Naftali Bennett, the head of the the settlements party Jewish Home rejects negotiations with the Palestinians and says he will allow the Israeli government to collapse if necessary. A decision on whether talks will proceed is expected this week.
The man who wants to test his power against Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu, Israel’s popular “King Bibi,” works in a surprisingly understated, tube-shaped office with three telephones ringing off the hook. The only thing that stands out is a picture on the wall. Covered in glass, it shows an embroidered figure of a woman wearing an apron dress.
Economics Minister Naftali Bennett, 42, is keen to show that he doesn’t hold much regard for the daily grind of political life and that if it weren’t for the azure silhouette of his great aunt Zila embroidered in yarn, he might instead still be enjoying his success as an entrepreneur in the coastal city of Raanana. His mother’s cousin was Russian and shared the fate of most members of Bennett’s family — who were murdered by Stalin’s henchmen because of their Jewish heritage. Her embroidered likeness hanging behind his desk is a daily reminder and incentive for Bennett to make sure it is a fate that his own children never share.
Great Aunt Zila is also part of the reason Bennett, who sees himself as a businessman through and through, has now become a politician. A booming software business in Israel and the United States no longer contented him after a life-changing deployment in the 2006 Lebanon war. At the time, he had just become a first-time father and asked himself, “What is it that these Hezbollah guys actually want?” In Lebanon, he says he learned “they all still have a single goal in mind — to kills us.”
A Singular Mission
Since then, Bennett has had an almost singular mission. When he describes it, he sounds neither quixotic nor pathetic. His voice instead betrays his deep determination to get the job done. “My task is to keep Judaism alive, to make it stronger and to fight its enemies,” the economics minister says, adding that he will dedicate his “life to Israel’s survival.”
As part of his mission, though, he now risks a major rift within Israel’s coalition government. The Israeli daily Haaretz recently wrote that the politician is currently doing more to determine the country’s fate than any other.
The former businessman is the head of the nationalist-religious Jewish Home, a party that promotes settlement policies, and one of the most vocal opponents of any development even remotely connected to the “peace process”. Since US Secretary of State John Kerry convinced the Israelis and Palestinians to begin negotiating with each other again, Bennett has been sparring with anyone who endorses the talks.
Among those he has taken to task are Prime Minister Netanyahu, whom he accuses of weakness. But he has also targeted a man who used to be an ally, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, who in an unexpected bout of grandiosity, expressly praised Kerry’s efforts. Meanwhile, the alliance with Finance Minister Jair Lapid, the former cabinet star and a man Bennett has referred to as his “brother,” has also come undone as a result of seemingly irreconcilable views about the peace process.
It is difficult to see how the Israeli political process could become this polarized considering the relative dearth of recent developments.
The talks moderated by Kerry already mark the 10th attempt to negotiate a peaceful coexistence between the Israelis and the Palestinians. And there hasn’t been anything that could be described as direct talks since December. Both sides are currently only speaking to Kerry or the chief American negotiator Martin Indyk.
A decision is expected this week on whether even these mini-talks should be discontinued as well. If Israel doesn’t release the final group of Palestinian prisoners by this Saturday, the Palestinians say they will withdraw. The release of 104 Palestinians who were arrested prior to 1993’s Oslo Accords was a condition for the resumption of negotiations — a provision Netanyahu agreed to under pressure from the United States.
Bennett, however, is insisting that the prisoners stay behind bars. “We aren’t going to allow murderers and terrorists to walk again,” he says, speaking in his office. He’s also threatening to allow the government to collapse over the issue.
The minister complains that the world is treating Israel unfairly. He says that if the international community continues to raise pressure on his country over the Jewish settlements in the West Bank, over the Palestinian prisoners and over the still to be negotiated withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from a future Palestinian state, he is convinced it will be picking on the wrong side.
