Bennett: I said “no” to Biden three times, to Iran, to reopening the US consulate and to settlements
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett recently told settler leaders that during his meeting with the American leader in the White House, he pushed back the Iranian nuclear program, the reopening of the American consulate in East Jerusalem and Israeli settlement construction against US President Joe Biden in August.
“I have said ‘no’ to Biden three times,” he said during the September 9 meeting with leaders of the Yesha Council umbrella group, sources present told Zman Yisrael, the Hebrew-language sister site of the Times of Israel.
“On the Iranian issue, I can’t tell you exactly what – you asked for something and I said ‘no’. The second time it was about the Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem – it’s not going to happen. And the third time it was about settlements. “
The Biden government is conducting indirect negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program, which have stalled since June. The new administration has also announced plans to reopen its Jerusalem consulate, which had served the Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and which was in fact the US mission to the Palestinians.
When the Trump administration moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, the embassy’s mission was subordinated to the embassy as a unit for Palestinian affairs, which was viewed by Palestinians and others as a major blow to their diplomatic standing. Israel refuses to reopen the consulate.
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The government has also spoken out in favor of a two-state solution and is said to have repeatedly informed Jerusalem that it refused to build settlements.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (right) speaks during a meeting with United States President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, August 27, 2021 in Washington, DC. (GPO)
Bennett, a former rooftop settlement director opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state, assured settler leaders that construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem would not be slowed down despite US pressure.
“We know what the Democrats are saying,” said Bennett. “The settlements are illegal and all. They told me to build less. You guys know where I’m from. I am obliged to you – it should stay that way. ‘”
“You know what is most relevant [takeaway] from my visit to the United States? … If I am not to myself, who will it be to me, ”added the Prime Minister.
Settler leaders present at the meeting earlier this week said they were surprised by his openness.
“We were surprised by his openness,” said one official in attendance as two other attendees contrasted his approach with that of his more prudent predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Bennett is currently in the US before delivering his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (center) meets Sunday 26th Avi Ohayon / GPO)
Bennett will try to portray Israel during his speech as a global player whose expertise can provide solutions to pressing world problems, a senior adviser said on Sunday.
Bennett’s first speech at the UN General Assembly will focus on the “Israeli ethos of action, solutions, innovation and optimism,” the advisor said on a phone call from New York City. The speech will also address “Israel’s place in the less sympathetic region we live in and Israel’s place in the broader global context where there is good news and bad news”.
The Iranian nuclear program will also be the focus of the speech, with the message that the time has come for concrete action.
Bennett won’t talk much about the Palestinians, however, as he reflects his belief that Israel is an important multi-faceted country and that its role on the global stage should not be seen through the conflict with the Palestinians.
“Israel’s relationship with the world need not be defined by this particular issue,” said the adviser.
Lazar Berman contributed to this report.
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