19 nov 2019
President Reuven Rivlin
President says Israelis 'must ensure equality of rights and respectful and meaningful discourse'; Gantz, PM set to meet in Jerusalem in bid to end impasse over Netanyahu indictment, his insistence on negotiating for entire bloc of right-wing and religious factions
President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday evening issued a public reprimand of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for implying that Israel's Arab community posed an existential threat to the country.
Netanyahu has in recent days lashed out at Blue and White leader Benny Gantz for what he said were efforts to form a minority government with external support from the predominantly Arab Joint List faction. Such a move, Netanyahu said, would be a gift to Israel's enemies Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.
But Rivlin on Tuesday made clear that he found such comments unacceptable.
“The characterization of all Arab elected officials as a ‘threat’ to the existence of the State of Israel and as a ‘fifth column’ must be emphatically denounced," he said in a statement released following a meeting with the prime minister at the president's official residence in Jerusalem.
"We who live as sovereigns in our country, the Jewish and democratic State of Israel, must ensure equality of rights and respectful and meaningful discourse with all Israelis.”
Rivlin also repeated during the meeting his support for a national unity government comprising the two biggest parties - Netanyahu's Likud and Gantz' Blue and White. The president Rivlin has fervently advocated for a unity government, insisting that the country cannot go through a third round of elections in a 12-month period.
With 26 hours left to form a government, Gantz and Netanyahu were to meet at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem at 10pm Tuesday.The main item on the agenda was a unity government, with the two sharing a rotating premiership.
Earlier Tuesday, the two parties' negotiating teams held talks, seeking a breakthrough in the political impasse triggered by demands from both sides, but to no avail.
Gantz was tasked with forming a coalition after Netanyahu returned the mandate to Rivlin, saying he was unable to muster the 61 Knesset members needed for a majority government.
Netanyahu held an ad hoc Monday meeting with members of his right-wing bloc, telling them that there was still controversy over the rotation question and that he and Gantz would discuss the matter Tuesday night.
He also told them he was trying to persuade Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman to agree to maintain the status quo over the separation of religion and civil affairs.
Blue and White have made it clear that they are still standing by the demand that Netanyahu give up his bloc of 55 MKs from the right-wing and religious parties, and negotiate only on behalf of the Likud.
One of the other points of contention between the two parties is the clause in an outline for a unity government drawn up by President Reuven Rivlin, which determines what would happen should Netanyahu be indicted in one or more of three corruption cases against him.
Under the clause, the premiership would operate on a rotational basis between Netanyahu and Gantz, with Netanyahu serving as prime minister for the first two years, followed by Gantz for a similar time period.
If Netanyahu is indicted, he will resign and pass the premiership directly to Gantz.
Blue and White officials said that they were "making every possible effort to prevent elections for the third time" in a year.
By law, if Gantz officially announces that he was able to form a government with Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Edelstein has a week to set a date for a plenary session in which a vote of confidence in the new government is held.
The exact date is at the discretion of the speaker.
The Netanyahu-Gantz meeting was to be held after the Likud leader met with Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman on Tuesday morning, to discuss the establishment of a unity government and not a narrow right-wing government.
A joint statement by both parties stated that "the meeting between Netanyahu and Liberman was good and relevant, and the two will continue efforts to establish a unity government."
On Monday, Liberman announced that he would continue efforts to establish a unity government by Wednesday noon.
After which, he said, "each is on his own."
The main options currently under discussion are a unity government of Likud, Blue and White and Yisrael Beytenu, with a combination of other right-wing parties, according to President Reuven Rivlin's outline.
Another possibility - which has little chance - is a minority government with the participation of Blue and White, Democratic Union, Labor-Gesher and Yisrael Beytenu, with Joint List (of mainly Arab parties) supporting the government from outside.
In addition, there is another slim possibility for a minority government that includes only Blue and White, Yisrael Beytenu and Labor-Gesher, with the Democratic Union and Joint List supporting the outside.
Another possibility is a narrow right-wing government, made up of Likud, his right-wing bloc and Yisrael Beytenu - but this would only happen if the ultra-Orthodox and Liberman reach an agreement on the role of religion in civil life, and after Gantz's mandate expires.
