Protesters interrupting Netanyahu's speech.
Netanyahu to environmentalist protesters: Do you think we have a money tree?
Activists from the Megama Yeruka organization interrupted the PM’s speech during the Negev Conference. All five of them were ejected from the hall. ‘We are investing billions here,' PM Netanyahu told the audience.
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech at the Negev Conference in Yeruham on Tuesday was disrupted by five activists from the Megama Yeruka organization, who were protesting the government’s investments in new Negev towns, which they see as coming at the expense of existing ones. “You’re killing the Negev,” the protesters yelled before being ejected.
Netanyahu answered the protesters, saying, “There hasn’t been a government that has done more for (Israel’s) southerners. The facts are stronger. We are investing billions in the Negev.”
The PM dismissed the protesters’ claims that existing towns were being neglected, saying, “Nothing these youths are saying won’t take place without a propelling factor. The most innovative companies in the world are coming to the Negev. When has this ever happened before? How do you think jobs are created? Do you think the Government has a money tree that can be picked and picked? We need to erect an economic tree.”
PM Netanyahu at the Negev Conference. (Photo: Yisrael Yosef)
Netanyahu also spoke to the Bedouin population of Negev residents, with whom the government is attempting to reach land agreements (Bedouin sector authorities and the government have a long-standing dispute over the ownership of many Negev lands), saying, “The Negev’s leap serves the region’s entire population. Everyone is enjoying the fruits of investment and growth. I call to the Bedouin residents of the Negev: We must reach a settlement. It will serve you as much as it serves the state. Each side gives, and each receives. The chance to do it is now.”
One of the protesters stated after the fact that “We disrupted Netanyahu’s speech because he spoke of supposedly developing the Negev, but that’s a deceiving figure. He’s erecting new cities for the people wh are supposed to come to the Negev and develop the existing cities. This creates an inner-Negev bubble of certain isolated populations, and weakens existing towns. Residents are leaving Yeruham and Dimona to live there (in the new cities. -ed).”
