The nationalist camp in Israel, hoping that Netanyahu will not make the same mistakes he and Ariel Sharon made in previous terms in office, are sending messages of encouragement, hours before Netanyahu’s dramatic speech at Bar Ilan University.
During the weekly Sunday-morning Cabinet meeting, dozens of supporters held signs outside the Prime Minister’s Office. Their signs read, “We Love Israel,” “Strengthening Netanyahu,” and “Israel Won’t Cave In.”
Speaking from the site, some of the activists expressed “cautious optimism” that Netanyahu will reserve Israel’s right to continue to build in Judea and Samaria, and will not agree to a Palestinian state straddling Israel from both east and west.
Ben-Gvir: "Netanyahu, Remember Obama"
Itamar Ben-Gvir, a long-time activist who now serves as MK Dr. Michael Ben-Ari’s parliamentary aide, said on Sunday morning, “We hope that as Netanyahu speaks, he will remember that Obama is a pro-Arab president who has no interest in Israel’s interests."
Minister Yishai: Both Sides Now
Interior Minister Eli Yishai said, before entering the weekly Cabinet meeting, that he is “confident Netanyahu will not abandon Israel’s vital interests, nor will he lead to a clash with the Obama Administration.” Obama said in his own major speech ten days ago that “American no longer accepts continued settlements as legitimate” – while Netanyahu is expected to insist on continued Jewish development in Judea and Samaria at a rate consistent – at least - with natural growth requirements.
Marzel: Outpost Destruction is Just a Prelude
Baruch Marzel of Hevron, head of the Jewish Front movement, commented bitterly on the overnight destruction of a Jewish outpost near Kokhav Yaakov in the Binyamin region. Speaking after security forces razed two wooden sukkah-like booths at the site for the second time in a week, Marzel said he fears the incident “is just a prelude to Netanyahu’s cave-in to the Americans. Netanyahu must remember that he was elected by Israel’s citizens, and is not an appointee of Barack Obama.”
Barak: Lower Expectations
Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who met with Netanyahu about the speech last week, told Haaretz on Sunday, “The speech will be very cautious and vague. Expectations should be lowered.”
Eldad Threatens
Opposition MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) says his party will work to topple Netanyahu if he agrees, after years of opposition to a Palestinian state, to change his mind. However, no Likud MKs have yet come out directly and said they would form a “rebel” camp in such a scenario.