Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summed up the first year of his second term in office Wednesday, amid a burgeoning diplomatic dispute with the Obama administration and a squabble between the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff over an extension of the latter's term.
Netanyahu was generous with his praise for his government, and for himself in particular: "The cabinet made decisions based on my vision so that Israel can establish itself as an economic and technological power. Under my leadership, the Israeli economy has emerged from the economic crisis. To complete the process we must free it from bureaucracy. "This is a government of action," he continued. "We have made over 1,500 [cabinet] decisions this year. We are acting to launch the economy and turn Israel into a superpower.
*"We were one of the advanced economies that insisted on continuing to lower taxes when the economic discourse went in the opposite [direction]. Within seven years, we will reduce the maximum tax rate for individuals by 8% and for companies by 9%," Netanyahu said.
*When asked about the debate between Gabi Ashkenazi and Ehud Barak Netanyahu said, "I appreciate the chief of staff's work. Actually there were no decisions made, this is the carrying out of a decision," he said. "We know that all organizations must refresh and renew themselves."
*Regarding defense issues, the prime minister spoke of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. "We have sent in a new mediator, and he has made a proposal. We were willing to travel a long and difficult road to retrieve Gilad and are still willing, on the condition that it will not endanger the lives of Israelis,".
"Up until now we have not received word from Hamas. I must admit that I asked for and received a sign of life from Gilad in the form of a videotape. We are making many efforts on which I cannot elaborate at this point."
The prime minister also mentioned the army's retaliation for every rocket fired towards the Negev. "Our policy is to respond and to initiate. I hope the organizations are taking this into account," he said.
Netanyahu opened his speech by saying his government had made 1,500 decisions.
*He began with economic matters. The reforms, he said, have caused "the closing of gaps, promotion of education and heritage, and operations both defensive and political".
He added that unemployment had gone down and that he had "insisted on continuing the reduction of taxes". Regarding transportation, Netanyahu said he wanted to complete a train line running between Eilat and Kiryat Shmona within 15 years. "we will connect the entire state," he said.
*The prime minister was also proud of his land reform. "Releasing land to the public is a process that opposes rising prices," he said, adding that when the reform is approved construction permits will be available within 90 days.
*In other matters, Netanyahu said the Gaza vicinity communities had been strengthened as well as communities of Gaza and West Bank evacuees. "Five years after the disengagement we put an end to this," he said.
Netanyahu's government has also, according to him, enlarged benefits received for second, third, and fourth children as well as those received by senior citizens. "Most of the public is unaware of this," he said.
*In addition Netanyahu claims his government has bailed out a number of social welfare organizations about to go bankrupt, and established 30 new research facilities.
*In regard to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Netanyahu said Israel has increased security and economic cooperation with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in the West Bank.
Israel, according to Netanyahu, has worked to improve the economic situation of the Palestinians, including initiating joint economic development projects, and dismantling 27 out of 41 checkpoints and 357 roadblocks.
However, hundreds of roadblocks and checkpoints still exist across the West Bank, which the Palestinians say have significantly impeded both their activities and the development of the Palestinian economy.
Netanyahu blamed Palestinian leaders of having not responded to an Israeli call to resume direct peace negotiations, saying that the PNA had "put itself up a tree."
During the news conference, Netanyahu admitted that Israel still has some disputes with the United States. "There are things we agree on, things we don't agree on, things we are closing the gap on," said the prime minister.
"Israel will position itself as a regional economic power, and as an international powerhouse in technology, anchored by its values, secure living and being at peace with its neighbors,".
"There are many nations around the world -- many of them extremely important -- that may criticize us in certain areas, but they are also interested, for example, in connections with us in technology, agriculture, water, defense and other areas," Netanyahu said, responding to a question from a reporter about the perception that Israel is growing more and more isolated on the world stage.
*About the incoming nuclear security summit to be held in Washington on April 12-13, Netanyahu said he welcomed the summit, adding "it's important and a welcome change, that the president of the United States and over 40 leading countries seized this issue. "
"I'm not concerned that anyone will think of Israel as a terrorist regime," Netanyahu said, on the possibility of the issue of Israel's presumed nuclear arsenal being brought up in the summit.
