In a remarkable video from 1978, 28 year old MIT grad Benjamin Netanyahu debates whether there should be a Palestinian state created on the West Bank and Gaza. Netanyahu argues that such a state would have but one goal: to destroy the Jewish state of Israel. He reviews the history from 1948 to 1967, when Gaza was controlled by Egypt and the West Bank by Jordan and there were no calls to end the occupation, or for national sovereignty for the Palestinians.
But one thing was similar in that period and today: terror attacks against Israeli Jews. Netanyahu went by the name of Benjamin Nitay at the time. His brother, Yonatan was an Israeli commando who led the Entebbe raid on July 4, 1976 during which he died. Netanyahu chose to use the name Nitay at MIT, where he was one year behind me, in large part for security reasons due to his brother’s notoriety and the spate of Palestinian terror attacks aimed at Israelis all over the world.
One of Netanyahu’s interrogators in the clip is Fouad Ajami, the well known political analyst.
Netanyahu’s strong defense of Israel rings as true today as it did in 1978. The clip is only ten minutes and is well worth watching.
Please send this clip to Netanyahu! It’s great!
Has fatique from years of continual pressure from US, EU, UN worn down Netanyahu’s clear thinking as shown in this clip? Has the situation really changed since 1978, as far as the legitimacy of establishing another [in addition to Jordan] Palestinian state? I don’t think so.
Why has Netanyahu’s language changed? Is he being “clever like a fox” in his diplomatic interchanges? But is that helpful, or is the clear straight talk of this 1978 clip what the world needs to hear?
Okay, yes the situation has changed since 1978. The world has had another thirty-plus years to become accustomed to the idea of the “right” of the West Bank/Gazan Palestinians to their own state. The world has had another thirty years to be brainwashed by Arab/Palestinian propaganda. And the Palestinian people themselves have raised two generations of children to believe their rights have been thwarted by the Israelis. Their children have been taught to hate the Israelis as enemies who have “stolen” their Palestinian land, which [they say] extends to the sea. So now it would not be so easy to absorb these Palestinians into Israel with a reasonable border on the east [the Jordan River].
So now what? It may be more complicated, but still– still, the clear words of Netanyahu in 1978 ring true. Even now.
Peace through strength! Surrender produces war!
Peace comes only through total defeat of the barbaric enemy. Surrender does not bring peace! Not one inch of land to savage, implacable enemies!
A Policy Based on Fear
by Naphtali Bennett
The CEO of Moetzet Yesha, the Council of Judea and Samaria, once headof PM Netanyahu’s staff, wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, which appeared in the Hebrew newpaper Makor Rishon this weekend. INN has translated his forthright appeal to his former boss for a return to a courageous policy of vision.
Mr. Prime Minister, the moment of truth has arrived. You have to decide. Do you want, G-d forbid, to enter history as the man who founded the state of Palestine at Bar Ilan University? Or as the leader who, at the last minute, found the courage to save his people from an existential disaster.
Two years of building freezes, concessions and maneuvers from a position of weakness, have resulted in an Israel facing an untenable international situation .
Every time you gave in, you thought the world would applaud and reward you with approval. Reality turned out to be quite different. Immediately after you agreed to a Palestinian state, came the demand to freeze construction and settlement. After all, why build if you are going to give it to the Palestinians? After your unprecedented declaration that you are freezing all settlement for ten months, you found yourself subject to yet another wave of pressures. Your weak stance registered in every country and resulted in ridicule for us, for our independent country which is supposed to decide its own fate. Read full article
If Bibi were to see this clip, he would pass out from embarrassment. Although shaky in his delivery, he is clear in his moral decisiveness. He understands the need for Israel to be strong and to prevent another – 23rd Arab state.
He was willing to fight in 1978 but it seems that 32 years later, he has lost the will to fight. He’s rather have a 2 state solution, giving in to those who want to destroy Israel.
I see Israel finally realizing what they must do. the Torah tells them to destroy their enemies.. they have no choice as the hate comes from all over the world.. One thing for sure, Israel will win this one too. There is so many scripture letting us all know in the nations what G-d will do to destroy us all with the earth for not blessing Israel after SHE has blessed the whole world..I believe G-d rather than man and soon HE will roar thru Zion and destory HIS enemies, the enemies of Israel and those who destroy the earth. G-d bless Israel and the Jewish people forever…they are my heart.
Do the Palestinians have a right to independent state? NO. The correct answer.
They didn’t settle there to form a state. They settled there to destroy Israel.period
Can Israel afford what the peace agreement will cost? Third temple to be built yet within the 7 yr agreement it will be defiled? Then what is left of Israel will flee with the protection of the true Elohiem God. The birth rite did not belong to Ishmael (PLO)
My comment posted here with link to same clip, stands as I wrote: See here
See comment #11 Netanyahu is toughening up