Bibi Netanyahu responded immediately after John Kerry castigated and patronized Israelis by lecturing them about the need for peace in what was billed as a substantive speech about peace between the “Palestinians” and Israelis.
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During his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a stinging reprimand of the anti-settlement vote at UN Security Council. He asserted that “the Western Wall isn’t occupied territory,” and said he looked forward to working with the Trump administration when they take office next month.
“I share ministers’ feelings, anger and frustration vis-à-vis the unbalanced resolution that is very hostile to the State of Israel, and which the [UN] Security Council passed in an unworthy manner. From the information that we have, we have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it, stood behind it, coordinated on the wording and demanded that it be passed. This is, of course, in complete contradiction of the traditional American policy that was committed to not trying to dictate terms for a permanent agreement, like any issue related to them in the Security Council, and, of course, the explicit commitment of President Obama himself, in 2011, to refrain from such steps. We will do whatever is necessary so that Israel will not be damaged by this shameful resolution and I also tell the ministers here, we must act prudently, responsibly and calmly, in both actions and words. I ask ministers to act responsibly as per the directives that will be given today at the Security Cabinet meeting immediately following this meeting. I have also asked the Foreign Ministry to prepare an action plan regarding the UN and other international elements, which will be submitted to the Security Cabinet within one month. Until then, of course, we will consider our steps.”
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A stormy debate erupted yesterday (Tuesday) in the Knesset Education Committee when several bereaved families spoke out against academic programs that offer students credits and scholarships for interning in NGOs that defend terrorists in court. The bereaved families waved pictures of their loved ones and demanded to remove these programs from academia.
The committee was convened following the report that academic programs offer students credits and scholarships for interning in foreign government-funded NGOs that engage in a wide array of highly controversial activity. Among these NGOs is “HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual,” which defends terrorists and their families in court. Upon hearing the news, the Forum for Bereaved Families immediately penned a letter to Minister of Education Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) and Chairman of the Education Committee MK Yakov Margi (Shas) urging them to remove these programs from academia.
Devorah Gonen, the mother of Danny Gonen z’l who was murdered by a terrorist while hiking near the village of Dolev in 2015, said: “We feel that our loved ones were murdered a second time. The Council for Higher Education must end this absurdity immediately. This is a dangerous snowball; if today students can intern at organizations that strengthen the murderers of Jews, I fear that the next step will be even worse. It is sad that we have to beg for this. Israeli academia is degrading the murder of our loved ones. The blood of those murdered is crying out from the ground.”
Hadas Mizrahi, who lost her husband Chief Superintendent Baruch Mizrahi z’l in a terror shooting last Passover, said: “Baruch was murdered because he was a citizen of the State of Israel. It is absurd that the Council for Higher Education permits an organization like “HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual” to have a place in academia. What message are we sending to our society? For the murder of Jews we award prizes? For this students receive scholarships? How have we gotten here!?”
A representative from the Council for Higher Education was present at the discussion and said: “The Council rejects all attempts to politicize academia and calls to expose the students to a wide range of opinions. The Chairman of the Council has appointed Professor Asa Kasher to create an ethical code that will examine the connection between politics and academia.”
Doron Mizrahi, father of IDF soldier Ziv Mizrahi z’l, waved a picture of his son to members of the committee and said: “How have we gotten to this situation that we, the bereaved families, need to beg in order to stop this absurdity? It cannot be that our taxes continue to fund organizations that work against Israeli citizens. I demand: help us prevent the next murder.”
Matan Peleg, CEO of Im Tirtzu movement, which exposed these academic programs to the public, said: “Our hearts are with the bereaved families that fight against those who defend the murderers of their loved ones on a daily basis. Now the families are getting another slap in the face, this time from the Council for Higher Education.”
Peleg continued: “Anti-Zionist political organizations that receive funding from foreign governments have no place in Israeli academia. The fact that one can receive academic credits for interning at organizations like “B’Tselem,” HaMoked,” and “Baladna” is an utter disgrace to academia, and strengthens the delegitimization campaign against Israel from within.”
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On Fox News Israeli Ambassodor to the USA explicitely said that Israel has evidence that the Obama administration was behind the vote from the beginning.
“We have that evidence … we’re going to present it to the new administration, and if they choose to share it with the American people, that’ll be their choice,” Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer told Fox News’ “Special Report.” “It’s very clear that the U.S. orchestrated that.”
Will Obama Attack Again?
Israel is preparing for yet another collision with the ourgoing Obama administration, as Secretary of State John Kerry prepares to follow up UN Resolution 2334 with a major address on the “U.S. vision for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ”
The State Department has now confirmed that Kerry plans on discussing the Middle East peace process on Wednesday.
Israeli news outlets are reporting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is very concerned that the Obama Administration will have the Security Council endorse principles for a Palestinian state.
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In the wake up America’s failure to veto UN Resolution 2334, which declares that all Jewish residents living beyond the 1949 armistice line are actually breaking international law, Bibi Netanyahu should do the following three actions.
- Leave the UN: This needs to be coordinated with the incoming Trump administration and the senators that are moving in this direction in order to create serious momentum.
- Expel all UN workers (including UNRWA) from Israel immediately: This should have been done a long time ago, but was not. Now there is opportunity get rid of the UN once and for all.
- Annex Area C: Although Naftali Bennett’s plan names the Stability Initiative has flaws, it is the best next move and Bibi needs to immediately use it to annex Area C in Judea and Samaria as a preparation fo complete annexation.
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