17 may 2015
Erdan urges PM to stop talking of building, and actually build in the capital, while Bennett tells world: 'Jerusalem is our soul, and you don't divide a soul'.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday night that Israel's answer to terrorist attacks aimed at its citizens should be to continue construction in Jerusalem.
"We are determined to go after the terrorists and stand against those who wish to harm us as a fortified wall," Netanyahu said at the annual Jerusalem Day ceremony at the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva. "And we have another decisive answer: We keep building in Jerusalem all the time, developing it and paving new roads to it," he added.
"Jerusalem is our eternal united capital. It will never be divided again," Netanyahu vowed, describing the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem as a "drama on a Biblical scale."
"Our feet are standing within thy gates, O Jerusalem; Jerusalem, that art builded as a city that is compact together," the prime minister said, quoting from Psalms 122. "Compact together and will never be divided again," he added. He promised "to continue protecting Jerusalem. To develop Jerusalem of below, and draw strength from Jerusalem of above, from Torah studying and from all of the spiritual treasures of the people of Israel."
Netanyahu also quoted Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, who was among the first to arrive at the Western Wall on the day of Jerusalem's liberation in 1967 and was asked to make a radio address to mark the historic occasion, saying, "We have arrived and returned home, and we will never leave here!"
"From the days of the Bible and until this very day, Jerusalem has been the basis of our existence... Jews throughout the generations prayed for 'Next Year in Jerusalem'. The Prophet Isaiah made his prophecies here in Jerusalem. There are some among our enemies who say we are a foreign element. Have you heard that?! The Prophet Isaiah and King David were here 3,000 years ago. They prophesized here, reigned here, fought here - until the days of the Maccabees and later. We are not a foreign element! This is our land, and this is our city! This is how it has been and this is how it will continue to be!" the prime minister said.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett also vowed to never allow Jerusalem to be divided again. "To those who sit abroad and think there's some piece of real estate that is negotiable, we say: Jerusalem is the soul of the land of Israel, and you don't divide a soul!" Earlier in the evening, Bennett attended the traditional Jerusalem Day march to the Western Wall that ended with a ceremony. "Soon, in our time, Jews would be able to go up and pray on the Temple Mount, because the Temple Mount is ours," he said at the ceremony.
Likud MK Gilad Erdan, who chose not to join the fourth Netanyahu government, was also at the ceremony at the Western Wall. "The City of David, the Mount of Olives, the Old City, the Temple Mount - they will all remain in our hands forever," Erdan said. He also had a message to Netanyahu: "We need to build in Jerusalem. Not talk about building in Jerusalem, but actually build. Building in Jerusalem should not be a response to an event or a terror attack, it should be routine."
He expressed concern of the changes to the demographic balance in Jerusalem in recent years, saying current construction was not enough to meet the needs of the city's development.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday night that Israel's answer to terrorist attacks aimed at its citizens should be to continue construction in Jerusalem.
"We are determined to go after the terrorists and stand against those who wish to harm us as a fortified wall," Netanyahu said at the annual Jerusalem Day ceremony at the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva. "And we have another decisive answer: We keep building in Jerusalem all the time, developing it and paving new roads to it," he added.
"Jerusalem is our eternal united capital. It will never be divided again," Netanyahu vowed, describing the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem as a "drama on a Biblical scale."
"Our feet are standing within thy gates, O Jerusalem; Jerusalem, that art builded as a city that is compact together," the prime minister said, quoting from Psalms 122. "Compact together and will never be divided again," he added. He promised "to continue protecting Jerusalem. To develop Jerusalem of below, and draw strength from Jerusalem of above, from Torah studying and from all of the spiritual treasures of the people of Israel."
Netanyahu also quoted Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, who was among the first to arrive at the Western Wall on the day of Jerusalem's liberation in 1967 and was asked to make a radio address to mark the historic occasion, saying, "We have arrived and returned home, and we will never leave here!"