‘You Can’t Occupy Your Own Land’
Bennett doesn’t even attempt to cloak his intransigent position in the language of diplomacy. Referring to the Palestinian West Bank by its biblical name, Bennett says “the Jewish heartland, Judea and Samaria,” can never be ceded to “the enemies, the Arabs”. He says the land has belonged to the Jews for more than 3,000 years and that those who speak of an Israeli occupying force do not understand history. “You can’t occupy your own land,” Bennett says, with audible contempt for anyone who doesn’t share his view.
The party boss and his followers are fundamentally opposed to any kind of agreement with the Palestinians. Bennett says that compromise would be “suicide”. His answer to the problem? “We have to remain strong.”
Jewish Home is the third strongest party in Israel’s government coalition, and whenever Netanyahu offers ideas on a future, peaceful coexistence of two sovereign states that are more concrete than Bennett and his supporters are prepared to handle, it doesn’t take long before the prime minister hears the scorn of his former chief of staff.
Although Bennett has since built up a large support base, determined opponents of the peace process can also be found within Netanyahu’s Likud party.
Bennett, though, is the first to have succeeded in anchoring nationalist-religious ideology in core government ministries. His views have broad support in a Netanyahu cabinet in which nearly half the ministers live on the other side of the Green Line — meaning in Palestinian territories.
“I know that my opinion isn’t very popular abroad,” says Bennett, but he doesn’t want to bend either, given that voter support came as a result of his positions.
Naftali Bennett’s advantage is that he has never come across as the kind of rabid politician blinded by ideology who might seem more intent to blow up the Temple Mount together with the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque than to seek peace. Instead, when you talk to him, he comes across as funny, entertaining and quick-witted.
Bennett Has Time on His Side
He’s also well-aware that time is on his side. Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics has calculated that 2013 was a record year for the settlements movement. Foundation stones were laid for more than twice as many Jewish buildings located on Palestinian territory than in 2012.
Of course, there’s another man who is partly responsible for that trend — settlements leader Uri Ariel, whose day job, conveniently, is that of being Israel’s Housing Minister. In his capacity as a private citizen, Ariel is known for organizing mass prayer sessions against peace negotiations at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. The Knesset recently added a provision to the constitution at the initiative of Jewish Home stipulating that any future agreement with the Palestinians would have to be approved in a nationwide referendum.
Bennett says that the Jewish people are his greatest allies, and polls back that up. Three-quarters of Israelis surveyed share his view that the Palestinians are “not partners for peace;” 86 percent reject the release of further prisoners. Two-thirds of Israelis still say they believe in a two-state solution, but almost the same number oppose withdrawal from the West Bank.
For his part, Bennett feels that Israel’s current unyielding position is a service to the country he has provided. He may not be running the show, but he is certainly setting the agenda for parts of it. He argues that Netanyahu doesn’t have free hand to just anything Kerry wants, because “I’ve also got a hand on the steering wheel.”
As long as he has a say, Bennett insists he will never permit the existence of a Palestinian West Bank under international control — not through a NATO force and most certainly not through a United Nations contingent. He says history has taught him that Israel and Israel alone must ensure its security. “We’ve had bad luck anytime we have relied on anyone else,” he says.
mar55 Said:
Tar and feather
Of course Der Spiegel lies. Here is a summary of construction of homes in Jewish Communities in Israel’s Central Highlands region. The source is ‘Obama’s Settlement Construction Lie’ posted at Commentary by Evelyn Gordon on March 4, 2014.
“.. as a simple glance at the annual data published by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reveals, there has been less settlement construction during Benjamin Netanyahu’s five years as Israeli premier (2009-13) than under any of his recent predecessors.
