Two demonstrations took place last week in Tel Aviv. One was against the deportation of infiltrators from Africa. The second was held by residents of the Tel Aviv neighborhoods that have suffered murder, rape, and assault at the hands of the infiltrators. I spoke at the second demonstration and said the following:
“Not far from here, another demonstration is taking place. It is a demonstration funded by foreign sources. We say that we are a family; we have a home and we can shut the door against infiltrators. The people at the other demonstration say that we are not a family. That this is not a Jewish state. That this is a state of all its citizens and that we cannot shut the door.
“The debate here is if there is a Jewish nation and if Israel is a Jewish state or not. Those who do not want a Jewish nation and a Jewish state are over there. And those who want a Jewish nation and a Jewish state are here.
“Now for some facts: What has been happening to the synagogues in southern Tel Aviv? They are being converted into churches, taverns, and brothels for the African infiltrators. This has to stop. The government – although overdue and although it is hesitant – has begun to expel these infiltrators, and we must support it.
“All the foreign-funded pressure to force Israel not to be a Jewish State will not help. We are here and the Zehut party is here to support the expulsion. You will get your neighborhoods back and we will reaffirm that the state of Israel is a Jewish state and the nation of Israel is a Jewish nation.
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“I have a solution for the haredi military draft issue, “I said to Yair Lapid when we first entered the Knesset.
“What is it?” Lapid asked.
“The IDF doesn’t need them or most of the young people who are drafted. Most Israelis [secular included] do not serve in the army or do not serve in a significant manner. Let us pass a law together for a professional, volunteer army. Everyone will enlist for a short training session. From among those interested in volunteering for the professional army, the IDF will choose those it really needs – just like it does now for the pilots, the navy, and the Border Police.”
The expression on Lapid’s face said it all. In one fell swoop, I had slaughtered the horse upon which he had rode to the Knesset.
He mumbled something and hurriedly walked away.
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The following are translated excerpts from an interview with Moshe Feiglin on the Knesset Channel.
Do you think Israel should release the bodies of terrorists without getting anything in return?
We must differentiate between a criminal and a war prisoner. A terrorist is a fighter. He is fighting a war against us. It makes no difference if he represents a terror organization or if he represents himself. It is unethical to return the bodies of terrorists to their families while the same terror organizations continue to hold the bodies of IDF soldiers.
But why does the terrorist’s family have to suffer?
This is a war. A war is not one individual fighting another. That is a criminal case. If someone came to steal or murder for criminal reasons, your question would be justified. But this is a war and we have to conduct ourselves accordingly. If we would treat combating terror as a war, the High Court would not get involved and we wouldn’t need a law to regulate the return of terrorists’ bodies.