"There is one thing everyone is unanimous about: Benjamin Netanyahu is the current champion of Israeli politics," wrote journalist Barry Weiss in the introduction to the interview she conducted with Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu as part of her podcast, which was officially about the launch of his new book, but soon drifted into a conversation about All the issues that are on the agenda, including the burning questions towards the completion of the coalition agreements.
Netanyahu leaving the meeting as part of the coalition talks, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
In the part discussing his return to the prime ministership, he was asked why the previous government fell, and he replied: "Because it was not a government of unity. It was a government of disunity. In fact, they expelled most of the Jewish citizens in the country from the government. They formed an alliance, believe it or not, with the Muslim Brotherhood ...that they are actually a movement that believes in the dissolution of the Jewish state. In order to come to power, they gave power to a party that wants the end of the Jewish state as we know it, this is unimaginable?...The [previous] government was established for one purpose: the achievement of the government itself and without any common denominator. What else What's worse is that they joined hands with the parties that want to bring about the end of Israel."
Q:
You served as prime minister for 15 years, more than what is allowed for an American president under the law.
What will be different this time?
What is your vision for the current term that you did not achieve in the 15 years you were in power?
A:
"What is the mission according to which I act? Achieving prosperity, security and eternity for the State of Israel. Israel must be very strong; it is not enough to be moral. It is not enough to be just. It is not enough that we are loved. It does not matter. If you are strong you are not survives in our area."
Netanyahu noted that none of the prime ministers came back "twice from political death" as he did.
"I returned, but the question is for what. When I followed the vision of strengthening Israel economically and militarily, I also strengthened it politically as a result, because people are attracted to those who are strong, whether they are moral or not."
He emphasized that "If you ask me what my goal is now? The first thing is to prevent Iran from destroying us. It's the first thing, simple. The second thing is to expand the circle of peace beyond any imagination. Saudi Arabia will be a tremendous achievement, because it will actually put an end to the Arab conflict -Israeli, not the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It should be remembered that the Palestinians are only two percent of the Arab world, but they are the tail that wags the Arab body. I will get there too [peace with the Palestinians], but it will be easier if the Arab-Israeli conflict is ended, but if they ready to make peace now, I will make peace with them, but it must be a peace we can live with. The third goal: make Israel a light for the Gentiles. We are the state of innovation. Do you use a cell phone? Half of the software on it is made in Israel. Many things are made in Israel and there is much more do. I have concrete plans for it. I could go into detail about what my other seven goals are, but we'll settle for three."
When asked how he responds to those who say he winks at undemocratic factors, he responded: "My views on democracy have been shaped by the basic texts of American democracy. I have read the writings of the Federalist, I think there should be checks and balances. You cannot have a true democracy on By people who have appointed themselves to moral affairs that are above the public, above the national interests, it is ridiculous. If you had told the fathers of the American nation that the way to preserve democracy is by appointing a handful of raised people to decide for the mob people - apparently they would say it is ridiculous. But This is the position that permeates the Western democracies and it is very, very dangerous. I am the exact opposite of a powerful man. I believe in democracy, in the balance between the three authorities, but also in the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments of the American Constitution that enshrined basic rights - AL). This balance has been greatly damaged Because of an uncontrolled increase in the power of the judiciary. Correcting the situation is not destroying democracy, it is protecting it."
Q:
Let's look at the current government you are trying to form.
Your new coalition will include two far-right parties that want to annex the West Bank and deport Israeli Arabs who do not support Israel.
One of the leaders of the parties is Itamar Ben Gabir who was a member of a party that was defined as a terrorist organization.
At what point will the ideas of these people cross the line?
A:
First of all, his eligibility to be a member of the coalition and a minister stems from the decision of none other than the Supreme Court.
It should be understood...secondly, the main policy of the government will be determined by the Likud, and frankly, by.
I think I will have more than a modest impact on policy.
I was prime minister for 15 years, an Israeli record.
I often heard the gloomy predictions, but they never came true.
I preserved the democratic image of Israel, continued its traditions;
Israel will not be a country governed by Talmudic law.
We will not ban the activities of the gay community organizations.
As you know, my position on the issue is fundamentally different [from that of the far-right parties], to say the least.
We will remain a state of law, governance will be according to the principles I advocate.
Even in the US, people can claim that the Democratic Party is controlled by fringe elements, but no. It is not."
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