Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Archives)
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Minister Uzi Landau (Archives)
Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
addressed on Sunday his upcoming trip to the United States and the speech that he was invited to give in Congress, drawing criticism from right-wing ministers for not presenting his political strategy before the Knesset first.
Upcoming Speech
House Speaker John Boehner to invite Israeli premier to speak at joint meeting of US Congress during upcoming Washington visit
"This occasion is an opportunity to present political and security principles, in light of the dramatic changes in our region and in light of our defense needs and national interest to ensure our safe and peaceful future," Netanyahu said during a government meeting.
National Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau slammed Netanyahu, saying that the Knesset is the appropriate forum to introduce Israel's new foreign policy. "Not in a conference in Herzeliya, not at Bar Ilan Univeristy and not abroad, but here in Israel at the Knesset chamber – this is the place to present new policy," he said.
'First Israeli public, then US'
Science and Technology Minister Daniel Hershkowitz added that the Israeli public should be the first to hear about the new plan. "We hear news about new policy strategies, and I definitely think that the Israeli public, government and Cabinet should be exposed to them first. Then, of course, the American public will hear about it from us," he said.Landau addressed the Palestinian Authority's intention to unilaterally declare independence in September, saying that "if a Palestinian state is declared, the prime minister must stand up and say that Israel will enforce sovereignty over Judea, Samaria, the Jordan Valley and large Jewish settlements that are located in the concensus."
Netanyahu thanked the US Congress during Sunday's meeting for approving a transfer of $205 million for the development of the Iron Dome missile defense system. He also addressed the relocation of Israel Defense Forces bases to the Negev, calling it a "historic" move. He noted that spreading strategic military sites around the country, as opposed to concentrating them in central Israel, is national security measure.
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook