Netanyahu: “no diplomatic wisdom in being ingratiating”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken of complaints about his stand against those countries which voted against Israel in the U.N. condemning Israel’s continued settlement building.
Benjamin Netanyahu at the launch Photo: Kobi Gideon (GPO)
Netanyahu was speaking in Maalot-Tarshiha, at the ceremony to launch the Socio-Economic Development Plan for the Galilee.
He said: “I read in several newspapers this morning that they are complaining about my vigorous stand against the countries that voted against us at the UN. Israel is a country with national pride and we do not turn the other cheek. This is a responsible, measured and vigorous response, the natural response of a healthy people that is making it clear to the nations of the world that what was done at the UN is unacceptable to us.
There is continuing importance to this response even if there is another attempt or two to harm us in the coming month. But there is no alternative to a determined response because it is, in effect, creating the basis for a different approach in the future. Therefore, to describe our protest as a world war is ridiculous. I suggest – enough of this Diaspora-think. I tell you that there is no diplomatic wisdom in being ingratiating. Not only will our relations with the nations of the world not be harmed, over time they will only improve because the nations of the world respect strong countries that stand up for themselves and do not respect weak ingratiating countries that bow their heads.
Under my leadership Israel is a strong and proud nation. We will continue to defend our state and we will develop the country.”
I agree with what Netanyahu says about remaining firm in the face of aggression or attempted intimidation. Otherwise there is no respect. And there has to be respect with the future in mind. Israeli politicians who think otherwise are wimps and have their heads in the sand.
The huge mistake in 1967 was virtually gifting the Temple Mount to the Arab people. All these years later the problems associated with that continue to reverberate, threaten to spill over. What’s more it’s nothing short of ridiculous that Jews can’t pray there. What a wasted opportunity.
Only complaints, and no solutions
PM Netanyahu, and some of his predecessors, have brought the UN Security Council vote upon himself by his uncompromising stance of Hebrew settlements in occupied Palestine.
Further the calling in of ambassadors, for a dressing down, from many countries is making him a laughing stock, even in Israel. Who does he think he is? As if the USA, Russia, China, Britain care what he think let alone New Zealand who have always been a nation of progressive free thinking people.
He is the PM of a small country with 6 million Jewish and a similar number of Arabs and Palestinian Muslims and Christians. That is half the population of Australia and Australia is a small player in world affairs too.
It should have been said and done in 1967 instead of grovelling and begging for peace.