"From the days of the Bible and until this very day, Jerusalem has been the basis of our existence... Jews throughout the generations prayed for 'Next Year in Jerusalem'. The Prophet Isaiah made his prophecies here in Jerusalem. There are some among our enemies who say we are a foreign element. Have you heard that?! The Prophet Isaiah and King David were here 3,000 years ago. They prophesized here, reigned here, fought here - until the days of the Maccabees and later. We are not a foreign element! This is our land, and this is our city! This is how it has been and this is how it will continue to be!" the prime minister said.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett also vowed to never allow Jerusalem to be divided again. "To those who sit abroad and think there's some piece of real estate that is negotiable, we say: Jerusalem is the soul of the land of Israel, and you don't divide a soul!" Earlier in the evening, Bennett attended the traditional Jerusalem Day march to the Western Wall that ended with a ceremony. "Soon, in our time, Jews would be able to go up and pray on the Temple Mount, because the Temple Mount is ours," he said at the ceremony.
Likud MK Gilad Erdan, who chose not to join the fourth Netanyahu government, was also at the ceremony at the Western Wall. "The City of David, the Mount of Olives, the Old City, the Temple Mount - they will all remain in our hands forever," Erdan said. He also had a message to Netanyahu: "We need to build in Jerusalem. Not talk about building in Jerusalem, but actually build. Building in Jerusalem should not be a response to an event or a terror attack, it should be routine."
He expressed concern of the changes to the demographic balance in Jerusalem in recent years, saying current construction was not enough to meet the needs of the city's development.
16 may 2015
Regev says ministry which deals with state issues should operate from Israel's capital; ceremony to replace ministers to be held in Sheikh Jarrah instead of Tel Aviv.
Miri Regev's first decision as minister of culture and sport is to move the ministry's offices from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Ynet has learned.
Regev has already approached Finance Ministry officials with the request to find the Culture and Sport Ministry a new home in the capital. As part of the move, the ceremony to replace ministers on Sunday will not take place at the Tel Aviv office, but rather in the ministry's existing branch in Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem, where the ministry's operations have been far and few so far.
One of the main reasons that led Regev to speed up the move is the fact the ministry deals with state-related issues like symbols and ceremonies, and she believes such a ministry should be operating from the state's capital.
The issue of moving government ministries to Jerusalem has been a disputed issue for years. In May 2007, the government decided to move all of the offices operating outside Jerusalem to the capital within eight years.
But the implementation of this decision was faced with a lot of difficulties, among them the fact there was no practical plan for the move. A state comptroller report from 2013, which harshly criticized the government's operations, prevented the implementation of the decision.
Last year, an amendment to the government decision was approved, extending the deadline for the completion of the move in three years. However it is once again unclear when the move would actually happen.
The move relies heavily on the motivation of senior government officials to move from central Israel to Jerusalem. Regev's appointment to the Culture and Sport Ministry was met with harsh and at times blunt criticism from prominent figures in Israeli culture.
Actor Gavri Banai called her a "behema," which means a beast, and is also a slang word to describe a vulgar person. "I'm sorry to hear these comments," she said in response. "Those who expect us to be tolerant should be tolerant themselves. I would be happy to meet with him and he will be pleasantly surprised."
When asked whether she will censor art that she considers to be inappropriate, Regev told Ynet: "Limits must be set in movies. I won't shut mouths, but if we need to censor - I will."
Miri Regev's first decision as minister of culture and sport is to move the ministry's offices from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Ynet has learned.
Regev has already approached Finance Ministry officials with the request to find the Culture and Sport Ministry a new home in the capital. As part of the move, the ceremony to replace ministers on Sunday will not take place at the Tel Aviv office, but rather in the ministry's existing branch in Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem, where the ministry's operations have been far and few so far.
One of the main reasons that led Regev to speed up the move is the fact the ministry deals with state-related issues like symbols and ceremonies, and she believes such a ministry should be operating from the state's capital.
The issue of moving government ministries to Jerusalem has been a disputed issue for years. In May 2007, the government decided to move all of the offices operating outside Jerusalem to the capital within eight years.
