Sovereignty Conference now on YouTube

11 Comments / 11 Comments

1. B”H

   Dear Ted,
   I attended the Sovereignty Conference which I thought was excellent but I must disagree with your praise for Adv Baker as he said during his talk that he helped draft the “Oslo Accords” at which point I removed my headphones in disbelief!

2. There is such an alliance now. Prominent activists include Ettinger, Hotovely, Eldad, most Likud MKs to be, Glick. The list is very long and they all advance the cause in their own way. This conference is the center of it.
   Next year the conferenced is to be held in Jerusalem’s largest convention centre for two reasons:
   1. Senior Cabinet Ministers and the like are more likely to attend or speak if the event is large enough and prestigious enough.
   2. They expect to double the audience again.

3. @ Ted Belman:
   THANK YOU, TED, for your prompt analysis. The situation is very complex, I know, and lots of people have been engaged in heroic efforts to defend the land, in spite of such limited legal and political resources.

   – “a majority of Israelis don’t support it (sovereignty) so far as I know”
   The Left – the same Left that welcomes African and Arab infiltrators – has been busy creating a climate of fear of Yesha Arab demographics. This manipulation must be aggressively denounced and debunked with real population numbers and legal alternatives to citizenship.

   Israel’s left draws on demographic doomsday in effort to mobilize voters. http://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-left-draws-on-demographic-doomsday-in-effort-to-mobilize-voters/

   – I fervently believe that if there was a new pro-sovereignty organization with a growing number of reputable leaders in its membership, it would act as a catalyst to convince more Jews that sovereignty is possible, desirable, and that it can be done without granting citizenship to Arabs. ~~~~~ People need to visualize that reality to believe it. So many mass movements have started with just a small group. Much of it is about a program, strategy, perseverance, enthusiasm and energy. ~~~~~ It could start with an alliance between Women in Green and Regavim, for example, joined by individuals who now speak eloquently for sovereignty but who don’t have enough influence on their own. A large and impressive membership would also protect them against pressure from the usual suspects. ~~~~~ I really hope that the public and grassroots leaders will become increasingly organized and unified, as your authorities become more brazen in their support for an Arab state or for another disengagement.

4. @ drjb:

   Doc, I tend to agree with you and am also questioning Bennett’s positions especially stating that no matter what he would recommend BB for putting together the coalition. Even this stage should be negotiated and concessions extracted. I hope Oztma surprises and not only passes hurdle but exceeds it by several seats. Eldad has already stated that their recommendation is not a given and they have no expectations of being included in a coalition but their recommendation might be important. I am realistic enough to admit whether they get 2 or 5 seats they will not alter the decisions of BB and his Lemmings. Understand that except for Feiglin the Likud list is the same as the outgoing members and they didn’t stop BB in anything he did in the last 4 years and they had ample reason to oppose him if for nothing else he went against the likud platform.

   In the meantime we have a serious economic problem where BB has spent too much and revenues decreased to create something like like a 50 billion NIS deficit. So austerity measures are coming and as usual will be assessed against the poor and middle income groups here. That in a normal country announced a week ahead of elections should bury the Likud but it won’t because e ain’t normal. BB pushed for a 2 year budget to reduce the yearly political battles of the budget but the budget did not allow for downturns in economic activity due to European and American economic downturns which effect us here as well. That’s why he called elections because the measures he will implement will be painful and Shas opposed it. I also find it curious that the date of our election is almost the same as Obama’s inauguration.

   As long as all parties to the left of Likud will support the piece Process Even if Bennett leaves the government he couldn’t stop BB. Only a majority in the Likud can do that and only by replacing BB by the central comittee with another Likudnk. The chances of that happening according to Jimmy The Greek is about the same as an earth quake dividing America into 2 continents.

