Ben-Ari Gives First Speech; Arab MKs Walk Out

Arutz Sheva ^ | 3/3/09 | Maayana Miskin

[Nachum]

(IsraelNN.com) MK Rabbi Dr. Michael Ben-Ari gave his first speech to the Knesset on Monday. Ben-Ari discussed the economic hardship being felt by many in Israel as well as the costs of making concessions to Arab enemies.

Arab MKs left the hall during his speech, leading Ben-Ari to express satisfaction at what he called “my first great achievement in Knesset.”

Ben-Ari reminded those assembled of the suffering in Hatzor Haglilit, where workers are protesting the closure of the factory that provides many of the town's jobs. “As we gathered here, all of us beautifully dressed, in splendid garments, in Hatzor Haglilit they wore sackclothes and ashes,” he said.

The government always has excuses for the economic hardships facing Israelis, especially those outside central Israel, Ben-Ari continued. “The crisis lies in our leadership, which does not know how to focus on the national issues facing us,” he stated.

The leadership fails to address social and economic problems, he continued, choosing instead to “run after visions of false peace, visions that have brought us blood, fire, suffering and pain... and economic damage.” He detailed the financial costs to Israel from such initiatives as the withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, the barrier in Judea and Samaria and the expulsion of Jews from Gaza.

Regarding the Judea and Samaria barrier, Ben-Ari told those assembled, “I'll tell you a secret – kassams and missiles can also fly over an eight-meter wall.”

What Israel must do, he said, is to establish “a national economic front.” Israel must stop chasing a peace that cannot be achieved and instead focus on developing neglected parts of the country, he said. “This is the most burning issue... to turn the periphery, the rough neighborhoods, the Galilee, the Golan, the Negev, Judea and Samaria – to turn all of them into 'central Israel,'” he concluded.

Arab MKs Walk Out As Ben-Ari began his speech, Arab MKs left the hall, leading him to quote a biblical verse, “Those who seek to destroy you, will go out from within.”

After leaving, MK Ahmed Tibi told reporters, “We'll treat Michael Ben-Ari, the Kahanist [follower of Rabbi Meir Kahane – ed.], as we treated [Rabbi] Meir Kahane when he was a Member of Knesset.”

MK Jamal Zahalka lamented the fact that only Arab MKs left the hall as Ben-Ari spoke, and said members of other parties should have left in protest as well.

Ben-Ari expressed satisfaction at the stir caused by his speech. “This is my first great achievement in Knesset, and I am glad to see it. If the fifth column leaves every time I speak, it's an important step, and I hope a sign of things to come. Soon we should merit to see them not only leaving the hall, but leaving the entire Israeli Knesset.”

[Izzy Dunne]

In response, the Israeli members of the Palestinian government should walk out as well.

Oh, wait...

[DTogo]

Arab MKs left the hall during his speech, leading Ben-Ari to express satisfaction at what he called “my first great achievement in Knesset.”

HA!