Netanyahu: Boycott law reflects democracy in Israel

[Jefferson23]

In a heated Knesset debate, prime minister defends controversial law which bans calls for boycotts on Israel; opposition head Livni: You are leading the country into an abyss.

By Jonathan Lis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Wednesday the boycott law, which was passed in the Knesset Monday night. The law, which penalizes people or organizations who call for a boycott on Israel or the settlements, provoked sharp criticism from opposition MKs and leftist organizations in Israel.

Netanyahu said the law does not taint Israeli democracy. "What stains (Israel's) image are those savage and irresponsible attacks on a democracy's attempt to draw a line between what is acceptable and what is not," he said.

"Don’t get confused," Netanyahu continued. "I approved the law, and if I hadn't approved it it wouldn't have passed. I am against boycotts targeting Israel." Netanyahu spoke of the settler families who might be affected by boycotts. "We have brothers living eleven minutes away from here, in Ma'ale Adumim. You want to get rid of Ariel and Gush Etzion? Go to the Knesset and form a government that will act that way. But hurting families and children in Ariel? I find that illegitimate ."

Netanyahu also mentioned the political freedom enjoyed by Sheikh Raad Saleh of the Islamic Movement and MK Hanin Zuabi (Balad). "Do you know Sheikh Raad Saleh? He is walking freely and speaks everywhere. And he wasn't allowed into Britain." Referring to Zuabi, Netanyahu said "an MK who spoke here took part of a the provocation flotilla that was trying to break a security naval blockade."

in full: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-boycott-law-reflects-democracy-in-israel-1.373058

[Jefferson23]

1. Kadima MKs to face tribunal over 'Boycott Bill' vote

snip* The Kadima MK said his party should have “supported the bill, which was part of the State of Israel’s fight against racism toward its citizens. If there wasn’t party discipline, I would have voted in favor of the bill.”


“Those who oppose the bill with phony democratic claims are legitimizing the international trend of boycotting Israeli academia, culture and economics, thereby damaging the legitimacy of Israeli democracy and Jewish morals,” Schneller added.

snip* MK Ronit Tirosh (Kadima) toed the party line, voting against the bill and each of its clauses, despite being a vocal supporter of the anti-boycott measure.

“Kadima’s zigzag, in which Livni forced her party’s members to remove their name from the bill, despite the fact that they were among those who proposed it, proves that they are a party without an ideology that gives in to left-wing organizations,” coalition chairman Ze’ev Elkin (Likud), who proposed the bill, said.

“This makes it final: Kadima is on the left side of the map.”

The original version of the “Boycott Bill” was proposed by Elkin along with Kadima faction chairwoman MK Dalia Itzik.

in full: http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=229006

[provis99]

2. oh bennie,

Oppressing people is proof you love democracy, eh?

[Matilda]

3. Stifling dissent is not democractic.

In a truly democractic society, everybody should be free to question, criticise or dissent from any and every
government ruling. Anything less makes the government in question a repressive and regressive regime.

[pelsar]

4. they all say that.....

every fuking law that restricts rights etc Always "strengthens democracy" by "protecting it"

reminds me of a pretzel (not to mention rabbis, innman, priests and of course the Pastafarians

[LeftishBrit]

5. I'd use another word than 'reflects': e.g. 'threatens' or 'opposes'