Kerry warns of boycott against Israel if peace deal not reached

If sanctions are imposed on Israel, its the fault of the US.  It created the atmosphere that expected and demanded that Israel agree to 67 lines plus swaps. The US was ably supported by the EU. Both of them were supporting the Arab League. They betrayed Israel and they alone are responsible for the BDS movement. They left Israel isolated.  Had they supported the legality of the settlements  and had they acknowledged Israel’s right to retain some of the territories as per Res 242 Israel would not be in the position she is today.

But that doesn’t leave Israel off the hook, Israel failed to assert her rights to Judea and Samaria and failed to assert that the settlements are legal.  I blame Netanyahu for this. He even suppressed Israel’s rights.  Instead he made the whole thing about our security and in the end didn’t get security or land. Ted Belman

By REUTERS, LAHAV HARKOV, JPOST

US secretary of state makes remarks at Munich Security Conference; Deputy defense minister Danon slams Kerry’s remarks saying that Israel will “not negotiate with gun to its head.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry believes Israel could face an economic boycott if the current round of peace negotiations with the Palestinians does not lead to a final deal.  Kerry made  the remarks on Saturday at  the Munich Security Conference.

“There’s an increasing de-legitimization campaign that has been building up. People are very sensitive to it. There are talk of boycotts and other kinds of things, Kerry said, referring to the possible failure of the talks.

Economy Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) reacted strongly to Kerry’s remarks.

“No nation has ever given up its land because of economic threats and we won’t either,” Bennett said.

“Only security will bring economic stability, not a terror state near Ben Gurion Airport,” he added. “We expect our friends in the world to stand by us during attempts at an anti-Semitic boycott of Israel, instead of being their megaphone.”

“Either way, we knew in the past and know today how to stand strong,” Bennett warned.

Deputy Defense Minister, Danny Danon (Likud-Beytenu), also criticized Kerry’s boycott related remarks on Saturday.

“We respect the [US] secretary of state but we will not negotiate with a gun put to our head,” Danon said.

Danon called Kerry’s words an “ultimatum”, and said that true friends do not set ultimatums.

“We will make decisions that protect Israel’s interests,” Danon added, “If we had made decisions according to every boycott threat, we would not be here today.”

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Ofir Akunis (Likud Beytenu) echoed Bennett and Danon’s criticism. “We were here before him [Kerry] and we’ll be here after him.”

“Kerry is using an aggressive policy against Israel, which is not bringing peace any closer,” Akunis added.

On the other side of the political spectrum, MK Nachman Shai (Labor) agreed with Kerry’s boycott fears and said Israel is facing an “economic tsunami” and that boycotts have “passed the point of no return.”

“Together with other sanctions, the international community is starting a joint battle to pressure Israel,” Shai stated. “Our nightmare is coming true and the government refuses to understand that things will never be the same.”

Meretz leader Zehava Gal-On also in line with Kerry’s boycott fear called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to stop settlement construction in the West Bank.

“Continuing the occupation and settlements are not acceptable anymore not just to European countries but to banks and private companies,” Gal-On stated. “Their decisions can turn Israel into an outcast country, isolated like Cuba and South Africa.”

“The prime minister needs to wake up, because the world is losing patience and the threat of boycotts on Israel grows from day to day,” Gal-On added.

Along with his boycott warning Kerry  remained hopeful that the Obama administration’s effort to broker a peace deal between could succeed.

“I’m not going to sit here and give you a measure of optimism, but I will give you a full measure of commitment,” Kerry said.

The United States hopes to complete a “framework” accord in coming weeks and will then try to negotiate a final peace deal by the end of 2014, a US official said this week, according to a participant in a briefing with American Jewish leaders.

“I am hopeful and we will keep working on it,” Kerry, who despite widespread skepticism is leading the US effort to push the two sides toward a deal, said during remarks at the Munich security conference.

“I believe in the possibility or I wouldn’t pursue this,” he said. “I don’t think we’re being quixotic … We’re working hard because the consequences of failure are unacceptable.”

US envoy Martin Indyk said the framework would address core issues in the conflict, including borders, security, refugees and Jewish settlements, a participant in the briefing said.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes pro-settler parties, has already shown signs of strain over talks on Palestinian statehood.

February 1, 2014 | 27 Comments »

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27 Comments / 27 Comments

  1. “…’No nation has ever given up its land because of economic threats and we won’t either’…” Bennett said.

    A nation wouldn’t.

    But self-serving, individual office holders,

    empowered to ‘represent’ the nation,

    might.

  2. yamit82 Said:

    You are not paying attention.

    For Kerry to support the boycott he must have the American Jews in his pocket. That is a NO NO. That is the proof that he is trying to pitch the EU alone against IL.

  3. New York Senate bill ends funding to schools linked to Israel boycott group
    “Bill sends a message – we should never ask taxpayers to support religious, ethnic, or racial discrimination.”

    The New York Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit private or public state colleges and universities from spending taxpayers funds on academic groups that support boycotting Israel, Capitol Confidential reported.

    The legislation, introduced earlier this month by Democratic Senator Jeff Klien, passed by a vote of 51-4.

    This is one of the ways to fight back. Need congress to legislate similar laws.

  4. Bullying tactics by Kerry and Europeans fuel anti-Israel terror, stir boycott threats
    DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis February 2, 2014, 3:18 PM (IST)

    Israel holds two powerful weapons for fighting back, provided it has the will to deploy and use them: the IDF has time and again proved its mettle against terrorism; and US Jewry coupled with American popular support could defeat BDS – the pro-Palestinian boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign.

