08/12/2013
Bayit Yehudi MK Uri Ariel Photo: Marc Israel Sellem/ The Jerusalem Post
Politicians came out for and against releasing prisoners Monday, after the government decided overnight Sunday to let 26 terrorists out of jail.
"Terrorists belong in jail. Otherwise, the government is making a mockery of the legal system that ruled these vile murderers should be in prison," Construction and Housing Minister Uri Ariel said.
Ariel pointed out that the terrorists being released killed women and children, adding that "it's not clear to me how releasing murderers can bring peace."
"Releasing terrorists and peace are total opposites," he stated.
MK Moti Yogev, also of the Bayit Yehudi, said it's immoral to release prisoners and accused the government of giving in to American dictates.
"This shows us the character of the US president and his messengers, and what these negotiations and worth when they're based on an immoral act," he stated. "We will continue building all over our land and certainly in Jerusalem, our capital."
Yesh Atid faction chairman Ofer Shelah also said releasing prisoners is immoral and undermines the government's sovereignty.
However, Shelah expressed support for the decision and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
"When you see a prime minister begin negotiations despite opposition from members of his party and others in the coalition, you understand that we have no choice but to support him. A prime minister needs courage to start talks, and we need to follow him," Shelah told Israel Radio.
In the opposition, Shas MK Ya'acov Margi accused the Bayit Yehudi of "selling out bereaved families for settlement construction."
According to MK Omer Bar-Lev (Labor), the government rejected alternatives to releasing terrorists for political reasons.
"In the current situation, there is no doubt that the right thing to do to ensure Israel's future as a safe and prosperous country is to release prisoners, but it’s the worst alternative for our image, values and strategy," Bar-Lev said.
The Labor MK called for Netanyahu to stop his "dangerous and embarrassing zigzag" in authorizing construction in settlements and criticizing Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas while talks are taking place.
"This zigzag will cost us a lot and end in a serious accident that will lead to Israel's decline in the international arena and bring a security crisis," he concluded.
"Terrorists belong in jail. Otherwise, the government is making a mockery of the legal system that ruled these vile murderers should be in prison," Construction and Housing Minister Uri Ariel said.
Ariel pointed out that the terrorists being released killed women and children, adding that "it's not clear to me how releasing murderers can bring peace."
"Releasing terrorists and peace are total opposites," he stated.
MK Moti Yogev, also of the Bayit Yehudi, said it's immoral to release prisoners and accused the government of giving in to American dictates.
"This shows us the character of the US president and his messengers, and what these negotiations and worth when they're based on an immoral act," he stated. "We will continue building all over our land and certainly in Jerusalem, our capital."
Yesh Atid faction chairman Ofer Shelah also said releasing prisoners is immoral and undermines the government's sovereignty.
However, Shelah expressed support for the decision and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
"When you see a prime minister begin negotiations despite opposition from members of his party and others in the coalition, you understand that we have no choice but to support him. A prime minister needs courage to start talks, and we need to follow him," Shelah told Israel Radio.
In the opposition, Shas MK Ya'acov Margi accused the Bayit Yehudi of "selling out bereaved families for settlement construction."
According to MK Omer Bar-Lev (Labor), the government rejected alternatives to releasing terrorists for political reasons.
"In the current situation, there is no doubt that the right thing to do to ensure Israel's future as a safe and prosperous country is to release prisoners, but it’s the worst alternative for our image, values and strategy," Bar-Lev said.
The Labor MK called for Netanyahu to stop his "dangerous and embarrassing zigzag" in authorizing construction in settlements and criticizing Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas while talks are taking place.
"This zigzag will cost us a lot and end in a serious accident that will lead to Israel's decline in the international arena and bring a security crisis," he concluded.
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