The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has sharp criticism of President Moshe Katzav for his statement that anyone who calls the Gaza retreat plan a danger to Israel's security should be placed behind bars.
The Zionist Organization of America, founded in 1897, is the oldest pro-Israel organization in the United States. In light of yesterday's Arutz-7 report, in which Katzav was reported as having said that there can be freedom of speech "when the speech is considered, responsible, and restrained," ZOA Pres. Morton A. Klein stated,
"The cherished principle of freedom of speech, which is enshrined in Israeli and American law, gives every citizen the right to express his opinion on whether or not unilateral retreat from Gaza is a danger to Israel's security. When I visit Israel next month, I will express my opinion that rewarding terrorists by unilateral retreating and giving Gaza to Hamas and Arafat is a danger to the security of both Israel and the United States."
The Tekumah Knesset faction - a part of the National Union party - issued a statement shortly after Katzav's Knesset speech yesterday, in which it specifically called the disengagement plan a "danger to Israel's security."
The ZOA notes that numerous prominent Israelis have said that unilaterally withdrawing from Gaza will endanger Israel's security. These include Cabinet minister Natan Sharansky, former Defense Minister Moshe Arens, IDF Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash, and his predecessor Shlomo Gazit. "Shall they all be placed in prison?" asks the ZOA.
The Zionist Organization of America, founded in 1897, is the oldest pro-Israel organization in the United States. In light of yesterday's Arutz-7 report, in which Katzav was reported as having said that there can be freedom of speech "when the speech is considered, responsible, and restrained," ZOA Pres. Morton A. Klein stated,
"The cherished principle of freedom of speech, which is enshrined in Israeli and American law, gives every citizen the right to express his opinion on whether or not unilateral retreat from Gaza is a danger to Israel's security. When I visit Israel next month, I will express my opinion that rewarding terrorists by unilateral retreating and giving Gaza to Hamas and Arafat is a danger to the security of both Israel and the United States."
The Tekumah Knesset faction - a part of the National Union party - issued a statement shortly after Katzav's Knesset speech yesterday, in which it specifically called the disengagement plan a "danger to Israel's security."
The ZOA notes that numerous prominent Israelis have said that unilaterally withdrawing from Gaza will endanger Israel's security. These include Cabinet minister Natan Sharansky, former Defense Minister Moshe Arens, IDF Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash, and his predecessor Shlomo Gazit. "Shall they all be placed in prison?" asks the ZOA.