dinner. It's not just a strategic issue, it's every country’s basic duty to protect its residents.”
Finally, Former Education Minister Naftali Bennett visited the scene of Saturday’s car-ramming attack in Gush Etzion in the West Bank that wounded two Israeli youths.
"We will back the prime minister in any military action that needs to be done, but we must turn the situation on its head,” said the Yamina party member. “We need to move on to a policy of persistent attacks, chasing after the terror leaders. They have to start fearing for their lives.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also holds the defense portfolio, faces growing criticism over his handling of the security situation in southern Israel. A host of prominent Israeli politician went on the offensive Sunday, attacking Netanyahu after a tense weekend on the Gaza border, with just a month to go until the September 17 elections.
Palestinian militants in Gaza fired at least four rockets into the southern city of Sderot within 24 hours over the weekend, with three projectiles being intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system.
In addition, medical sources in the enclave said Sunday that three Palestinians, who according to Israeli military were trying to infiltrate the border with Israel, were killed by IDF fire and another was left seriously wounded.
Former Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman was among the first to come out against the prime minister. "He is an excellent presenter but a weak leader who lacks leadership and is incapable of making decisions in times of crisis," wrote the Yisrael Beytenu chairman on his Facebook page.
"Again, we are faced with the unbridled behavior of the prime minister, who is currently on his way to the Ukraine to film an election propaganda, while the residents of the south are being held hostage,” Liberman added.
Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz joined in on the criticism when he visited the Israeli communities bordering the Strip on Sunday morning. “The deterrence hasn’t been eroded, it’s been erased,” said the former IDF chief.
“We will defeat Hamas militarily, we’ll bring quiet to the residents of the south, and will not allow this to spill over into the West Bank.”
Gantz’s fellow Blue and White party member and another former IDF chief of staff, Gaby Ashkenazi, said the prime minister is “only preoccupied with himself.”
"The prime minister is weak, only preoccupied with himself and just wants quiet ahead of the elections,” said Ashkenazi. “This situation has been dragging on for over a decade. It’s incomprehensible that residents have to run to bomb shelters while they’re eating dinner. It's not just a strategic issue, it's every country’s basic duty to protect its residents.”
Finally, Former Education Minister Naftali Bennett visited the scene of Saturday’s car-ramming attack in Gush Etzion in the West Bank that wounded two Israeli youths.
"We will back the prime minister in any military action that needs to be done, but we must turn the situation on its head,” said the Yamina party member. “We need to move on to a policy of persistent attacks, chasing after the terror leaders. They have to start fearing for their lives.”
15 aug 2019
The Hamas Movement has described Israeli Blue and White party chief Benny Gantz’s threat to kill its leaders during any new war on Gaza as “an attempt to woo Israeli voters.”
“Gantz has to remember — when he was chief of staff — how the resistance’s response was to the aggression against the Gaza Strip during the battles of as-Sijeel and al-Asef al-Makoul,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem stated on Thursday.
“The Zionist entity paid for the crimes that had been committed by its army when Gantz was in office. At the time, the resistance fired hundreds of missiles at Tel Aviv, Occupied Jerusalem and Haifa, which led vital facilities to shut down and sent millions of settlers to shelters. The so-called population of the Gaza envelope lived the worst moments in their lives, and al-Qassam was able to capture soldiers,” spokesman Qasem said.
“The resistance’s response to any new Israeli crime will be many times stronger than before,” the spokesman added.
Gantz recently threatened more than once to assassinate Hamas leaders during any new round of fighting in Gaza.
Blue and White is a new right-wing party led by former army chief of staff Benny Gantz. The party was established recently to run in the April 2019 Knesset elections.
“Gantz has to remember — when he was chief of staff — how the resistance’s response was to the aggression against the Gaza Strip during the battles of as-Sijeel and al-Asef al-Makoul,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem stated on Thursday.
“The Zionist entity paid for the crimes that had been committed by its army when Gantz was in office. At the time, the resistance fired hundreds of missiles at Tel Aviv, Occupied Jerusalem and Haifa, which led vital facilities to shut down and sent millions of settlers to shelters. The so-called population of the Gaza envelope lived the worst moments in their lives, and al-Qassam was able to capture soldiers,” spokesman Qasem said.
“The resistance’s response to any new Israeli crime will be many times stronger than before,” the spokesman added.
Gantz recently threatened more than once to assassinate Hamas leaders during any new round of fighting in Gaza.
Blue and White is a new right-wing party led by former army chief of staff Benny Gantz. The party was established recently to run in the April 2019 Knesset elections.
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