(Jpost).Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will return from his European trip to find that two Likud rallies have been organized to express opposition to the settlement freeze he reportedly negotiated with US envoy George Mitchell in London.
The first, scheduled for Tuesday at Tel Aviv's Azrieli Tower, was organized by Minister-without-Portfolio Yossi Peled. It is not officially an anti-Netanyahu rally but rather a "pro-Jerusalem event," and yet MKs who attend are expected to bash the deal the prime minister is negotiating with the Americans.
The second, set for September 9 at the Likud's Tel Aviv headquarters, openly opposes any freeze on construction in Judea and Samaria and will launch a "National Forum" in the Likud that will actively oppose concessions to the US.
Three ministers have told organizers they will attend the event: Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan, Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon, and Diaspora Affairs Minister Yuli Edelstein. Organizers still hope to attract Vice Premier Moshe Ya'alon and Minister-without-Portfolio Bennie Begin to the rally.
Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely, who will attend both events, said she did not believe either was a rebellion against the prime minister.
"The government was formed on the basis of Judea and Samaria being legitimate and no different than Jerusalem," she said. "We must keep our campaign promises against freezing growth. We aren't trying to topple Netanyahu but to pressure him to stay loyal to what he believes in, despite international pressure."
But Likud MK Danny Danon had no problem with criticizing Netanyahu personally. He condemned the prospect of restarted peace talks with the Palestinians.
"The Middle East is not a Hollywood movie," Danon said. "The Americans are trying to create an imaginary partner for negotiations that is neither interested, nor able, to reach peace with Israel.
"Netanyahu's surrender to American pressure on freezing construction will only lead to more demands and concessions, without receiving anything in return from the Palestinian side," he said.
The first, scheduled for Tuesday at Tel Aviv's Azrieli Tower, was organized by Minister-without-Portfolio Yossi Peled. It is not officially an anti-Netanyahu rally but rather a "pro-Jerusalem event," and yet MKs who attend are expected to bash the deal the prime minister is negotiating with the Americans.
The second, set for September 9 at the Likud's Tel Aviv headquarters, openly opposes any freeze on construction in Judea and Samaria and will launch a "National Forum" in the Likud that will actively oppose concessions to the US.
Three ministers have told organizers they will attend the event: Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan, Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon, and Diaspora Affairs Minister Yuli Edelstein. Organizers still hope to attract Vice Premier Moshe Ya'alon and Minister-without-Portfolio Bennie Begin to the rally.
Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely, who will attend both events, said she did not believe either was a rebellion against the prime minister.
"The government was formed on the basis of Judea and Samaria being legitimate and no different than Jerusalem," she said. "We must keep our campaign promises against freezing growth. We aren't trying to topple Netanyahu but to pressure him to stay loyal to what he believes in, despite international pressure."
But Likud MK Danny Danon had no problem with criticizing Netanyahu personally. He condemned the prospect of restarted peace talks with the Palestinians.
"The Middle East is not a Hollywood movie," Danon said. "The Americans are trying to create an imaginary partner for negotiations that is neither interested, nor able, to reach peace with Israel.
"Netanyahu's surrender to American pressure on freezing construction will only lead to more demands and concessions, without receiving anything in return from the Palestinian side," he said.
