[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:
Some observations on "I will sign a permanent agreement only if it includes
Israel's remaining in the Jordan Valley."
#1. Is this IDF forces in the Jordan Valley or also Israeli communities?
#2. The agreement is "permanent" - is Israel's remaining in the Jordan
Valley also "permanent"?
#3. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu should certainly know that it has
been demonstrated in Israel's short modern history that when IDF forces are
deployed in a location without a civilian presence that circumstances can
readily develop that lead to the retreat of those forces. I personally
spoke with ministers in Ariel Sharon's cabinet literally weeks before the
retreat from the Gaza Strip and they were certain that the IDF would remain
deployed on the Philadelphi Corridor. They were pulled with the retreat.
We also know that no matter what is written in a peace treaty solemnly
signed on the White House lawn that creates a sovereign Palestinian state
that once established that state will continue to exist even if it rips the
agreement to shreds.
Simply put: an agreement that provides for the deployment of IDF forces in
the Jordan Valley without the presence of Israeli communities sets the scene
for a future hasty retreat.
Three possibilities:
#1. PM Netanyahu knows this and so would never propose a deal that does not
have civilians in the Jordan Valley.
#2. PM Netanyahu knows this but will propose a deal that does not have
civilians in the Jordan Valley because he knows that the deal won't go
through anyway.
#3. PM Netanyahu ignores this and genuinely embraces a deal that does not
have civilians in the Jordan Valley.
If the news reports are correct - put your money on #2. ]
PM Netanyahu's Remarks to the Likud Knesset Faction
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks today (Monday),
30.1.12, to the Likud Knesset faction:
"I asked for changes in the housing program criteria. The goal is to enable
young couples to realize the Israeli dream of buying an apartment. I asked
the military service component be significantly increased and indeed, at my
request and that of Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, it was increased by 50%
from 20 points to 30 points. There are claims to the effect that the plan
discriminates against couples in which both partners work. This is simply
not true. Two-thirds of the apartments are designated for couples in which
both partners work. The final one-third could be for couples in which one
partner works and this happens, by the way, not only in the ultra-orthodox
sector but among weaker groups and these people deserve the opportunity to
buy an apartment. But the improved military service criterion applies to
all 100%. There is another item that I asked to be put in and it was, and
it is perhaps the most important, namely where the apartments will be built.
This determines more than any other factor. I asked that a committee be
established on which will sit Prime Minister's Office Director-General Harel
Locker and others in order to ensure that the apartments will be built in an
equal manner throughout the country, in order to give an equal opportunity
to all sectors of the population. I think that this is a major improvement
and I was pleased to hear the positive reaction of my friend, Prof.
Trajtenberg.
I would like to say to our reservist friends, and we all served in the IDF,
and these are the people that the State is committed to: We know that there
must be a better and more just sharing of the burden. In contrast to
previous governments, that automatically extended the Tal Law, I decided to
do things differently. I said that we would submit it to the Knesset. We
must bring about a better and more just solution but we must not split and
tear apart this people. We have six months to do this. I will also submit
the Government's proposal to the Knesset.
Lastly, I would like to discuss the Jordan Valley
http://www.jordanvalley.org.il/?categoryId=38842 . I heard the reports. I
would like to say what I will do. This depends on me. I will sign a
permanent agreement only if it includes Israel's remaining in the Jordan
Valley. Nobody can ensure this but us. I think that we are acting
responsibly and prudently and are seeing to the security of the State of
Israel. This requires Israel to remain in the Jordan Valley."
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