But the implementation of this decision was faced with a lot of difficulties, among them the fact there was no practical plan for the move. A state comptroller report from 2013, which harshly criticized the government's operations, prevented the implementation of the decision.
Last year, an amendment to the government decision was approved, extending the deadline for the completion of the move in three years. However it is once again unclear when the move would actually happen.
The move relies heavily on the motivation of senior government officials to move from central Israel to Jerusalem. Regev's appointment to the Culture and Sport Ministry was met with harsh and at times blunt criticism from prominent figures in Israeli culture.
Actor Gavri Banai called her a "behema," which means a beast, and is also a slang word to describe a vulgar person. "I'm sorry to hear these comments," she said in response. "Those who expect us to be tolerant should be tolerant themselves. I would be happy to meet with him and he will be pleasantly surprised."
When asked whether she will censor art that she considers to be inappropriate, Regev told Ynet: "Limits must be set in movies. I won't shut mouths, but if we need to censor - I will."
An Israeli construction company on Saturday called for tenders to estimate the prices of and to rebuild nine Palestinian neighborhoods in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem which have been confiscated and partially destroyed.
In a press statement on Saturday, Khalil al-Tafakji, expert in settlement at the Arab Studies Society, said most of the targeted areas in the Old City are endowment territories belonging to Jerusalemite families.
These Arab neighborhoods were confiscated in 1968 after seizing 116 dunums for the public benefit. Their Palestinian inhabitants were displaced as well. The Israelis claim it as a Jewish district, while only 5 dunums out of 116 were inhabited by Jews.
He pointed out that the call for tenders is very dangerous as it means transferring the ownership of all the Palestinian neighborhoods to Jews who will be occupying them.
"Three years ago, the Israeli government announced its intention to register the properties of the Old City by new Jewish names to replace the Palestinians," Tafakji said.
He disclosed the endorsement of detailed plan to renovate and reconstruct an Israeli Synagogue for the Sephardic Jews in the Old City of Jerusalem with an area of 1,400 square meters and an altitude of 23 meters.
This decision followed the construction of a synagogue for the western Jews just 30 meters far from the location of the new synagogue to be built.
In a press statement on Saturday, Khalil al-Tafakji, expert in settlement at the Arab Studies Society, said most of the targeted areas in the Old City are endowment territories belonging to Jerusalemite families.
These Arab neighborhoods were confiscated in 1968 after seizing 116 dunums for the public benefit. Their Palestinian inhabitants were displaced as well. The Israelis claim it as a Jewish district, while only 5 dunums out of 116 were inhabited by Jews.
He pointed out that the call for tenders is very dangerous as it means transferring the ownership of all the Palestinian neighborhoods to Jews who will be occupying them.
"Three years ago, the Israeli government announced its intention to register the properties of the Old City by new Jewish names to replace the Palestinians," Tafakji said.
He disclosed the endorsement of detailed plan to renovate and reconstruct an Israeli Synagogue for the Sephardic Jews in the Old City of Jerusalem with an area of 1,400 square meters and an altitude of 23 meters.
This decision followed the construction of a synagogue for the western Jews just 30 meters far from the location of the new synagogue to be built.
United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned Tel Aviv’s latest plans to construct illegal settlement units in Palestinian territories, calling on the Israeli regime to scrap the projects.
Ban "strongly deplores the advancement of settlement activities on three occasions over the past three consecutive weeks" in the West Bank and in East al-Quds (Jerusalem), the UN chief's spokesperson said in a statement released on Friday.
The UN chief reiterated that Israeli settlements are “illegal under international law” and urged Tel Aviv “to halt and reverse such decisions in the interest of peace and a just final status agreement."
"The international community will not recognize unilateral actions on the ground and that the status of Jerusalem can only be resolved through negotiations," Ban added.
The remarks came a day after the Israeli Housing Ministry issued new tenders for the constructions of 85 settlement units just five kilometers northwest of occupied al-Quds and of 1,500 hotel rooms in the city’s Jabal al-Mokabber neighborhood.
