MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh) says he has begun to work to coalesce a nationalist-camp opposition, based on Likud, religious and hareidi-religious MKs, to stand against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s freeze on construction in Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem.
“I plan to dedicate the coming months towards the creation of a bloc,” Katz said Sunday, “comprised of the religious and hareidi parties, together with as many loyal Likud ministers and MKs as possible. The goal is to build a large opposition to Binyamin Netanyahu from within the coalition.”
Emphasis on Hareidim
“The emphasis will be placed on the hareidi public,” Katz said, “which has been very hurt from Netanyahu’s decision to cave in to Obama and Sarkozy.”
Katz has often criticized the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties, “which remain in the coalition and allow Netanyahu to rule, even though their constituents are crying out for inexpensive housing in places like Beitar Illit, Modiin Illit, and elsewhere... Unlike the nationalist-religious public, whose young couples often move into caravans, hareidi newly-weds move into new apartments - and there are none to be had."
The National Union is working on Likud members as well, organizing teams of prominent figures, including former generals, writers, and others, to visit Likud chapters around the country. The goal is to arouse the latent support for the Land of Israel that Likud members are famous for and have them act against Netanyahu’s turnabout from the positions he took during the election campaign.
Six Months
“I estimate that it will take about a half-year until everyone realizes the need to replace Netanyahu as Likud head and Prime Minister,” Katz says.
Yesha Council Wants Meeting with Netanyahu
Meanwhile, the Yesha Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria has asked for an “urgent meeting” with Netanyahu. In a letter to Netanyahu, the Council writes of a “worrisome erosion in Israel’s position on construction, such as a ‘temporary’ freeze, building only in built-up areas, or in blocs, or for natural growth, etc. Defense Minister Barak even went so far as to speak openly about holding off on new projects, and even said that your own position is not far from a total cessation on new construction.”
“We are in the midst of a total freeze, for all intents and purposes,” the Council’s letter states. “Not one new construction project has been approved in Judea and Samaria for several months. The government that you head declared clearly that it would put Jewish settlement back on the path of growth and development. This is the promise of most of the parties in your government, as well as your personal promise.”
Defense Minister Ehud Barak is set to meet with US envoy George Mitchell in London on Sunday. Israel has not yet formally agreed to a construction freeze, temporary or otherwise, but Barak is reported to be planning to tell him Israel’s conditions for such a freeze. If the US provides guarantees and the Arab nations begin normalizing relations with Israel, Barak will agree to a construction freeze, the reports say.
The Yesha Council asks that Netanyahu schedule the desired meeting with it “before Mitchell arrives in Israel. Our people work on this matter day in and day out, are expert in the details, and lead the large Yesha public. A meeting to discuss the future of the Yesha settlement enterprise is crucial.”