5. @ drjb:

   Doc, I tend to agree with you and am also questioning Bennett’s positions especially stating that no matter what he would recommend BB for putting together the coalition. Even this stage should be negotiated and concessions extracted. I hope Oztma surprises and not only passes hurdle but exceeds it by several seats. Eldad has already stated that their recommendation is not a given and they have no expectations of being included in a coalition but their recommendation might be important. I am realistic enough to admit whether they get 2 or 5 seats they will not alter the decisions of BB and his Lemmings. Understand that except for Feiglin the Likud list is the same as the outgoing members and they didn’t stop BB in anything he did in the last 4 years and they had ample reason to oppose him if for nothing else he went against the likud platform.

   In the meantime we have a serious economic problem where BB has spent too much and revenues decreased to create something like like a 50 billion NIS deficit. So austerity measures are coming and as usual will be assessed against the poor and middle income groups here. That in a normal country announced a week ahead of elections should bury the Likud but it won’t because e ain’t normal. BB pushed for a 2 year budget to reduce the yearly political battles of the budget but the budget did not allow for downturns in economic activity due to European and American economic downturns which effect us here as well. That’s why he called elections because the measures he will implement will be painful and Shas opposed it. I also find it curious that the date of our election is almost the same as Obama’s inauguration.

   As long as all parties to the left of Likud will support the piece Process Even if Bennett leaves the government he couldn’t stop BB. Only a majority in the Likud can do that and only by replacing BB by the central comittee with another Likudnk. The chances of that happening according to Jimmy The Greek is about the same as an earth quake dividing America into 2 continents.

   @ Ted Belman:

   Some form of annexation should be included in all polls and if the current buyers of polls refuse to include some form of annexation option then the polls should be purchased independently and distributed to all media outlets and distributed as widely as possible on you-tube and other social networking outlets.

   The public is never given the option of declaring for extending the Law to the territories or outright annexation just if we support a 2 state solution , yes or no! In my opinion such polls are not reflective of popular sentiment because they are too narrow in scope.

   In such polls, questions re: Arabs in Israel and Y&S should also be framed and inserted in the same polls.

   I am certainly not opposed to plating trees or building shacks on hill tops but realistically they are a waste of time energy and expense and are welcomed by the governmet because they are a distraction. Effort instead should be devoted to influencing our politicians and the general public that extending Israeli sovereignty is reasonable and viable and what is needed are strong leaders willing to implement it. To this effect there should be to the extent possible one message and serious concrete answers to all objections responded to with one voice and not as presently a cacophony of responses and ideas.

   Adults (not youngsters); with popular public figures, should be recruited and enlisted in the effort to attach legitimacy to the idea. They should be led not by religious leaders but identifiable secular ones in order to get maximum public support.

   One method that seems to be effective is to get your message banned by the courts. Then publish them on all social media and YouTube and they might go viral so they should also be professionally created. Use to media but not with mixed messaging.

6. @ Canadian Otter:
   I attended all three conferences. Each year, the audience doubles. Close to 1000 people attended this conference. The leadership recognizes that it must convince more of the public on the need for extending sovereignty and it is working on that. i don’t recall what the latest polls say about where the people stand on this but a majority of Israelis don’t support it so far as I know. But that shouldn’t matter. What matters is to get the new coalition to actively support it. The government can advance it by
   1. extending Israeli law to all the settlements or at least the blocs,
   2. endorse the Levy Report or
   3. Build with abandon.
   The two Cabinet Ministers from Likud who spoke supported the concept but argued it should proceed in small steps. I believe they got permission to attend and say these things. Everybody else there was not so cautious.

   Ragavim oppose the Arabs before the High Court because the government doesn’t. They are worthy of support. Women in Green plant olive trees every week to reclaim the land and they are opposed by the Government which even uprooted their trees. They have gone to the courts over the matter. These are two examples of independant action.

   Also their is a Knesset caucus dedicated to annexation. They keep pushing the government on these matters. Now that most Likud MK’s support such action together with Bennett’s party, if it is asked to join the coalition, will act to constrain the lean to the left by Netanyahu. None of the responsible leaders of this movement are contemplating anarchy.