    There is no need of a grand announcement to launch a counter-BDS campaign. It is enough for American Jewish or other sympathetic banks and academic institutions to quietly make the punishment for boycotters fit the crime.

    European bankers queuing in Tehran for post-sanctions business, while at the same time, boycotting Israeli banks doing business on the West Bank, should find themselves ostracized by American Jews.

    The Danish and Swedish banks which blacklisted Israel institutions should see the backs of American business partners. British manufacturers and exporters who refuse to take orders from Israeli customers should see their goods pilling up unsold in American stores.

    This battle demands clear-sighted, focused policies. What can’t work any longer is Netanyahu’s method of juggling all his options between right, left and center in the air, in the framework of a broad-based coalition government.
    Last week, the pro-settlement minister of trade and industry, Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home), condemned the prime minister’s peace policy from the right-wing perceptive. This week, Finance Minister Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) pulled the government in the opposition direction.

    Bennett scored points in the prime minister’s own camp by blasting him for proposing to leave Jewish settlements under Palestinian jurisdiction. Lapid, who is already losing ground by behaving like a political amateur, is losing more points by cutting budget allocations to West Bank settlements and warning that international boycotts will throw thousands of Israelis out of work.
    Lapid is seen as supporting US-EU intimidation efforts.

  6. honeybee Said:

    Will non-religious, liberal American Jews support the boycott???????

    Probably a lot will as well as many religious orthodox Jews as well but for different reasons.

  10. @ Ted Belman:

    It is almost irrelevant. Successive US administrations have been unwilling to educate themselves about the nature of the conflict and would also score 0 on the Kerry Quiz, but the Obama administration is definitely the most ignorant and incompetent.

  11. Eric R. Said:

    Start by threatening to destroy Vienna (Hitler’s hometown) with a nuclear weapon, and then tell them that Brussels is next

    Why not just find new markets,Texas for instance, that probably has a larger ecomonmy then the whole of Europe. Why all this pandering after Europe!!!! Boycott Europe!!!!!!!!!!!!

  12. Shy Guy Said:

    Eric R. Said:
    Israel should tell Europe that if the boycotts continue, she will attack European shipping in the Mediterranean that is coming to pick up oil.
    Um.
    No.

    You know what? You’re right. It’s not a good idea. It’s too weak.

    Start by threatening to destroy Vienna (Hitler’s hometown) with a nuclear weapon, and then tell them that Brussels is next.

  14. Eric R. Said:

    Israel should tell Europe that if the boycotts continue, she will attack European shipping in the Mediterranean that is coming to pick up oil.

    Um.

    No.

  15. Israel should tell Europe that if the boycotts continue, she will attack European shipping in the Mediterranean that is coming to pick up oil.

    A couple of downed oil tankers and oil up to $150/bbl might make the Euronazis rethink this.

  16. @ Shy Guy:

    The Israeli elite is panicked over the thought the country will go down the tubes if it doesn’t voluntarily and quickly reduce itself to a ghetto.

    If it does, Israel won’t be long for this world. And if it ever happens – Israeli Leftists who betrayed Israel would be the first to be shot, hanged and quartered by the Arabs. It would be poetic justice.

    Israel’s problem isn’t the Arabs! Its the Jews who are their own worst enemy.

  19. The whole thing is ridiculous. There is no way that the EU will boycott Israel unless it is in its interest to do so and that doesn’t depend on any peace agreement. Read Caroline Glick this week. Giving up land is a negative as far as peace and the bds movement is concerned. There is now a move to reactivate the Levy Report. Then all those who say we have to abide by international law should logically support the annexation of Judea and Samaria by Israel. Besides that would bring peace, relieve the EU and others of the obligation to support the Palestinians and leave land for French and other European Jews who will soon be forced to leave Europe because of the increasing anti-semitism

  22. @ yamit82:

    Do you receive American Sattilite TV, Tonight on “Americ Unearthed” [direct tv H@ 271] they are going to examine the Hewbrew inscriptions found in New Mexico.

  24. John Kerry Threatens Israel With Boycotts if Talks Fail
    Dept. Defense Minister responds to new boycott threats by US Sec. of State Kerry: ‘Friends don’t put ultimatums on Israel’s security.’

    Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon responded to Kerry’s threats of boycotts, saying “we respect Secretary of State Kerry but will not hold talks with a gun to our head. Friends don’t put ultimatums on the security of the state of Israel.”


    Report: Kerry is Behind European Boycotts
    Govt. sources reveal that Kerry is responsible for EU boycott threats, keeps them in check during talks, ready to escalate if talks fail.

    At the moment, Kerry is making sure the threats stay in check, but as soon as the peace talks fail he intends to open the floodgates and spur on full-blown international boycotts on Israel, reports Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio).


    Bennett: ‘Boycott Threats Won’t Move Us’
    Bennett responds to Kerry’s threats of international boycott, says ‘only security will bring financial stability, not PA terror state.’

    “I want to clarify to all those giving advice: the country has yet to be born that will give up its land because of economic threats, and we won’t either,” stated Bennett. “Only security will bring financial stability, not a terror state next to the Ben Gurion Airport.”

  27. @ yamit

    Instead he made the whole thing about our security and in the end didn’t get security or land.

    I think this would be a perfect place to repost the parable of the servant and the fish, for those who might not be familiar with it.