Gantz's mandate ends Wednesday midnight. If he fails to form a government, Israel will enter for the first time in its history a period in which any MK can accept the mandate.
By law, 61 MKs can unite and sign a letter to the president, asking them to impose the mandate on one of the MKs, provided said MK agrees.
If there is indeed a 61-MK agreement on one candidate, the president will within two days give the mandate to that MK, who will have to begin negotiations for the government's assembly.
To that end, he or she is be given two weeks for negotiations, after which, if he or she fails, Israel will embark on a third consecutive election campaign.
President says Israelis 'must ensure equality of rights and respectful and meaningful discourse'; Gantz, PM set to meet in Jerusalem in bid to end impasse over Netanyahu indictment, his insistence on negotiating for entire bloc of right-wing and religious factions
President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday evening issued a public reprimand of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for implying that Israel's Arab community posed an existential threat to the country.
Netanyahu has in recent days lashed out at Blue and White leader Benny Gantz for what he said were efforts to form a minority government with external support from the predominantly Arab Joint List faction. Such a move, Netanyahu said, would be a gift to Israel's enemies Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.
But Rivlin on Tuesday made clear that he found such comments unacceptable.
“The characterization of all Arab elected officials as a ‘threat’ to the existence of the State of Israel and as a ‘fifth column’ must be emphatically denounced," he said in a statement released following a meeting with the prime minister at the president's official residence in Jerusalem.
"We who live as sovereigns in our country, the Jewish and democratic State of Israel, must ensure equality of rights and respectful and meaningful discourse with all Israelis.”
Rivlin also repeated during the meeting his support for a national unity government comprising the two biggest parties - Netanyahu's Likud and Gantz' Blue and White. The president Rivlin has fervently advocated for a unity government, insisting that the country cannot go through a third round of elections in a 12-month period.
With 26 hours left to form a government, Gantz and Netanyahu were to meet at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem at 10pm Tuesday.The main item on the agenda was a unity government, with the two sharing a rotating premiership.
Earlier Tuesday, the two parties' negotiating teams held talks, seeking a breakthrough in the political impasse triggered by demands from both sides, but to no avail.
Gantz was tasked with forming a coalition after Netanyahu returned the mandate to Rivlin, saying he was unable to muster the 61 Knesset members needed for a majority government.
Netanyahu held an ad hoc Monday meeting with members of his right-wing bloc, telling them that there was still controversy over the rotation question and that he and Gantz would discuss the matter Tuesday night.
He also told them he was trying to persuade Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman to agree to maintain the status quo over the separation of religion and civil affairs.
Blue and White have made it clear that they are still standing by the demand that Netanyahu give up his bloc of 55 MKs from the right-wing and religious parties, and negotiate only on behalf of the Likud.
One of the other points of contention between the two parties is the clause in an outline for a unity government drawn up by President Reuven Rivlin, which determines what would happen should Netanyahu be indicted in one or more of three corruption cases against him.
Under the clause, the premiership would operate on a rotational basis between Netanyahu and Gantz, with Netanyahu serving as prime minister for the first two years, followed by Gantz for a similar time period.
If Netanyahu is indicted, he will resign and pass the premiership directly to Gantz.
Blue and White officials said that they were "making every possible effort to prevent elections for the third time" in a year.
By law, if Gantz officially announces that he was able to form a government with Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Edelstein has a week to set a date for a plenary session in which a vote of confidence in the new government is held.
The exact date is at the discretion of the speaker.
The Netanyahu-Gantz meeting was to be held after the Likud leader met with Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman on Tuesday morning, to discuss the establishment of a unity government and not a narrow right-wing government.
A joint statement by both parties stated that "the meeting between Netanyahu and Liberman was good and relevant, and the two will continue efforts to establish a unity government."
On Monday, Liberman announced that he would continue efforts to establish a unity government by Wednesday noon.
After which, he said, "each is on his own."
The main options currently under discussion are a unity government of Likud, Blue and White and Yisrael Beytenu, with a combination of other right-wing parties, according to President Reuven Rivlin's outline.
Another possibility - which has little chance - is a minority government with the participation of Blue and White, Democratic Union, Labor-Gesher and Yisrael Beytenu, with Joint List (of mainly Arab parties) supporting the government from outside.