During those five years, housing starts in the settlements averaged 1,443 a year. That’s less than the 1,702 a year they averaged under Ehud Olmert in 2006-08, who is nevertheless internationally acclaimed as a peacemaker (having made the Palestinians an offer so generous that then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice couldn’t believe she was hearing it). It’s also less than the 1,652 per year they averaged under Ariel Sharon in 2001-05, who is similarly lauded internationally as a peacemaker (for having left Gaza); the fact that even Sharon out-built Netanyahu is particularly remarkable, because his term coincided with the second intifada, when demand for housing in the settlements plummeted. And it’s far less than under Ehud Barak, who is also internationally acclaimed as a peacemaker (for his generous offer at Camp David in 2000): One single year under Barak, 2000, produced more housing starts in the settlements (4,683) than the entire first four years of Netanyahu’s term (4,679).
It’s true that settlement construction more than doubled last year; otherwise, Netanyahu’s average would have been even lower. But it doubled from such a low base that the absolute number of housing starts, 2,534, is not only far less than Barak’s record one-year high; it’s only slightly larger than the 1995 total of 2,430 – when the prime minister was Yitzhak Rabin, signatory of the Oslo Accords and patron saint of the peace process. In previous years, housing starts under Netanyahu were only a third to a half of those in 1995.”
@ yamit82:
I hope the Likud and Liberman decides to impeach the BB the traitor. As Yidvocate and Samuel were saying before. I have always believe the land of Israel is not for the State of Israel, or BB or anyone to give or partition. Now more than ever with the spread of the Muslim cancer all over the world. If anything we should take back Gaza and annex all the land which belongs to Israel. Arnold Harris also and all in this forum feel the same way. To even think about parting with even a sliver of our land makes me sick. Israel will have to fight and all the prophecies will be fulfilled.
Thank you for the links you so thoughtfully put in this forum. I read them, file them and some of them send to my son in law. I asked him if he did mind and he does not object. It is progress. I have some time now. I’ll explain latter.
@ mar55:
Have you ever met a real cowboy Darlin, Tx would charm right out your knickers. There is a program on TV called “The Amazing Race”. Two of the contestants are a couple of Okie cowboys. They are real working cowpokes. So far the have charmed the Ladies all over SE Asia. They are. as we say, ” cute as a little bug’s ear”.
@ honeybee:
Perhaps we shouldd ask him. Do you think maybe…a cow?
@ mar55:
Can he ride Brahma bulls?????? @ yamit82:
Yidvocate Said:
Fully agreed! Well said!!!!!!
bernard ross Said:
Shurat Ha din should be highly commended for the work it has undertaken on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people.
I wish that Jewish billionaires would fund orgs like Shurat Ha din instead of spending hundreds of millions on political parties.
Re: Shurat Ha din They’ve won some big judgements that if collected should provide them with substantial fees. If they were noncollectable then what is their real value?
What Jewish billionaires? They are all totally assimilated and most give little to nothing to any Jewish or Israeli causes. That said, most are anti-Israel.
bernard ross Said:
They’ve won some big judgements that if collected should provide them with substantial fees. If they were noncollectable then what is their real value?
What Jewish billionaires? They are all totally assimilated and most give little to nothing to any Jewish or Israeli causes. That said, most are anti-Israel.
mar55 Said:
Bennett was elected for one purpose and that was to stop a 2 state agreement. Looking at our political map I don’t think he has the political power to stop it if BB goes through with it. With only 12 seats in the Knesset out of 120, he and his party do not have the political numbers to stop it.
If Bennett quits the government BB potentially can replace Bennett and his 11 members with any combination of Shas UTJ and Labor. Lapid will bite the bullet as his poll numbers are too low to risk leaving the government over the religious parties entering the coalition, he will find some justification to stay like …(for Peace…)
Who does have the power to stop BB are roughly 2/3’s of the Likud and at least a third of Lieberman’s party who are against such an agreement. Theoretically BB can be impeached and replaced even without New elections by an internal Likud central committee party vote.
