PM Netanyahu
PM NetanyahuIsrael news photo

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sums up his first year in office, giving himself and his government good grades.

Speaking Wednesday afternoon before a packed hall of reporters, Netanyahu said that his government had made 1,500 decisions in the past year, dealing with economics, security, society and other matters. “The decisions revolved around closing gaps, advancing education, deepening tradition, and more,” he said.

Freeze Question - Frozen

Following Netanyahu’s remarks, he responded to reporters’ questions – none of which concerned the construction freeze. Arutz-7’s Hizky Ezra, who was present, says he believes this was done purposely: “Nir Hefetz, head of the Hasbarah (advocacy) wing in the Prime Minister’s Bureau, knew that I wanted to ask about the construction freeze and if Netanyahu still intended to unfreeze it at the end of September – but he prevented me from asking it, while continuing to signal to me that my turn to ask was about to arise. I’m still waiting.”

Economics

Economically, “we have moved to positive overall growth in the past quarter,” Netanyahu said. “Our policies have brought us out of the crisis and braked the downward plunge. Israel’s economy is now among the world’s leaders.”

Netanyahu said the government plans to implement its plan to reduce taxes, and has already increased child allowances “while not affecting the desire to go out and work… We have already given a billion shekels to the elderly.”

Iran

Netanyahu said that Israel is working on the international front to strengthen the sanctions against Iran, “but I am doubtful that this will be enough to stop Iran’s nuclear program.” He explained that he plans to attend the conference in the United States against what he called "nuclear terrorism" [see video below].

Ketzaleh: Netanyahu Forgot Three 'Accomplishments'

MK Yaakov Katz, head of the National Union party, responded sharply as well: “Netanyahu talked about his accomplishments, but concealed from the people three grave things that his government did:



1) By announcing ‘two states for two nations,’ he gave over the heartland of the Land of Israel to foreign rule.

2) He declared a racist decree forbidding only Jews to build houses, something that was done before only by enemies of the Jewish people in the Exile.

3) He gave a blanket order to the Housing Minister not to build in the Jerusalem neighborhoods that were liberated in the Six Day War.



Therefore, all his talk about a drop in apartment prices are mere ‘vanity and vexation of spirit'" [a Hebrew idiom from Ecclesiastes meaning inanities].

Transportation

Netanyahu has often expressed pride in the “bringing near” of the peripheral areas to central Israel by virtue of transportation changes, such as the extension of north-south Highway 6 northwards – and today was no exception. “I don’t take credit for decisions that were made by previous governments,” the Prime Minister said, “but we did allocate the funding for these needs.”



On the Security Front

Regarding security, the Prime Minister said, “We have chosen a different modus operandum than previous governments, based chiefly on the idea of responding sharply to any and all shooting from the other side, and on taking the initiative as well… We have thwarted attempts to smuggle arms to Hizbullah.”

Kadima on the Attack

The Kadima party, which is still waiting for what its leaders consider a “suitable offer” from Netanyahu to join the government, had sharp words of criticism for him: “Netanyahu lives in Bibiland [his nickname is Bibi – ed.] and not in Israel… His 1,500 decisions amount to one big nothing… No presentation or eye-rolling can hide the fact that  in one year, Netanyahu has managed to bring about a total collapse in Israel’s international standing, its isolation in the family of nations, and to a grave split with the United States.”

Foreign Workers

Netanyahu said that his government is working to reduce the number of foreign workers in Israel. “This struggle is not simple,” he said. The cities of Tel Aviv, Arad and Dimona have been deluged with thousands of foreign workers in recent years.