On May 7, Tel Aviv approved the construction of 900 new illegal settler units in East al-Quds, the move was criticized by the European Union (EU), which described it as an obstacle to the so-called peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Israeli Interior Ministry had already announced a plan to build hundreds of settler homes in the same neighborhood in East al-Quds. However, construction was delayed because the planning committee said new roads need to be built first.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories in 1967.
Israel occupied and then annexed the West Bank and East al-Quds in the Six-Day War of 1967, but the move has never been recognized by the international community.
Palestinians are seeking to create an independent state on the territories of the West Bank, East al-Quds, and the besieged Gaza Strip and are demanding that Israel withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories.
Ban "strongly deplores the advancement of settlement activities on three occasions over the past three consecutive weeks" in the West Bank and in East al-Quds (Jerusalem), the UN chief's spokesperson said in a statement released on Friday.
The UN chief reiterated that Israeli settlements are “illegal under international law” and urged Tel Aviv “to halt and reverse such decisions in the interest of peace and a just final status agreement."
"The international community will not recognize unilateral actions on the ground and that the status of Jerusalem can only be resolved through negotiations," Ban added.
The remarks came a day after the Israeli Housing Ministry issued new tenders for the constructions of 85 settlement units just five kilometers northwest of occupied al-Quds and of 1,500 hotel rooms in the city’s Jabal al-Mokabber neighborhood.
On May 7, Tel Aviv approved the construction of 900 new illegal settler units in East al-Quds, the move was criticized by the European Union (EU), which described it as an obstacle to the so-called peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Israeli Interior Ministry had already announced a plan to build hundreds of settler homes in the same neighborhood in East al-Quds. However, construction was delayed because the planning committee said new roads need to be built first.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories in 1967.
Israel occupied and then annexed the West Bank and East al-Quds in the Six-Day War of 1967, but the move has never been recognized by the international community.
Palestinians are seeking to create an independent state on the territories of the West Bank, East al-Quds, and the besieged Gaza Strip and are demanding that Israel withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories.
Sir Vincent Fean
Members of the European Eminent Persons Group (EEPG) have called for a fresh approach to resolving the Israeli-Palestinians conflict in a letter sent to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, EU foreign ministers and copied to US Secretary of State John Kerry this week.
The letter, signed by former European prime ministers, foreign ministers and one former president, expresses their low confidence that Prime Minister Netanyahu's new Israeli coalition government is committed to negotiating for a two-state solution, or that the US Government will be able to lead negotiations with the "vigour and the impartiality that a two-state outcome demands." Noting that the collapsed peace protest also harms European interests, the EEPG urge the EU to take a more proactive role in resolving the conflict.
The letter also discusses the conditions facing Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, stating that: "Standards of living and human rights in [the Occupied Territories] have sunk shockingly low. It is no longer possible for the EU to allow these conditions to continue without grave risk to its international reputation and to its long-term interest in the stability of its neighbourhood ... Europe has yet to find an effective way of holding Israel to account for the way it maintains the occupation. It is time now to demonstrate to both parties how seriously European public opinion takes contraventions of international law, the perpetration of atrocities and the denial of established rights."
Among the recommendations made by the EEPG in the latter are a tougher stance on illegal settlements, and the introduction of 'political conditionality' for the EU's interactions with both sides, dependent on their commitment to the two-state solution. The group also recommend that EU support for UN Security Council resolutions calling for either new negotiations to establish a two-state solution or the recognition of Palestinian statehood and accession to international treaties.
Reacting to the letter, MAP trustee and former UK Consul-General to Jerusalem Sir Vincent Fean said: "This is a powerful, accurate analysis and policy prescription by a set of people who know what it is to make hard choices - and who are motivated by what is best for Israel, Palestine, Europe and the wider world ... The focus on UN Security Council action is right. The crisis requires a formal restatement of the will of the international community to guarantee the two state outcome, with consequences for rockets from Gaza, the continuation of the blockade of Gaza, and settlement activity."
