Yishai: Barak's remarks could lead to incitement
Shas chairman slams defense minister for referring to extreme rightists as cancerous growth at Rabin memorial. At start of cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Olmert refers to 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht pogrom, says 'over time, we have made sure such a thing will never happen to the Jewish people again'
"This is an unfortunate and dangerous statement, which could lead to incitement against a great, dear public," Yishai said, urging Barak "to apologize and express his remorse".
Barak said during Saturday evening's memorial service, "We used to call them weeds, today they are no less than cancerous growths…There was writing on the wall then that we weren’t wise enough to see.
"This is not just writing on the wall, this is a sharp undermining of democracy, the rule of law, the IDF, police and all the authorities serving a normal society. We promise you Yitzhak, we will remove this evil from us."
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said at the start of the cabinet meeting, "I would like to hope that the public atmosphere that led to the assassination of an acting prime minister in Israel has changed, but I cannot be sure that is the case.
"I'm uncertain that the incitement has stopped, I'm uncertain that the situation has changed, and that the attempt to delegitimize a political line which does not match the government's opinion has changed.
"This is an issue for national self-examination and we have to ask ourselves if we have done everything we can to prevent a similar murder."
The prime minister mentioned the memorial service at Tel Aviv's Rabin Sqaure, noting that "year by year, tens of thousands of people arrive to honor the memory and show their respect for the contribution of the man who headed Israel's army in the State's most critical moments, and the man who fought courageously for peace and paid for it with his life."
Remembering Kristallnacht
Before the cabinet meeting, Olmert and Minister for Pensioner Affairs Rafi Eitan visited an exhibition at the Prime Minister's Office marking the 70th anniversary of Kristalnacht, a Nazi pogrom against Jews which took place in 1938.
The prime minister referred to the Night of the Broken Glass, in which 92 Jews were murdered and tens of thousands were deported to concentration camps, during the cabinet meeting.
"This was the first greatest, most violent outburst which hurt tens of thousands of Jews throughout the Reich. It was the turning point, after which the destruction was inevitable. It was that destruction which destroyed large parts of the Jewish people between 1939 and 1945.
"A phenomenon in which an incited public riots in the streets, hurts Jews and destroys their property is unforgivable and unforgettable," he told his ministers. "Over time, we have made sure such a thing will never happen to the Jewish people again."
During the meeting, the ministers were expected to listen to the testimonies of people who were present in Germany when government officials, organizations and youth movements damaged synagogues and tens of thousands of Jewish businesses and homes. The ministers will also watch a film documenting that night.
Bar-On vs. Barak
Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On also attempted to "settle a political score" with Barak following the defense minister's demand to allot an additional NIS 500 million (about $130.8 million) to the fortification of Gaza vicinity communities.
"Barak was brought to yield results, but he's only bringing expenses," said Bar-On.
The Kadima minister blasted the Labor chairman for claiming that the government brought about the Gaza pullout and terror which led to the Second Lebanon War.
"The disengagement was carried out by the Likud government and the war in Lebanon was decided upon by a Kadima government with a defense minister from the Labor Party. Barak is distorting the fact," he said.
An official at Barak's office said in response that "Bar-On's irresponsible rhetoric is evident of the 'different kind of politics' offered by Kadima. Instead of keeping things on a professional level, Bar-On drags politics into the discussion. He and his party members would be better off protecting the Gaza and Sderot residents."
Ahead of the cabinet meeting and in lieu of sufficient government funding toward the expansion of the fortification works, Minister of the Development of the Negev and Galilee Jacob Edery suggested offering the residents of the Qassam-ridden region low mortgage rates so they will be able to afford to fortify their own homes.
Edery's proposal came after Prime Minister Olmert and Finance Minister Bar-On expressed their objection to Defense Minister Barak's request for an additional NIS 500 million toward the construction of secure rooms in some 8,000 Gaza-vicinity housing units.