Netanyahu was generous with his praise for his government, and for himself in particular: "The cabinet made decisions based on my vision so that Israel can establish itself as an economic and technological power. Under my leadership, the Israeli economy has emerged from the economic crisis. To complete the process we must free it from bureaucracy. "This is a government of action," he continued. "We have made over 1,500 [cabinet] decisions this year. We are acting to launch the economy and turn Israel into a superpower.
*"We were one of the advanced economies that insisted on continuing to lower taxes when the economic discourse went in the opposite [direction]. Within seven years, we will reduce the maximum tax rate for individuals by 8% and for companies by 9%," Netanyahu said.
*When asked about the debate between Gabi Ashkenazi and Ehud Barak Netanyahu said, "I appreciate the chief of staff's work. Actually there were no decisions made, this is the carrying out of a decision," he said. "We know that all organizations must refresh and renew themselves."
*Regarding defense issues, the prime minister spoke of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. "We have sent in a new mediator, and he has made a proposal. We were willing to travel a long and difficult road to retrieve Gilad and are still willing, on the condition that it will not endanger the lives of Israelis,".
"Up until now we have not received word from Hamas. I must admit that I asked for and received a sign of life from Gilad in the form of a videotape. We are making many efforts on which I cannot elaborate at this point."
The prime minister also mentioned the army's retaliation for every rocket fired towards the Negev. "Our policy is to respond and to initiate. I hope the organizations are taking this into account," he said.
Netanyahu opened his speech by saying his government had made 1,500 decisions.
*He began with economic matters. The reforms, he said, have caused "the closing of gaps, promotion of education and heritage, and operations both defensive and political".
He added that unemployment had gone down and that he had "insisted on continuing the reduction of taxes". Regarding transportation, Netanyahu said he wanted to complete a train line running between Eilat and Kiryat Shmona within 15 years. "we will connect the entire state," he said.
*The prime minister was also proud of his land reform. "Releasing land to the public is a process that opposes rising prices," he said, adding that when the reform is approved construction permits will be available within 90 days.
*In other matters, Netanyahu said the Gaza vicinity communities had been strengthened as well as communities of Gaza and West Bank evacuees. "Five years after the disengagement we put an end to this," he said.
Netanyahu's government has also, according to him, enlarged benefits received for second, third, and fourth children as well as those received by senior citizens. "Most of the public is unaware of this," he said.
*In addition Netanyahu claims his government has bailed out a number of social welfare organizations about to go bankrupt, and established 30 new research facilities.
*In regard to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Netanyahu said Israel has increased security and economic cooperation with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in the West Bank.
Israel, according to Netanyahu, has worked to improve the economic situation of the Palestinians, including initiating joint economic development projects, and dismantling 27 out of 41 checkpoints and 357 roadblocks.
However, hundreds of roadblocks and checkpoints still exist across the West Bank, which the Palestinians say have significantly impeded both their activities and the development of the Palestinian economy.
Netanyahu blamed Palestinian leaders of having not responded to an Israeli call to resume direct peace negotiations, saying that the PNA had "put itself up a tree."
During the news conference, Netanyahu admitted that Israel still has some disputes with the United States. "There are things we agree on, things we don't agree on, things we are closing the gap on," said the prime minister.
"Israel will position itself as a regional economic power, and as an international powerhouse in technology, anchored by its values, secure living and being at peace with its neighbors,".
"There are many nations around the world -- many of them extremely important -- that may criticize us in certain areas, but they are also interested, for example, in connections with us in technology, agriculture, water, defense and other areas," Netanyahu said, responding to a question from a reporter about the perception that Israel is growing more and more isolated on the world stage.
*About the incoming nuclear security summit to be held in Washington on April 12-13, Netanyahu said he welcomed the summit, adding "it's important and a welcome change, that the president of the United States and over 40 leading countries seized this issue. "
"I'm not concerned that anyone will think of Israel as a terrorist regime," Netanyahu said, on the possibility of the issue of Israel's presumed nuclear arsenal being brought up in the summit.