Members of the European Eminent Persons Group (EEPG) have called for a fresh approach to resolving the Israeli-Palestinians conflict in a letter sent to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, EU foreign ministers and copied to US Secretary of State John Kerry this week.
The letter, signed by former European prime ministers, foreign ministers and one former president, expresses their low confidence that Prime Minister Netanyahu's new Israeli coalition government is committed to negotiating for a two-state solution, or that the US Government will be able to lead negotiations with the "vigour and the impartiality that a two-state outcome demands." Noting that the collapsed peace protest also harms European interests, the EEPG urge the EU to take a more proactive role in resolving the conflict.
The letter also discusses the conditions facing Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, stating that: "Standards of living and human rights in [the Occupied Territories] have sunk shockingly low. It is no longer possible for the EU to allow these conditions to continue without grave risk to its international reputation and to its long-term interest in the stability of its neighbourhood ... Europe has yet to find an effective way of holding Israel to account for the way it maintains the occupation. It is time now to demonstrate to both parties how seriously European public opinion takes contraventions of international law, the perpetration of atrocities and the denial of established rights."
Among the recommendations made by the EEPG in the latter are a tougher stance on illegal settlements, and the introduction of 'political conditionality' for the EU's interactions with both sides, dependent on their commitment to the two-state solution. The group also recommend that EU support for UN Security Council resolutions calling for either new negotiations to establish a two-state solution or the recognition of Palestinian statehood and accession to international treaties.
Reacting to the letter, MAP trustee and former UK Consul-General to Jerusalem Sir Vincent Fean said: "This is a powerful, accurate analysis and policy prescription by a set of people who know what it is to make hard choices - and who are motivated by what is best for Israel, Palestine, Europe and the wider world ... The focus on UN Security Council action is right. The crisis requires a formal restatement of the will of the international community to guarantee the two state outcome, with consequences for rockets from Gaza, the continuation of the blockade of Gaza, and settlement activity."
15 may 2015
Federica Mogherini will conduct talks on the stalled peace process with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and officials, days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begins his fourth term.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini will visit the Middle East next week for talks on the peace process with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Brussels said Friday.
Her visit on Wednesday and Thursday, which comes just days after Netanyahu started a new term as Israeli premier, will be "to discuss the bilateral relations as well as prospects for the Middle East Peace Process," her office said.
The former Italian foreign minister will also meet a number of other Israeli and Palestinian officials, the statement from her office said without giving further details or the exact venue of the talks.
Mogherini took over as foreign policy chief for the 28-nation European Union in November and visited Israel and the Palestinian territories shortly afterwards, saying she wanted to make a priority of pushing forward the Middle East peace process.
She has been criticized by some in Israel for her vocal insistence that a two-state solution is the only way forward and for her condemnation of Israeli settlement-building.
Mogherini said in March that the European Union was committed to re-launching the peace process, shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won re-election. "We are at a crucial moment, with many threats all over the Middle East.
"The EU staunchly supports a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in the interest of the Israeli people, of the Palestinian people and of the whole region. We are at your side, you can count on us," Mogherini assured, calling on a "bold leadership" to reach "a comprehensive, stable and viable settlement of a conflict that has already deprived too many generations of peace and security."
"It's time to turn this page and I'm confident that we can work together with the international community for a solution that will guarantee peace and security in the Middle East," she added.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini will visit the Middle East next week for talks on the peace process with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Brussels said Friday.
Her visit on Wednesday and Thursday, which comes just days after Netanyahu started a new term as Israeli premier, will be "to discuss the bilateral relations as well as prospects for the Middle East Peace Process," her office said.
The former Italian foreign minister will also meet a number of other Israeli and Palestinian officials, the statement from her office said without giving further details or the exact venue of the talks.
