Israel Matzav

Jews rally for housing in E1 (between Jerusalem and Maaleh Adumim)

Today is a (short) travel day, but it's snowing here in Boston and I have to work for a few hours so posting may be light. Or if I get stuck in an airport or use the WiFi on the plane it may not be so light....

For weeks now, I've been seeing signs about a rally in E1 - the area between Jerusalem and Maaleh Adumim in which the Obama administration prevented Israeli construction several months ago. The rally is on Thursday, and Deputy Defense Minister and MK Danny Danon (Likud) says Washington is watching.

There is no doubt that Washington will be watching, Danon told Arutz Sheva. “It is important that the Americans observe the events, and that they realize that there are limits to what a government led by the national camp can do,” he said.

“I think that in the situation we are in today, there is great significance to an event like this,” he said. Senior political leaders from the Knesset and the coalition will be present, he said, “and will tell the Prime Minister that there are things we cannot agree to, and one of those things is [dividing] Jerusalem.”

“I’m sure they will follow this event in Jerusalem and in Washington, and it’s a good thing, too. The message needs to be heard loud and clear,“ he said.

“The Prime Minister, too, who will sit down with President Obama next month, needs to make it clear that he represents a certain population, with certain values,” Danon continued. “With all due respect to the pressure Obama applies, when it comes to matters like compromising on Jerusalem and evacuating Jews, that is something that [Netanyahu] cannot do even if he were to agree.

“I hope he doesn’t agree,” Danon added. “But even if he does, he needs to realize that politically speaking, there are things that can’t be done.”

I hope a lot of people show up. According to my weather report, it's a warm and beautiful day in Jerusalem. The temperature is about 40 degrees warmer than here (which is 10 degrees warmer than it was here last night)....

Labels: Binyamin Netanyahu, Boston, Danny Danon, E-1, East Jerusalem, Maaleh Adumim, snow

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:51 PM