In addition, there is another slim possibility for a minority government that includes only Blue and White, Yisrael Beytenu and Labor-Gesher, with the Democratic Union and Joint List supporting the outside.
Another possibility is a narrow right-wing government, made up of Likud, his right-wing bloc and Yisrael Beytenu - but this would only happen if the ultra-Orthodox and Liberman reach an agreement on the role of religion in civil life, and after Gantz's mandate expires.
Gantz's mandate ends Wednesday midnight. If he fails to form a government, Israel will enter for the first time in its history a period in which any MK can accept the mandate.
By law, 61 MKs can unite and sign a letter to the president, asking them to impose the mandate on one of the MKs, provided said MK agrees.
If there is indeed a 61-MK agreement on one candidate, the president will within two days give the mandate to that MK, who will have to begin negotiations for the government's assembly.
To that end, he or she is be given two weeks for negotiations, after which, if he or she fails, Israel will embark on a third consecutive election campaign.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits settlements a day after U.S. decision on their legality
Visiting Alon Shvut, PM tells settlers that reversal of decades-long policy is 'huge achievement' that 'fixed a historic wrong'; Arab League chief says Trump administration step will lead to 'more violence and cruelty' against the Palestinians, undermines peace prospects
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyanu traveled to the West Bank on Tuesday to celebrate the U.S. announcement that it does not consider Israeli settlements to violate international law.
Netanyahu called the Trump administration’s declaration, which stepped back from four decades of U.S. policy and reversed the policies of President Barack Obama, a “huge achievement” that “fixed a historic wrong.”
“I think it is a great day for the state of Israel and an achievement that will remain for decades,” he said.
Netanyahu spoke Tuesday at a gathering of ecstatic supporters and settler leaders in Alon Shvut, a settlement outside of Jerusalem.
Right-wing leaders welcomed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement. Although it is largely symbolic, it fueled calls from settler supporters for increased construction or even the annexation of parts of the West Bank.
The Palestinians, who claim the West Bank as part of a future state, condemned the decision. They and other countries said the move undercuts any chances of a broader peace deal.
Over 400,000 settlers now live in the West Bank, in addition to more than 200,000 settlers in East Jerusalem, the Palestinian’s hoped-for capital.
The Palestinians and the international community say that settlements are illegal and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israel says the fate of the settlements should be determined in negotiations.
The head of the Arab League joined the large number of critics, condemning the Trump administration’s latest decision “in the strongest terms.”
The league’s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said the decision would result in “more violence and cruelty” against the Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli settlers and “undermines any possibility” of achieving peace.
The White House says it has developed a Mideast peace plan, which Trump has branded "the deal of the century," but it has not yet unveiled it. The Palestinians already have rejected the plan, accusing the U.S. of unfair bias in favor of Israel.
The Trump administration has made a number of moves in favor of Israel, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the embassy there from Tel Aviv, recognizing Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights and shuttering the Palestinian diplomatic offices in Washington.
Visiting Alon Shvut, PM tells settlers that reversal of decades-long policy is 'huge achievement' that 'fixed a historic wrong'; Arab League chief says Trump administration step will lead to 'more violence and cruelty' against the Palestinians, undermines peace prospects
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyanu traveled to the West Bank on Tuesday to celebrate the U.S. announcement that it does not consider Israeli settlements to violate international law.
Netanyahu called the Trump administration’s declaration, which stepped back from four decades of U.S. policy and reversed the policies of President Barack Obama, a “huge achievement” that “fixed a historic wrong.”
“I think it is a great day for the state of Israel and an achievement that will remain for decades,” he said.
Netanyahu spoke Tuesday at a gathering of ecstatic supporters and settler leaders in Alon Shvut, a settlement outside of Jerusalem.
Right-wing leaders welcomed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement. Although it is largely symbolic, it fueled calls from settler supporters for increased construction or even the annexation of parts of the West Bank.
The Palestinians, who claim the West Bank as part of a future state, condemned the decision. They and other countries said the move undercuts any chances of a broader peace deal.
Over 400,000 settlers now live in the West Bank, in addition to more than 200,000 settlers in East Jerusalem, the Palestinian’s hoped-for capital.
The Palestinians and the international community say that settlements are illegal and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israel says the fate of the settlements should be determined in negotiations.
