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Two former defense ministers: Ben-Eliezer and Peretz
Phoo: Adi Sharabi

Ben-Eliezer: Nothing will change without protests

Former defense minister criticizes government for its complete 'blindness' in 'ignoring social reality' says security situation has never been so catastrophic

Former Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer has called for the renewal of the social protest. "Nothing has come out of all these discussions, only protests in the streets have a chance of causing something to change," he said Wednesday morning at a special meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in Sderot.

 

Knesset Member Ben-Eliezer's statements followed reports that the Trajtenberg committee's conclusions were being sidelined. According to Ben-Eliezer "this government is walking blindly, completely ignoring the social reality and focusing on the security situation."

 

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Discussing the security situation, Ben-Eliezer agreed with the analysis of Brigadier General Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash (Res.). "Israel has never been in a more catastrophic security situation," he noted.

 


"היום אף אחד לא יודע מה יהיה עוד כמה שנים" (צילום: עדי שרעבי)

Ben-Eliezer at the committee meeting in Sderot (Photo: Adi Sharabi) 

 

"The government is angry at me for saying things like that. Israel always knew how to look a few years ahead. Today no one knows what will happen a few years from now. We are set for a confrontation with Egypt – nothing will help.

 

"The Americans are going to clear out of Iraq soon and that will create an even harsher reality. There is no bright side, " he added and spoke of the possibility of making defense budget cuts: "When you deal with existential problems, you can't gamble. Do we need to reorganize the defense? Yes! But budget cuts now – no.

 

"Tomorrow's war is not yesterday's war; it's a completely different reality. We need to increase the budget, not make cuts."

 

At the opening of the special meeting the Head of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Shaul Mofaz said that the State of Israel has lost its ability to solve internal problems amid external threats.

 

"The next (social) protest will arise due to the burgeoning reality in which less and less young people are enlisting in the army," he said.

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.30.11, 14:10
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