Netanyahu. Closing out the year
Photo: Reuters
Netanyahu sums up year in office
Prime minister says of end of IDF chief's term: 'Every organization must renew itself', and counts his government's successes in past year, which include land reform, progress on Shalit deal, and transportation planning
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
summed up the first year of his second term in office Wednesday, amid a burgeoning diplomatic dispute with the Obama administration and a squabble between
the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff over an extension of the latter's term.
When asked about the debate between Gabi Ashkenazi and Ehud Barak Netanyahu said, "I appreciate the chief of staff's work. Actually there were no decisions made, this is the carrying out of a decision," he said. "We know that all organizations must refresh and renew themselves."
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Regarding defense issues, the prime minister spoke of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. "We have sent in a new mediator, and he has made a proposal. We were willing to travel a long and difficult road to retrieve Gilad and are still willing, on the condition that it will not endanger the lives of Israelis," he said.
"Up until now we have not received word from Hamas. I must admit that I asked for and received a sign of life from Gilad in the form of a videotape. We are making many efforts on which I cannot elaborate at this point."
The prime minister also mentioned the army's retaliation for every rocket fired towards the Negev. "Our policy is to respond and to initiate. I hope the organizations are taking this into account," he said.
'Less taxes, more transportation'
Netanyahu opened his speech by saying his government had made 1,500 decisions, and began with economic matters. The reforms, he said, have caused "the closing of gaps, promotion of education and heritage, and operations both defensive and political".
He added that unemployment had gone down and that he had "insisted on continuing the reduction of taxes". Regarding transportation, Netanyahu said he wanted to complete a train line running between Eilat and Kiryat Shmona within 15 years. "we will connect the entire state," he said.
The prime minister was also proud of his land reform. "Releasing land to the public is a process that opposes rising prices," he said, adding that when the reform is approved construction permits will be available within 90 days.
In other matters, Netanyahu said the Gaza vicinity communities had been strengthened as well as communities of Gaza and West Bank evacuees. "Five years after the disengagement we put an end to this," he said.
Netanyahu's government has also, according to him, enlarged benefits received for second, third, and fourth children as well as those received by senior citizens. "Most of the public is unaware of this," he said.
In addition Netanyahu claims his government has bailed out a number of social welfare organizations about to go bankrupt, and established 30 new research facilities.
