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This week, Netayahu asked for a two week extension from the president in order to assemble a more unified government.
 
Following 28 days of negotiations with the different parties, Likud Party chairman, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu approached president Peres and requested an extension. In a short meeting between the two, Mr. Netanyahu made it clear that he acknowledges the challenges Israel is facing and that he believes it would be best served with a broad coalition in government.
 
“I could have presented a government on Sunday” Netanyahu said to president Peres, “yet, I have decided to request an extension in presenting the new government in order to try and do whatever it takes to craete a unity government as I promised to the people of Israel during the elections”.
 
In addition, Mr. Netanyahu said that since the elections he has had meetings with security officials and ministry of the treasury personnel, in which he was urged to attempt a broad unity government in the interest of Israel’s political and economic security.
 
In response, president Peres has granted the request. He also said that he shares the same thoughts and feelings of the importance of a wide government, and expressed his appreciation for Netanyahu’s efforts.

translated by: Eitan Behar

On Benjamin Netanyahu and top level Likud members’ tour of the Mount of Olives and the City of David, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of a united Jerusalem, its connection to the Jewish people in the land of Zion, and his own personal connection. On top of the Mount of Olives Netanyahu stated: “Here, behind me, my grandmother and grandfather, of blessed memory, are buried. On this mountain, Menachem Begin, of blessed memory, is buried. This place means a lot to me and to my friends. We didn’t come here to divide it, we didn’t reach Jerusalem in order to give it back,” he announced.

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Netanyahu opened his address at the 6th Annual Jerusalem Conference  by emphasizing the importance and even more, the obligation to keep Jerusalem a united city, an obligation that is historical but also strategic and security-mandated..

“In this hotel, there are mingled feelings of joy and sorrow. Several stories above where we are sitting Rehavam Zeevi, a minister in the Israeli government and lover of Jerusalem, was murdered here several years ago, said Netanyahu. “I say this because the issue of Jerusalem has not been adequately discussed in this election campaign.”

To better understand the different parties positions regarding Jerusalem, Netanyahu advised checking out their previous deeds: “Look at what the candidates and their parties have done. We have never taken any action to undermine the unity of Jerusalem, even when faced with vociferous international pressures”,  said Netanyahu, and mentionerd to the crowd’s applause the decision to build the Har Homa neighborhood.

Netanyahu also spoke of the importance of connecting Maaleh Adumim to Jerusalem and added: “A Jewish neighborhood was built next to the  Mt. of Olives and there was tremendous criticism, but that’s the way things have to develop.”

“The Palestinians brought the offices of the Palestinian Authority to Jerusalem and we closed them leaving them only as a symbol, the Orient House”, Netanyahu reminded the  audience, adding that  he tried to close that too, but was prevented by the High Court from doing so.

“They tried to take another step, to conduct a population census in Jerusalem and we were surprised to find that  no law prevented any foreign agent from doing so. I then charged Knesset members with passing a law within one day that would allow us to block the Palestinian Authority from conducting the census, and thus we showed our fidelity to  an undivided Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty, and we will continue in this way.”

Netanyahu described the reality that would evolve if Jerusalem were divided: “A meter from this hotel would be an Iranian  military base. And you  know what that means.”

“They tell us that to have peace with our neighbors, we must leave the Temple Mount.  I said already in 1995 that radical Islam will bring down the  Twin Towers because it is one of the most conspicuous symbols of Western democratic ideas.”

“If they wanted to harm the place that best symbolizes the religious heritage of the West,, Judaism and Christianity, where would they strike?” asked Netanyahu and answered, “Jerusalem-  we have already seen that  these radicals have no bounds.”

“Whoever says that making concessions on the  Temple Mount will bring peace is wrong. It will bring the exact opposite”, said Netanyahu, promising to keep Jerusalem undivided

Speaking at the Plenum of the World Jewish Congress currently taking place in Jerusalem, Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a growing scourge of anti-Semitism which many analysts have seen a considerable spike in the wake of Israel’s recent campaign against Hamas. 

Describing Jew hatred as a plague, the former Prime Minister said “In this battle against anti-Semitism we must form alliances with others who are being attacked.  Evil acts such as these begin with the Jews but can quickly spread to a far greater conflagration of hatred.  If unopposed, it will spread and consume the entire world.”
 
With leaders of Jewish communities from across the globe in attendance, Mr. Netanyahu said that in the spirit of Theodor Herzl, “when Jews are faced with anti-Semitism the response should be to turned to the place of the Jewish people.”

Victory on the street-corners = victory at the polls

The activity of volunteers is accelerating as election day nears. We went last Friday with the Likud volunteers in Tel Aviv to hand out stickers and talk to passersby.  The first group stationed itself near the Arlozorof Train Station and the second, at the foot of the Azrieli Towers near the Kirya.

“It was a true experience,” said one of the  activists. “You read news papers, you talk to friends and family but it’s only when you actually get out on the street that you feel what is going on. This is Tel Aviv and  even here, people understand that the time has come to for Likud.” Their enthusiasm became infectious after hearing the  reactions of people on the street. “Likud –nothing else.”, one soldier waved at him as he ran for his train.

There are only a few days left until elections and it seems that the citizens of Israel have already decided – Likud. Nonetheless, we mustn’t be complacent. In order to bring home  a victory, we have to work, to invest time and effort, to bring our enthusiasm and hopes to the  public. The spirit of volunteering and faith is what will bring the Likud its victory.  Not just victory but an overwhelming victory, one that will enable it to lead the country confidently through all of the tremendous challenges it faces: to restore security and peace of mind to all of the citizens of the country; to turn an economic crisis into an opportunity for growth; to transform the Israeli educational system  into one of the finest in the world.

In the two remaining weeks, we will take over the streets and intersections. But next Tuesday, we will all go to Jerusalem, to the great election campaign event  beginning at 19:00 in Binyanei Ha’ooma. For more details, click here.

In preparation for the great election campaign event, you are invited to tell us why it  is important to you to meet Netanyahu personally. The best answer chosen by the visitors to this website will win a visit behind the scenes with Benjamin Netanyahu. If you have an idea, suggestion, or question, you are invited to try to use it to engage the interest of  the next prime minister of Israel. Together we will succeed!