Yadlin: Israel must mend ties with US
Zionist Camp's candidate for defense minister slams Netanyahu's security record and insistence on speaking to Congress following report that White House may boycott AIPAC conference.
Reports that the White House was considering boycotting the AIPAC conference over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intention to speak at Congress on Iran, has led to a wave of criticism Saturday among the Likud leader's rivals.
"Relations with the US, which are a pillar of Israel's national security, have been severely damaged and we must urgently rehabilitate them," said Amos Yadlin, the Zionist Camp's candidate for defense minister.
"Netanyahu is not 'Mr. Defense'. He has failed in defense," Yadlin said at a cultural event in Holon. "After six years in power, Iran is closer than ever to a nuclear bomb. And Netanyahu is weak not just against Iran, but also weak against Hamas.
"The same person who wrote books about not surrendering released hundreds of murderers with blood on their hands. As defense minister, I will oppose the release of murderers."
"As usual, the prime minister is disconnected, continuing to disrespect the whole world and take care of no one but himself. His insistence to address Congress has turned AIPAC into a hostage of his disputes and is causing irreversible damage to Israel's support system in the US."
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman criticized the "inability to decide" during crises at a cultural event in Holon. "Our biggest problem is an inability to decide in all departments – defense, economic, and politics. The cost of apartments is rising because of an inability to decide in the economic department."
He added that "in Operation Protection Edge, after 50 days of fighting we should have toppled the Hamas regime, but they didn't give the signal. The problem is indecision. You can't always stay in the same place, to agonize and deliberate and never make a decision. Indecision perpetuates the conflict and makes the fourth round with Hamas inevitable."
Yoav Galant, second on the Kulanu list, also participated in a a cultural event – in Gan Ner in the Gilboa – where he criticized Yesh Atid.
"With a report card like that presented by Yair Lapid, I would not dare ask the public to entrust me with the role of finance minister; I would go home and drink hot chocolate," he said. Galant, who reiterated Kulanu Chairman Moshe Kahlon's statement that the party "would be in any government", also attacked Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon: "I find it unacceptable that the defense minister instructs the military echelon to reach a tie."