Bennett’s record today is mixed he lost big in the election for Chief Rabbis which was a defeat for the religious Zionists to the Haredim. He lost on the conversions vote. Matter of fact I’m not aware of any legislative or administrative initiatives he can claim as significant from a national perspective and even from a narrow sectarian perspective, except pushing for increased housing starts in Y&S. Yet that very fact has angered and alienated many in Israel who can’t afford housing in Israel partially due to increased building in Y&S where they don’t want to live. There is a lot of resentment all over the country because housing bubble has priced all dwellings too expensive for the majority of those who need them.
His real political test is still ahead of him, so we’ll see.
@ AbbaGuutuu:
Well said Abba!
Besides subliminally at least suggesting that Israel had no right to imprison them in the first place, it tells the Arab enemy that there is no price to pay for their atrocities. It encourages them to join the ranks of the terrorist suggesting the world is on their side. It demoralizes the IDF that risk life and limb to capture these beasts. It demoralizes the entire Israeli populace and erodes it’s will to protect itself. It inevitably leads to the future murder of countless victims who will be killed at the hands of the convicted and released murders. It bolsters the popularity of the leaders of our implacable enemies. It tells the world that Jews are something less than human as their ruthless murder invites no price. It verify’s and legitimizes the anti-semites of the world that call for this thing that they would never even dream of doing in their own societies. It devalues Jewish life and erodes the legitimacy of the Jewish state.
In short there is nothing good directly or indirectly that can come of it and only much, much harm in every direction.
@ the phoenix:
He is the best!
@ the phoenix:
I really like Bennett. He has the attitude of a cowboy. Go Bennett go.
Israel needs more like Bennett.
Bennett and others who stand with him are realists who are the hope of Israel. He has definitely learned from history “that Israel and Israel alone must ensure its security”. It is good to remember what UN forces in Sinai peninsula did in 1956. The same mistake should not be repeated(be it UN or/and NATO).
Every time Israel releases Palestinian prisoners, it gives a wrong impression to the entire world as though it was “wrong” to put them in jail in the first place. Why give additional tools for propaganda to Palestinian Arabs who uses every means to discredit Israel at every turn? The world do understand that criminals should be kept in jail to serve their times. Releasing criminals won’t improve Israel’s image. It clearly shows its weaknesses. This madness should be discouraged and stopped. I know there is highest pressure against BB to agree to everything Secretary Kerry and PR. O demands. Both of them are not going to come to Israel and live. As a proud nation of valiant and gallant fighters and rich history, Israel should reject any pressure from any angle. This too shall pass but Israel shall prevail !!!
Did they just lay the foundation stone and then leave?
Was 2012 the year of the freeze whereby the next year would have to be substantially more?
Were the starts in the major settlement blocks which will be kept in any deal?
Another euroscum libel from a german newspaper.
All the internationals quote Haaretz whose editor is that insane epitome of libel and revising of facts: Gideon Levy. It is astounding that his ludicrous and false narratives are viewed by anyone. Quoting Haaretz indicates a starting propensity to libel Israel and the jews.
Shurat Ha din should be highly commended for the work it has undertaken on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. Jewish diaspora agencies and the Israeli government have failed miserably in respect to the delegitimization of the Jewish people and Israel. It is time that diaspora organizations and the Israeli government follow the lead of, or start to fund, shurat Ha Din who appears to be the SOLE organization actually working on Lawfare.
Shurat Ha Din should file and pursue this case to make an example of such despicable funding of organizations seeking to damage the Jewish people. It is important to file the case and not just get them to settle. The filth must be exposed in court.
This would also be good practice for filing against BDS detractors. Europe is the worst criminal in this regard never ceasing to libel the Jewish people or hiring assassins to do the dirty work traditionally done by them directly.
Bravo to the only serious entity achieving anything.
I wish that Jewish billionaires would fund orgs like Shurat Ha din instead of spending hundreds of millions on political parties.
@ the phoenix:
Ditto! 🙂
I LOOOOOOVE this guy!!!!!!!
And I think he has arrived pretty much within a minute or two, to midnight….