Knesset members Halevi and Illouz, leaders of the Sovereignty Lobby in the Knesset, in a joint interview on the stage of the Youth for Sovereignty Conference in Sderot.
Knesset members Dan Illouz and Amit Halevi, leaders of the Sovereignty Lobby in the Knesset, were interviewed on the stage of the Youth Sovereignty Conference about the essence and meaning of sovereignty. The interview was moderated by Itamar Fleischmann.
"Sovereignty, first of all, means that we define ourselves by ourselves," said MK Halevi, who believes that as the Israeli public defines itself more and more and its language becomes clearer, the vast majority of the work will be done. "Much depends on what we say in the international arena. If all we have to say in the war against Hamas is that we had no choice but to wage this war and that they started it, we are skewing the definitions and saying that there is another side, etc. We need to say, first of all, that this is our land, Gaza like Tel Aviv and Shilo."
MK Illouz agreed with these remarks and said that indeed the position of the gentiles can make matters easier for us, but even before Trump's election, he himself said that if sovereignty is not applied during this right-wing government's term, it will be a tragedy forever. "Ultimately, it's our decision." According to him, we are indeed in moments of historic opportunity from a political perspective.
To Fleischmann's question about the significance of sovereignty in a reality where settlement activity is ostensibly continuing to develop despite the difficulties, MK Halevi responded and reminded that the fighting in Gaza is also to defend the lives of Israeli citizens, but the war broke out under the headline 'Al-Aqsa Flood,' meaning a war over Jerusalem and over historical rights. "This is what the war is about, about our right to the land, about justice." To this, Halevi adds and states that applying sovereignty contains a statement whose meaning is absolute victory, as it contradicts the Muslim claim to rule over the entire world. It is a statement that means the Bible is what makes the ultimate determination, "This is victory over their abhorrent ideology. Therefore, sovereignty is needed now."
Regarding the correct way to apply sovereignty, gradually or in one great event, MK Illouz said that indeed there is broad consensus regarding significant parts of Judea and Samaria, and since that is the case, there is discussion whether it is correct to begin in those areas. But today with the historic opportunity of a completely right-wing government and American support that could help with this, in his opinion, it is correct to apply sovereignty over all of Judea and Samaria or at least over Area C.
Regarding the status of Arabs, MK Halevi says that one must distinguish between the status of the land and the status of the residents. It must be internalized that no foreign entity has standing in the land, but on the other hand, the people of Israel respect the rights of every person and every community individually. After applying sovereignty over the land, the apt status for Arab residents must be examined, and in his assessment, independent municipal government can be allowed under full Israeli rule.