Bewildering, Frustrating, Unacceptable Inaction From Israel’s Prime Minister
It has often been stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a master at deferring difficult decisions, and that he prefers to maintain the status quo rather than be a change agent. However, with a Trump administration in the White House, and pro-Israel Republicans in control of the House and Senate, many view Israel as having a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make bold decisions regarding its control of Judea and Samaria, to assert sovereignty and initiate a major building program.
However, PM Netanyahu is (at least, so far) not using the opportunity afforded by the Trump presidency to reinvigorate Jewish life in Judea and Samaria. On the contrary, he is using the Trump presidency as an excuse to not make any decisions, specifically to not make a decision to build. He appears to be waiting, pending an agreement between the U.S. and Israel on the parameters of where Israel will be “allowed” to build (i.e., in settlement blocs, but not isolated communities.)
This raises the question, why does Israel need permission from the United States on where to build? Both Bibi Netanyahu and Donald Trump have parroted the same line, that the U.S. and Israel are allies, and that the bond between the two nations is unbreakable. As such, does Israel view itself as equal or subordinate to the United States?
It is time for Israel to act in its own interests. Bibi has talked and written for decades about Israel taking its place among the nations. It is time he made decisions based on the needs of Israel.
Thus, we ask the following:
Why are Jews, who have been living in their homes for more than 20 years, on land to which they have biblical, legal, and historic entitlement, evicted from those homes, based on questionable legal decisions?
And once evicted, why are they abandoned? What happened to the promises for new housing in a new community adjacent to the one from which they’ve been removed?
Why doesn’t the government approve the building in communities such as Shiloh and Itamar (among other Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria) where there is ample, uninhabited land?
By evicting Jews from their homes, Israel hands the Arabs a victory. Israel’s enemies are justified in claiming that the land isn’t really Israel’s when the country is ready to use its police forces and army to forcibly remove Jews from the homes in which they have lived for years. A proud Israel would stand by its claims of ownership of the Promised Land.
We believe that President Trump is giving PM Netanyahu a free rein to determine what is best for his country and his people. For Bibi to use Trump as an excuse for his weakness and failure is inexcusable.
Let PM Netanyahu know how shameful and deplorable were the expulsions and demolitions that took place in the Jewish communities of Amona and Ofra:
pm_eng@pmo.gov.il; Fax: 972-2-670-3398
Yesterday we saluted several Congressmen for their stand against antisemitism. Today, we are appreciative of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina for reintroducing legislation that would cut off American funding of the Palestinian Authority if it continues to pay monetary rewards to terrorists and their families.
According to The Algemeiner, “Graham was joined by Republican Senators Roy Blunt of Missouri and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, as well as Republican Congressmen Doug Lamborn of Colorado – who is behind the House companion bill to the legislation – and Lee Zeldin of New York.”
Sen. Tom Cotton said, “Taxpayer dollars are no longer going to subsidize the murder of American citizens, or Israeli citizens. We’re going to do everything in our power to make this bill into a law.”
Kudos and Thank You to our elected officials who understand the threat posed by radical Islamic terror, of which “Palestinian” terror is just one part.