7. DEAR TED,

   I have a question about the conference that also relates to an item you just posted about the EU gearing up for another assault on Israel’s dignity and sovereignty.

   My question is whether the main participants at the Sovereignty Conference expressed any serious inclination for taking the initiative and FORMALLY organizing to defend Israel’s integrity – independently from the submissive government.

   The next election can bring minor positive changes in policy, at best. But things can also get worse, considering how PM Netanyahu made such a defiant statement in favor of Two States BEFORE the election.

   Today’s column, “EU working on new Mideast Peace Plan” elicited several talkbacks suggesting a more active role for the Jews of Israel in reaction to foreign meddling and bullying.

   So, are grassroots leaders still waiting for a more patriotic government, or have they had enough and are ready to create a strong popular organization NOW as the only way to stop authorities from herding Israelis onto the US-EU train headed for partition?

8. @ yamit82:
   Hi Yamit,
   I think you are right. Otzma L’Israel sounds right. Simple and coherent message.
   For the life of me, I can’t understand Bennett. His insistence to constantly declare that he will support Bibi no matter what, opens him up for criticism when Bibi makes policy declarations that are opposed to Bennett’s platform. Bennett sounds like a fool when he tries to juggle that contradiction. If he’s going to support Bibi no matter what, then why vote Bayt, just vote Likud. In fact, by doing so, he is corroborating Feiglin’s claim that you have to aim for the Likud leadership, because that’s where it all happens.
   When he’s pressed about his plan to annex Area C, again he is not decisive, he wavers, starts talking about the economy, and when pressed and told, “if Bibi doesn’t support your plan, will you still support Bibi? he says yes”!!! Please explain that one to me!
   I’m growing increasingly concerned that Bibi will form a coalition with the Left and all but marginalize Bennett.
   With all due respect to Bennett, whom I like, and Eldad, whom I really like, Feiglin may be proven right. The Likud is where the ballgame is at.
   Sovereignty Conference????? Is this a joke???? Feiglin, Eldad and others said Israel needs to assert its authority WITHIN Israel first before it can aim for sovereignty in YS.
   Who are we kidding???

9. Police arrest Arabs in Jerusalem
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LujUrNuo2xk

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HmnHkDX_IVQ

    Arabs attack Jews in Jerusalem

11. Ben Ari: Video Shows We are Occupied Ones
    MK Michael Ben Ari says video of humiliation at Damascus Gate shows current situation throughout Israel.
    By Gil Ronen

    “This is not 1930s Europe,” he wrote. “This is from here, in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.

    “Arab marauders, attacking Jews and humiliating them, with the self-confidence that no one will stop them.

    “It does not just occur in Jerusalem. It turns out that the ones under occupation are us. In the Galilee, the Negev, Haifa, Afula, and Tel Aviv as well.”

    “This must be stopped,” he added. “We must bring back power to Israel.”

    “Power to Israel,” in Hebrew, is the name of MK Ben Ari’s Knesset list – Otzma Leyisrael. Polls show the list, which is headed by MK Aryeh Eldad along with Ben Ari, possibly entering the next Knesset.

    The disturbing video shows a group of about 20 Arabs harassing and humiliating two Hareidi-religious Jews, kicking them and throwing snowballs in their faces at close range. Twice in the 75-second video, one of the Jews is seen slipping and falling. At another point, an attacker removes the hat of one of the victims.

    The video has apparently not been featured at all on Israel’s television channels 1 and 2, which seem to only play up incidents in which Jews attack Arabs. It did appear on the Channel 10 news website, as part of a report about “violent snow fights between Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem.”

    An Arabic-language website features additional pictures of similar attacks, including the humiliation of a Border Policeman.
    http://beganaden.blogspot.co.il/2013/01/blog-post_12.html

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    ***Before dealing with sovereignty or autonomy in Y&S, Israeli sovereignty must be enforced in all of pre-67′ Israel first. We are slowly losing it and BB and the Likud are to blame.***