Netanyahu, when talking about the uptick in violence, rejected the claim, made by John Kerry, that the increased housing construction in the West Bank is the cause for the recent violence.
Netanyahu showed the numbers and said that since he has become Prime Minister there has been a decrease in construction in the areas of Judea and Samaria (for reasons that he said would be discussed at another time). According to the numbers, Under Netanyahu's recent terms (since he came back to office), there have been only 1500 housing starts per year in these areas. Under Olmert, Sharon and Barak these numbers were significantly higher. During Netanyahu's first term, in 1996, the number was at 3000. By Barak it went up to 5000, then under Sharon it was down to 1900, and under Olmert 1700. With Netanyahu pulling the last 6 or 7 years at 1500, he is building much less than his predecessors.
And this is the guy who ran on a right wing platform, who spoke about building in Judea and Samaria, who the right wing voters elected.
I have already said Netanyahu should announce this is his last term, if not be replaced now by a courageous politician willing to take down the government. His right wing voters should not accept these numbers. The right wing keeps putting Netanyahu back in power just to be disappointed by him.
------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel
------------------------------------------------------
Talks tough in public but goes limp in the follow-through. Must be a Republican!
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have a hawk in public and a dove in private, than the other way around.
ReplyDelete