Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 17.7.11:
„The State of Israel is a democracy that defends itself against attempts to delegitimize it in the international sphere. This is the reason that we passed the law against boycotts against the State of
Israel and its citizens. I think that it is an important law.
Israel and its citizens. I think that it is an important law.
However, we must act systematically and prudently vis-à-vis the steps that we are taking.
There is what to correct. But we must do so methodically and cautiously and in any
case we must protect our system of law and the rule of law, the courts and our
enforcement agencies. Therefore, we will act cautiously and in order to
maintain these networks.
case we must protect our system of law and the rule of law, the courts and our
enforcement agencies. Therefore, we will act cautiously and in order to
maintain these networks.
I think that by this restrained conduct are
also preventing the continuation of the delegitimization campaign that is
defaming Israel. We have been, remain and always will be the only democracy
that upholds law and individual rights in the Middle East. I hope, by the way,
that perhaps this will change in the future, but it certainly does not seem so
in the present.
also preventing the continuation of the delegitimization campaign that is
defaming Israel. We have been, remain and always will be the only democracy
that upholds law and individual rights in the Middle East. I hope, by the way,
that perhaps this will change in the future, but it certainly does not seem so
in the present.
I am aware of the rent crisis. I am certainly
aware of the housing crisis. The Government is doing things here to repair this
blight that has vexed the State of Israel for many years. We are a small
country. We have a very large demand for apartments, both for purchase and for
rental, and there are not enough apartments. There are not enough apartments
because we have two insane bureaucracies that prevent the planning and marketing
of apartments; today, it takes more than five years to plan an apartment in
Israel. We are now attacking these two things.
aware of the housing crisis. The Government is doing things here to repair this
blight that has vexed the State of Israel for many years. We are a small
country. We have a very large demand for apartments, both for purchase and for
rental, and there are not enough apartments. There are not enough apartments
because we have two insane bureaucracies that prevent the planning and marketing
of apartments; today, it takes more than five years to plan an apartment in
Israel. We are now attacking these two things.
Tomorrow, the proposal to complete the historic
reform at the Israel Land Administration will reach the Knesset so that we will
be able to market apartments. I call on all those ho are now demonstrating, I
understand their plight, to come and help us tomorrow, myself and the
Government, in the Knesset to pass this. This is the first thing.
reform at the Israel Land Administration will reach the Knesset so that we will
be able to market apartments. I call on all those ho are now demonstrating, I
understand their plight, to come and help us tomorrow, myself and the
Government, in the Knesset to pass this. This is the first thing.
The second thing – We have 13 days in which to
pass the national housing committees, the law to bypass the planning
bureaucracy, so that we may proceed quickly. Thirteen days, this means that in
the next two weeks we will submit two historic laws that the State of Israel has
been awaiting and hoping for because only together will it be possible to bring
about a genuine start of the housing solution. I would like to say in advance
that it will take between two and three years to channel tens of thousands of
apartments into the market. But this is what will resolve the issue; this is
what will provide a genuine solution. Whoever would like to help is invited to
help us pass these two items.
pass the national housing committees, the law to bypass the planning
bureaucracy, so that we may proceed quickly. Thirteen days, this means that in
the next two weeks we will submit two historic laws that the State of Israel has
been awaiting and hoping for because only together will it be possible to bring
about a genuine start of the housing solution. I would like to say in advance
that it will take between two and three years to channel tens of thousands of
apartments into the market. But this is what will resolve the issue; this is
what will provide a genuine solution. Whoever would like to help is invited to
help us pass these two items.
The third thing, there has been much talk and
much protest about the high price of dairy products, and food in general, around
the country. Yes, prices are high. We will begin a discussion today which will
last at least one more session on bringing about a fundamental reform in the
dairy and food sectors. I announce in advance that I will be guided by three
principles in these discussions. They are: Competition, competition and
competition. Competition will lower consumer prices. Competition will provide
the solution.
much protest about the high price of dairy products, and food in general, around
the country. Yes, prices are high. We will begin a discussion today which will
last at least one more session on bringing about a fundamental reform in the
dairy and food sectors. I announce in advance that I will be guided by three
principles in these discussions. They are: Competition, competition and
competition. Competition will lower consumer prices. Competition will provide
the solution.
Thank you.”