Mogherini took over as foreign policy chief for the 28-nation European Union in November and visited Israel and the Palestinian territories shortly afterwards, saying she wanted to make a priority of pushing forward the Middle East peace process.
She has been criticized by some in Israel for her vocal insistence that a two-state solution is the only way forward and for her condemnation of Israeli settlement-building.
Mogherini said in March that the European Union was committed to re-launching the peace process, shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won re-election. "We are at a crucial moment, with many threats all over the Middle East.
"The EU staunchly supports a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in the interest of the Israeli people, of the Palestinian people and of the whole region. We are at your side, you can count on us," Mogherini assured, calling on a "bold leadership" to reach "a comprehensive, stable and viable settlement of a conflict that has already deprived too many generations of peace and security."
"It's time to turn this page and I'm confident that we can work together with the international community for a solution that will guarantee peace and security in the Middle East," she added.
The Israeli parliament narrowly approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government as the United States insisted Israel must forge a deal with the Palestinians for its own good.
The new administration marks the government's ongoing shift to the right and looks likely to complicate Netanyahu's fraught relationships with the Palestinians and with US President Barack Obama.
"We will safeguard our security and strive for peace," Netanyahu said in a speech ahead of the parliamentary vote, which was interrupted by loud laughter from the opposition and heckling from Palestinian Israeli lawmakers, three of whom were ejected.
After two months of coalition horse-trading, Thursday's session was delayed for another two hours to give Netanyahu more time to placate senior members of his Likud party. They were dissatisfied by the portfolios they received, after Netanyahu was forced to hand out senior ministerial positions to coalition partners.
Opposition members called the premier's deal-making "a farce," and the coalition was finally approved by a razor-thin vote of 61-59.
Netanyahu stressed the need to change the system of governance to increase Israel's political stability and implied he would seek to expand his narrow coalition.
But opposition head Isaac Herzog firmly rejected any notion of joining Netanyahu's government. "No decent leader would join this circus that you've formed at the last moment with barely a majority for the sole purpose of perpetuating your regime," Herzog said. "Your way is not my way."
Netanyahu's lineup is dominated by right-wing and religious parties and commands a slender majority of 61 of the parliament's 120 seats, leaving it vulnerable should a disgruntled MP turn on the premier. On the eve of the March 17 election, Netanyahu triggered a diplomatic backlash by promising there would be no Palestinian state on his watch.
Although he has since sought to backtrack, reviving the peace process is unlikely to be a priority for his new cabinet, which features several ministers bent on expanding settlement construction on land the Palestinians want for a future state.
Netanyahu's 61 majority seats are largely right wing, some of whom faced allegations of refusing a future Palestinian state and racist politics after they acquired their Knesset seats.Newly appointed justice minister, Habayit Hayehudi's (Jewish Home) Ayelet Shaked, hasdrawn fierce criticism for allegedly "genocidal" outspoken on the Palestinians, and her attempts to advance legislation criticized as anti-democratic.
'Distant prospect'
Speaking shortly after the vote confirming the new coalition, Obama said Israel's long-term security would be best served by reaching an agreement to live alongside a recognized Palestinian state.
"I continue to believe a two-state solution is absolutely vital for not only peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but for the long-term security of Israel as a democratic and Jewish state," Obama told a Camp David news conference.
"I know that a government has been formed that contains some folks who don't necessarily believe in that premise, but that continues to be my premise," he said. "That prospect seems distant now, but I think it's always important for us to keep in mind what's right and what's possible."
The coalition groups Likud, which won 30 seats in the election, with the center-right Kulanu (10 seats), Jewish Home (eight) and two ultra-Orthodox parties: Shas (seven) and United Torah Judaism (six).
Likud members were handed portfolios during a round of bargaining with Netanyahu that lasted well into the Thursday parliamentary session. Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon was to keep his portfolio, as was Yisrael Katz, who has served as transport minister since Likud won the 2009 election.
Katz will also receive the intelligence portfolio formerly held by Yuval Steinitz, who will become energy minister and coordinate Israel's position on Iran and its nuclear program.
