MKs chide PM in stormy Knesset debate

Both left-wing, right-wing MKs slam Netanyahu, blame government for stalled peace negotiations, racist legislation. 'You must think you are popular because there are no mass protests here, but you are wrong. People aren't out on streets because they're too busy surviving,' says Kadima faction chairwoman

Roni Sofer|Published: 02.23.11 , 20:39

Knesset members from the Likud and Kadima on Wednesday locked horns during a special Knesset debate titled "The government's failures in political, economic and social policies."

The dispute erupted after MK Ofir Akunis (Likud) accused the opposition of corruption, and three MKs were removed from the room after being disruptive.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium and responded to the harsh criticism leveled at him by the right and left ends of the political spectrum, claiming that the riots in the Middle East skipped over Israel because "we are a democratic, liberal and developed country."

Netanyahu rejected claims according to which the government has not been active enough, and recited a list of decisions made by the cabinet during the past three weeks. He added that the governmnet has been working at "fantastic speed."

The prime minister called on the opposition to "get in-touch with reality," adding that "this reality forces us to acknowledge that the region is extremely unstable."

Netanyahu's speech was interrupted by Hadash Chairman MK Mohammad Barakeh, who shouted at him, "You live on the balance of terror – peace frightens you."

'Unite for good of country'

On the backdrop of the US veto on an anti-settlement resoultion, Netanyahu noted a UN vote taken during Cast Lead Operation, and said: "Fourteen states voted against Israel, just like now. One state – The United States – abstained.

"(At the time) my peers and I did not attack the government and it never crossed our minds to do so. We supported the government," he added, urging the opposition "to rise above its narrow considerations and unite for the good of the country."

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni claimed the prime minister embarrassed the United States and called Netanyahu a weak leader.

'Working at fantastic speed.' Netanyahu (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

"We have a wonderful country and a bad government. We need to make this distinction, before the world realizes that the failures of this country stem from the leadership," she said.

During the debate, legislators from Labor and Kadima chided Netanyahu over the deadlocked negotiations with the Palestinians, the series of racist legislation proposals, the affair surrounding the appointment of the IDF chief of staff and the financial situation.

Calling out from his seat, Netanyahu responded "where is the Palestinian partner? Why doesn't he come here?," to which Meretz Chairman Chaim Oron replied, "He is 15 kilometers from here and is not coming because he knows he'll receive nothing from you."

Right wing parties didn't spare Netanyahu either, and MK Uri Ariel (National Union) reminded the prime minister of the Bar-Ilan speech, in which he declared his willingness to embrace a two-state solution.

MK Daniel Ben-Simon (Labor) claimed that Netanyahu wasted two full years on the political level, humiliated the US president and insulted European leaders.

"You stopped the peace process," Ben-Simon told Netanyahu, "You are ruining the dream of youngsters and parents, that this will be the last war." Ben-Simon also argued that the prime minister transformed the Likud into a radical party that legislates "racist laws."

Kadima faction chairwoman Dalia Itzik said, "You must think you are popular because there are no mass protests here, but you are wrong Mr. Prime Minister. They are not going out on the street because they are busy surviving. Never have there been so many taxes without a reason. There is no emergency situation in this country. You are not here, Mr. Prime Minister – I urge you to return to Israel," she said.