NU/NRP Candidate: We Combine Unity and Political Savvy
Excerpts;
“‘We won’t join a government unless it is clear that if it chooses to carry out another withdrawal, it will first hold a national referendum.’ So says Uri Bank, #16 on the NU/NRP list of candidates.”
“There is no real difference between the Likud and Kadima,’ Bank told Arutz-7. ‘Both of them keep on talking about peace, agreements and what borders we will be willing to retreat to. We, on the other hand, say that the Palestinian Authority must be dismantled and totally disarmed, and that Israel must take control again over those areas.'”
“‘Under what circumstances would you agree to join a government led by Kadima or Likud?’ Arutz-7 asked.”
“Bank: ‘If it is made clear that if they want to give away parts of the Land of Israel, a referendum must be held, then we will agree to join.'”
“A-7: ‘So the government will say, fine, we will give away land, but we’ll hold a referendum first – and you will join such a government?'”
“Bank: ‘No, and that’s a fine difference. If it plans in advance to give away territory, we will not join. But if it turns out that based on developments, they want to consider that option, and find themselves shackled by their previous commitment to a referendum – we will join such a government.'”
“Bank did not deny that the National Union and the NRP don’t agree on every point: ‘Further on down the road, after the PA is dismantled, we [in the National Union] have a vision that may be different than that of the National Religious Party, and that is the plan outlined by MK Benny Elon called the Right Road to Peace.'”
Commentary;
Here’s where NU-NRP differs from the Real Right, from the “Orange Right.” NU-NRP seems willing to accept circumstances where, if a referendum of the people accepts further withdrawal from Jewish Land, that then the government is morality and legality permitted to relinquish land without regard to Torah Law. And this type of position held by NU-NRP is not exactly what this author would characterize as “political savvy.”
When involved in referendums about other parts of Eretz Yisrael, one gets wrapped up in dialogue regarding “pro and con” arguments and whether there is a consensus in favor or opposed to this or that part of the land, and what possible prejudices are behind it such as can be read here, here and here.
The Real Right, the Orange Right however holds that Torah Law is supreme in issues concerning the Jewish People and the Land of Israel; that there is a higher level of morality and legality which is not inherent in, or governed by a majority vote of the people. MB