Cabinet Communique
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Advisor)

At the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday, 22 November 2015):

1. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks:

"First, I would like to comment on the KaDeWe department store in Berlin.
This department store had been owned by Jews; the Nazis took it. Absurdly,
the store is now labeling products from communities in Judea, Samaria and
the Golan Heights. It started with labeling products and now we are told
that the products have been removed from the shelves – a boycott in every
respect. We strongly protest this step, which is unacceptable morally,
historically and on its merits. We expect the German government, which came
out against product labeling, to act on this grave matter.

We will continue to fight terrorism. Over the weekend, I held discussions
with the defense Minister, the Public Security Minister and the IDF
Chief-of-Staff. I instructed the security agencies to coordinate their
efforts in the Hebron district, from which most or all of the attacks are
originating. We are carrying out – inter alia – arrests and roadblocks there
and are boosting our forces. We did this in Jerusalem from which most of the
attacks had originated.

I would like to commend the security forces for their strong
counter-terrorist actions, including the apprehension of the murderers. I
would also like to express a word of appreciation to the citizens of Israel.
We are facing terrorism by individuals – this is not terrorism by
organizations, this is terrorism by individuals, occasionally with kitchen
knives, who are incited mainly by social media. It is very difficult to
hermetically prevent the arrival of such knife-wielding, or other,
terrorists to this or that place. Therefore, in addition to the actions that
we are taking in the centers of terrorism themselves, in addition to the
actions by the security forces, citizens must be on maximum alert. I must
say that we are showing such awareness, with considerable resourcefulness
and courage, and this is deserving of all praise. We are still fighting and
will continue to do so. This struggle has continued for nearly 100 years,
but we will overcome this wave as well.

Last week, indictments were filed against Israeli citizens who were planning
to join ISIS. Also, I have asked the Attorney General to advance steps to
revoke the citizenship of those who join ISIS. Whoever joins ISIS will not
be an Israeli citizen. And if he leaves the country's borders, he will not
return. I think this lesson is becoming increasingly clear throughout the
international arena and it is fitting that we lead this effort as well.

Finally, I – and I am sure on behalf of all members of the government –
would like to note our appreciation of the fact that Jonathan Pollard is out
of prison. While he is not completely free, he is no longer behind prison
walls. As someone who was very active for his release over the years with US
presidents Clinton and Obama, I regret that we were not able to get him out
earlier. I almost succeeded once or even twice, but I'm glad he was released
to freedom, relatively. In the future, I am certain that we will see him in
the country. I am certain that I speak for all ministers and for all
Israelis, that we wish him a life of joy, peace and freedom".

2. The Cabinet decided to transfer certain powers granted to the Economy
Minister under the 1969 Labor Courts Law to Minister David Azoulay as long
as the Prime Minister serves as Acting Economy Minister. Click here for
further details.

3. The Cabinet appointed a ministerial committee on the struggle against
violence.

4. The Cabinet appointed a committee of ministry director generals on the
issue of the restoration of Jewish property.

5. The Cabinet established a fund to assist needy Torah students and their
families.

6. The Cabinet approved the establishment of five new communities in the
Negev: Shelah, Neveh Gurion, Daniel, Eshel Hanasi and Diah.