The head of the Arab League joined the large number of critics, condemning the Trump administration’s latest decision “in the strongest terms.”
The league’s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said the decision would result in “more violence and cruelty” against the Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli settlers and “undermines any possibility” of achieving peace.
The White House says it has developed a Mideast peace plan, which Trump has branded "the deal of the century," but it has not yet unveiled it. The Palestinians already have rejected the plan, accusing the U.S. of unfair bias in favor of Israel.
The Trump administration has made a number of moves in favor of Israel, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the embassy there from Tel Aviv, recognizing Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights and shuttering the Palestinian diplomatic offices in Washington.
18 nov 2019
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In a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “warned” that any government that has Arab (Palestinian) coalition partners “poses a serious threat to Israel.”
In his message, Netanyahu stated that the Israeli President Reuven Rivlin asked him not to head to a new election. “We do not want a new election,” Netanyahu said, “We also do not want a government that depends on the Arabs.” Netanyahu added that the leaders of Kahol Lavan (Blue White) Party, Benjamin (Benny) Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi, are “holding talks with members of Knesset who support terrorist groups and seek the destruction of Israel.” |
“Can you imagine when they (his security cabinet) tell me when need to bomb here and bomb there, and then I will say, wait, I need to consult Ayman Odah; I need to consult Ahmad Tibi! Can I imagine something like that, this never happened in Israel’s history?!”
“This is something that threatens Israel’s security; it is an existential threat to Israel; This is a slap to the face of Israel’s democracy, to the face of those who voted for Kahol Lavan,” he stated, “If their voters understood that Gantz wants a coalition government with the support of the Arabs, they wouldn’t have given him even five seats!”
“I am calling on Ashkenazi and Moshe Ya’alon (former Israeli army Chief of Staff); you both served in the army, you are former army generals; you need to talk to Gantz, who is also a former army general, and remind him that those who you want to be coalition partners with, of the Joint List, and you want your government to depend on, want to try you as war criminals! Are you crazy?!
There is still enough time to avoid all of this, talk to him (Gantz), and come back to your senses; lets from a national Jewish unity government, exactly as our people seek and want.”
“This is something that threatens Israel’s security; it is an existential threat to Israel; This is a slap to the face of Israel’s democracy, to the face of those who voted for Kahol Lavan,” he stated, “If their voters understood that Gantz wants a coalition government with the support of the Arabs, they wouldn’t have given him even five seats!”
“I am calling on Ashkenazi and Moshe Ya’alon (former Israeli army Chief of Staff); you both served in the army, you are former army generals; you need to talk to Gantz, who is also a former army general, and remind him that those who you want to be coalition partners with, of the Joint List, and you want your government to depend on, want to try you as war criminals! Are you crazy?!
There is still enough time to avoid all of this, talk to him (Gantz), and come back to your senses; lets from a national Jewish unity government, exactly as our people seek and want.”
17 nov 2019
White House senior officials, who spoke with their Israeli counterparts, say the president distanced himself from Israel's leader because he 'doesn't like losers'
The U.S. government feels “frustrated” and “disappointed” with Israeli politics in general and with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in particular, according to senior White House officials who spoke with their Israeli counterparts on condition of anonymity.
"Americans are discouraged and frustrated by Israeli politics and the current political crisis, which has prevented the White House from unveiling the political part of the deal of the century," said White House sources, referring to the Trump administration’s long-delayed Mideast peace plan.
The sources added that President Donald Trump has in the past admitted to feeling “very disappointed” with Netanyhau and has spoken about him in a negative manner.
According to sources, Trump has decided to distance himself from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his failure to secure a clear victory in the April 9 elections and form a government, despite the assistance Israel’s leader received from the president. “The president doesn’t like losers,” said a White House source.”
Before the April 9 vote, Netanyahu was invited to the White House, where Trump officially recognized the Golan Heights as Israel’s sovereign territory and designated Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization.
During the election campaign ahead of the September 17 vote, however, Trump’s behavior toward Netanyahu has changed.
He’d written no blank checks for Netanyahu during that campaign and made no loud statements or promises. The only notable thing being a tweet, where Trump vowed to form a security alliance with Israel.