The premier will remain foreign minister and Tzipi Hotovely becomes deputy foreign minister. Hotovely rejects establishing a future Palestinian state, has called to annex the West Bank and make Palestinians Israeli citizens.
Gilad Erdan, the highest ranking Likud member after Netanyahu, did not receive a portfolio after refusing the premier's proposal to be internal security minister.
The new economy minister will be Arye Deri, head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party who was imprisoned in 2000 for two years for corruption and breach of trust, felonies committed while interior minister.
Since Avigdor Lieberman relinquished his position of foreign minister and dropped a political bombshell by withdrawing his hardline anti-Arab Yisrael Beitenu from the coalition talks, Netanyahu has kept the foreign affairs portfolio for himself.
The new administration marks the government's ongoing shift to the right and looks likely to complicate Netanyahu's fraught relationships with the Palestinians and with US President Barack Obama.
"We will safeguard our security and strive for peace," Netanyahu said in a speech ahead of the parliamentary vote, which was interrupted by loud laughter from the opposition and heckling from Palestinian Israeli lawmakers, three of whom were ejected.
After two months of coalition horse-trading, Thursday's session was delayed for another two hours to give Netanyahu more time to placate senior members of his Likud party. They were dissatisfied by the portfolios they received, after Netanyahu was forced to hand out senior ministerial positions to coalition partners.
Opposition members called the premier's deal-making "a farce," and the coalition was finally approved by a razor-thin vote of 61-59.
Netanyahu stressed the need to change the system of governance to increase Israel's political stability and implied he would seek to expand his narrow coalition.
But opposition head Isaac Herzog firmly rejected any notion of joining Netanyahu's government. "No decent leader would join this circus that you've formed at the last moment with barely a majority for the sole purpose of perpetuating your regime," Herzog said. "Your way is not my way."
Netanyahu's lineup is dominated by right-wing and religious parties and commands a slender majority of 61 of the parliament's 120 seats, leaving it vulnerable should a disgruntled MP turn on the premier. On the eve of the March 17 election, Netanyahu triggered a diplomatic backlash by promising there would be no Palestinian state on his watch.
Although he has since sought to backtrack, reviving the peace process is unlikely to be a priority for his new cabinet, which features several ministers bent on expanding settlement construction on land the Palestinians want for a future state.
Netanyahu's 61 majority seats are largely right wing, some of whom faced allegations of refusing a future Palestinian state and racist politics after they acquired their Knesset seats.Newly appointed justice minister, Habayit Hayehudi's (Jewish Home) Ayelet Shaked, hasdrawn fierce criticism for allegedly "genocidal" outspoken on the Palestinians, and her attempts to advance legislation criticized as anti-democratic.
'Distant prospect'
Speaking shortly after the vote confirming the new coalition, Obama said Israel's long-term security would be best served by reaching an agreement to live alongside a recognized Palestinian state.
"I continue to believe a two-state solution is absolutely vital for not only peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but for the long-term security of Israel as a democratic and Jewish state," Obama told a Camp David news conference.
"I know that a government has been formed that contains some folks who don't necessarily believe in that premise, but that continues to be my premise," he said. "That prospect seems distant now, but I think it's always important for us to keep in mind what's right and what's possible."
The coalition groups Likud, which won 30 seats in the election, with the center-right Kulanu (10 seats), Jewish Home (eight) and two ultra-Orthodox parties: Shas (seven) and United Torah Judaism (six).
Likud members were handed portfolios during a round of bargaining with Netanyahu that lasted well into the Thursday parliamentary session. Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon was to keep his portfolio, as was Yisrael Katz, who has served as transport minister since Likud won the 2009 election.
Katz will also receive the intelligence portfolio formerly held by Yuval Steinitz, who will become energy minister and coordinate Israel's position on Iran and its nuclear program.
The premier will remain foreign minister and Tzipi Hotovely becomes deputy foreign minister. Hotovely rejects establishing a future Palestinian state, has called to annex the West Bank and make Palestinians Israeli citizens.
