Netanyahu: Feiglin shouldn't preach to us
Prime minister slams Likud hardliner and his supporters, says 'they want to teach me and Yaalon how to protect Jerusalem. We are not a marginal sect'
On Tuesday, the prime minister was the guest of Likud Central Committee members in the southern city of Ashkeklon and used the opportunity to slam party hardliner Moshe Feiglin and his supporters.
Netanyahu was accompanied to the meeting by Ministers Yaalon, Moshe Kahlon and Yisrael Katz, Deputy Minister Gila Gamliel and Knesset members.
The prime minister added that US President Barack Obama and European leaders were well aware of Israel's stand on Jerusalem.
Later Tuesday, Netanyahu was expected to attend a Likud convention in Tel Aviv's Exhibition Grounds, and on Wednesday he is scheduled to take part in additional Likud events across the country.
'We must focus on important issues'
The prime minister's address was relatively short, but he spoke enthusiastically about changing the constitution. "We must focus on the important issues of the State of Israel, we need more party members in order to be able to quietly handle important issues like the Iranian nuclear program and the talks with US President Obama. We need the government to focus on the important issues instead of having to run from place to place."
Minister Yaalon spoke about security-related issues and the calm in the region. "The Palestinians are afraid," he said, "because they know we will respond firmly to any demonstration of power."
Minister Katz spoke about the new roads paved in the country recently. "All these things were done with the prime minister's support," he said.
Ashkelon residents held a demonstration not far from the meeting's location in protest of the failure to begin the relocation of graves located under the Barzilai Medical Center's emergency room. The protest was organized by Rami Tal and dozens of other residents.
"We appreciate Netanyahu's decision to evacuate the tombs," Tal said, "but we think they are leaving us out to dry. Time is not on his side, and the work must start immediately. It's possible that Netanyahu is afraid of the haredi pressure and the threats to disrupt the works."