In addition, Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was fired by Trump a year into the job, said two months ago during an event at Harvard University that Netanyahu “played” Trump on several occasions by providing him with incorrect information.
"In dealing with Bibi, it's always useful to carry a healthy amount of skepticism in your discussions with him," he was quoted as saying. “It bothers me that an ally that's that close and important to us would do that to us.”
The U.S. government feels “frustrated” and “disappointed” with Israeli politics in general and with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in particular, according to senior White House officials who spoke with their Israeli counterparts on condition of anonymity.
"Americans are discouraged and frustrated by Israeli politics and the current political crisis, which has prevented the White House from unveiling the political part of the deal of the century," said White House sources, referring to the Trump administration’s long-delayed Mideast peace plan.
The sources added that President Donald Trump has in the past admitted to feeling “very disappointed” with Netanyhau and has spoken about him in a negative manner.
According to sources, Trump has decided to distance himself from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his failure to secure a clear victory in the April 9 elections and form a government, despite the assistance Israel’s leader received from the president. “The president doesn’t like losers,” said a White House source.”
Before the April 9 vote, Netanyahu was invited to the White House, where Trump officially recognized the Golan Heights as Israel’s sovereign territory and designated Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization.
During the election campaign ahead of the September 17 vote, however, Trump’s behavior toward Netanyahu has changed.
He’d written no blank checks for Netanyahu during that campaign and made no loud statements or promises. The only notable thing being a tweet, where Trump vowed to form a security alliance with Israel.
In addition, Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was fired by Trump a year into the job, said two months ago during an event at Harvard University that Netanyahu “played” Trump on several occasions by providing him with incorrect information.
"In dealing with Bibi, it's always useful to carry a healthy amount of skepticism in your discussions with him," he was quoted as saying. “It bothers me that an ally that's that close and important to us would do that to us.”
11 nov 2019
Benny Gantz at the wedding
Netanyahu supporters tell Blue and White leader to 'go to the Arabs' over Joint List contacts as he tries to form government, hours after party MK and fellow former IDF chief Gabi Ashkenazi met with abuse in Ashkelon
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz came under a torrent of abuse Sunday evening as he arrived at a family wedding of a Haredi lawmaker in Bnei Brak. Protesters called him "terrorist" and told him to "go to the Arabs" over contacts with the predominantly Arab Joint List as he tries to form a coalition government.
Blue and White MK Gabi Ashkenazi was also subject to verbal attack in Ashkelon earlier Sunday, as Israel's officials marked the 24th anniversary of the murder of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by an extremist Jew.
The abuse against Gantz came from supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he attended the wedding of the son of MK Yaakov Asher, the head of the United Torah Judaism faction.
Nonetheless, Gantz received a warm welcome at the event itself, as crowds surrounded him during the celebration and some attendees even sought to be photoghraphed with the former IDF chief.
Earlier Sunday, Gantz condemned the attack on Ashkenazi during a special Knesset plenum to mark the anniversary of Rabin's assassination.
"Let's not fool ourselves," said Gantz. "The shouts directed at Gabi Ashkenazi this afternoon in Ashkelon are a phenomenon we all must fight without compromise."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also denounced the incident, but added that he faces similar abuse.
"This is a very serious incident and I strongly condemn it, but it is something that people say about me every day, calling me a traitor," said Netanyahu.
"I never heard anyone condemning threats against the life of a prime minister."
Netanyahu supporters tell Blue and White leader to 'go to the Arabs' over Joint List contacts as he tries to form government, hours after party MK and fellow former IDF chief Gabi Ashkenazi met with abuse in Ashkelon
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz came under a torrent of abuse Sunday evening as he arrived at a family wedding of a Haredi lawmaker in Bnei Brak. Protesters called him "terrorist" and told him to "go to the Arabs" over contacts with the predominantly Arab Joint List as he tries to form a coalition government.
Blue and White MK Gabi Ashkenazi was also subject to verbal attack in Ashkelon earlier Sunday, as Israel's officials marked the 24th anniversary of the murder of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by an extremist Jew.
The abuse against Gantz came from supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he attended the wedding of the son of MK Yaakov Asher, the head of the United Torah Judaism faction.
Nonetheless, Gantz received a warm welcome at the event itself, as crowds surrounded him during the celebration and some attendees even sought to be photoghraphed with the former IDF chief.