Gilad Erdan, the highest ranking Likud member after Netanyahu, did not receive a portfolio after refusing the premier's proposal to be internal security minister.
The new economy minister will be Arye Deri, head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party who was imprisoned in 2000 for two years for corruption and breach of trust, felonies committed while interior minister.
Since Avigdor Lieberman relinquished his position of foreign minister and dropped a political bombshell by withdrawing his hardline anti-Arab Yisrael Beitenu from the coalition talks, Netanyahu has kept the foreign affairs portfolio for himself.
On Thursday, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders issued a statement denouncing the new plan to build more units in illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Jerusalem.
His statement came after Israel approved texpanding Ramat Shlomo illegal colony, in Jabal al-Mkabber, in occupied East Jerusalem.
Reynders said the new Israeli plans cause serious concerns, as they place more obstacles to the efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement, and question the Israel’s commitment to peace.
His statements are similar to repeatedly declared positions by Foreign Ministers of the European Union, who also called on Israel to void its plans, and work for peace.
Reynders affirmed that EU’s spokesperson of the High Representative Federica Mogherini stated that the Israel's settlement policies in occupied Palestine, threaten the two-state solution and cast doubts on Israel’s commitment to peace.
The official further stated that Israel’s settlements violate International Law and Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention that prohibits an occupying power from deporting or transferring parts of its own civilian population into territories it occupies.
Besides the Geneva Convention, the UN Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice, all confirm the illegality of Israel’s settlements.
His statement came after Israel approved texpanding Ramat Shlomo illegal colony, in Jabal al-Mkabber, in occupied East Jerusalem.
Reynders said the new Israeli plans cause serious concerns, as they place more obstacles to the efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement, and question the Israel’s commitment to peace.
His statements are similar to repeatedly declared positions by Foreign Ministers of the European Union, who also called on Israel to void its plans, and work for peace.
Reynders affirmed that EU’s spokesperson of the High Representative Federica Mogherini stated that the Israel's settlement policies in occupied Palestine, threaten the two-state solution and cast doubts on Israel’s commitment to peace.
The official further stated that Israel’s settlements violate International Law and Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention that prohibits an occupying power from deporting or transferring parts of its own civilian population into territories it occupies.
Besides the Geneva Convention, the UN Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice, all confirm the illegality of Israel’s settlements.
14 may 2015
Buildings in Ramat Shlomo, a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem
The Israeli ministry of construction issued tenders for the building of 85 new housing units in the Givat Zeev settlement, settlement watchdog Peace Now said on Thursday.
The tenders for the settlement, which lies immediately south of the West Bank city of Ramallah, had been issued last year but received no bids from contractors so were issued again, Peace Now and the construction ministry said.
The Peace Now statement came hours before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to present his new government to Israel's parliament for a vote of approval.
Netanyahu's new coalition, the fourth he will head, contains many ministers from his right-wing Likud party and the far-right Jewish Home committed to east Jerusalem and West Bank settlement construction, where Palestinians envision their future state.
The Palestinian leadership has already condemned the incoming coalition, with chief negotiator Saeb Erekat predicting it would seek to expand settlements and not work to reach peace.
The Israeli ministry of construction issued tenders for the building of 85 new housing units in the Givat Zeev settlement, settlement watchdog Peace Now said on Thursday.
The tenders for the settlement, which lies immediately south of the West Bank city of Ramallah, had been issued last year but received no bids from contractors so were issued again, Peace Now and the construction ministry said.
The Peace Now statement came hours before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to present his new government to Israel's parliament for a vote of approval.
Netanyahu's new coalition, the fourth he will head, contains many ministers from his right-wing Likud party and the far-right Jewish Home committed to east Jerusalem and West Bank settlement construction, where Palestinians envision their future state.
The Palestinian leadership has already condemned the incoming coalition, with chief negotiator Saeb Erekat predicting it would seek to expand settlements and not work to reach peace.