Earlier Sunday, Gantz condemned the attack on Ashkenazi during a special Knesset plenum to mark the anniversary of Rabin's assassination.
"Let's not fool ourselves," said Gantz. "The shouts directed at Gabi Ashkenazi this afternoon in Ashkelon are a phenomenon we all must fight without compromise."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also denounced the incident, but added that he faces similar abuse.
"This is a very serious incident and I strongly condemn it, but it is something that people say about me every day, calling me a traitor," said Netanyahu.
"I never heard anyone condemning threats against the life of a prime minister."
10 nov 2019
At the official memorial service commemorating slain prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was murdered by a far-right extremist, the president warned of the slippery slope from incitement and hate to bloodshed
Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out Sunday at accusations that he had allowed his supporters to brand Yitzhak Rabin a traitor, during the ceremony in Jerusalem to mark the 24th anniversary of the prime minister's murder by a far-right Jew.
Speaking at the official ceremony on at Mount Herzl to commemorate the late prime minister and his wife Leah, Netanyahu claimed the allegations were false, sayign that he had seen Rabin as mistaken in his push for peace but not a traitor.
"We had substantive disagreements over the Oslo accords," Netanyahu said.
"I represented a major part of the public that saw the agreement with the Palestinians as dangerous and wrong and that was a legitimate stance," he told the gathered crowd, which included President Reuven Rivlin, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, DeputyChief Justice Hanan Melcer and the Rabin family.
"I said on many occasions that Rabin was not a traitor, he was mistaken but not a traitor" Netanyahu added.
"After the murder efforts were made to stain our entire political camp. Calling people traitors, treasonous and worthy of death continue today but I do not lay blame on the political camp from which these calls are coming," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister also declined to walk over to greet the Rabin family after his speech, unlike President Reuven Rivlin who spoke before him.
"The days before Rabin’s murder were days of intense and legitimate public debate, that descended in some cases to criminal incitement and defamation that motivated the murderer to try and assassinate Israeli democracy,” the president said.
“We mustn’t forget the slippery slope from incitement and hate to bloodshed," Rivlin said, imploring all political camps not to "fuel hate. It is not the way of the Israeli nation.”
Rabin was assassinated on November 4, 1995 a right-wing extremist as he left the stage at a peace rally in Tel Aviv.
Rabin won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994, along with his long-time political rival Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. In the same year he signed the peace treaty with Jordan that is currently marking its 25th anniversary.
Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out Sunday at accusations that he had allowed his supporters to brand Yitzhak Rabin a traitor, during the ceremony in Jerusalem to mark the 24th anniversary of the prime minister's murder by a far-right Jew.
Speaking at the official ceremony on at Mount Herzl to commemorate the late prime minister and his wife Leah, Netanyahu claimed the allegations were false, sayign that he had seen Rabin as mistaken in his push for peace but not a traitor.
"We had substantive disagreements over the Oslo accords," Netanyahu said.
"I represented a major part of the public that saw the agreement with the Palestinians as dangerous and wrong and that was a legitimate stance," he told the gathered crowd, which included President Reuven Rivlin, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, DeputyChief Justice Hanan Melcer and the Rabin family.
"I said on many occasions that Rabin was not a traitor, he was mistaken but not a traitor" Netanyahu added.
"After the murder efforts were made to stain our entire political camp. Calling people traitors, treasonous and worthy of death continue today but I do not lay blame on the political camp from which these calls are coming," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister also declined to walk over to greet the Rabin family after his speech, unlike President Reuven Rivlin who spoke before him.
"The days before Rabin’s murder were days of intense and legitimate public debate, that descended in some cases to criminal incitement and defamation that motivated the murderer to try and assassinate Israeli democracy,” the president said.
“We mustn’t forget the slippery slope from incitement and hate to bloodshed," Rivlin said, imploring all political camps not to "fuel hate. It is not the way of the Israeli nation.”
Rabin was assassinated on November 4, 1995 a right-wing extremist as he left the stage at a peace rally in Tel Aviv.
Rabin won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994, along with his long-time political rival Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. In the same year he signed the peace treaty with Jordan that is currently marking its 25th anniversary.
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