Israeli Minister: Must Stop Calling Ourselves 'Occupiers'

Thursday, December 26, 2013 |  Yossi Aloni  Israel Today

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Settlements

Israeli Tourism Minister Uzi Landau earlier this month inaugurated a new visitors center in the Jewish “settlement” of Sussia south of Hebron, and said the Jewish state must stop referring to itself as an “occupier” before it can expect anyone else to do the same.

“In the past we had arguments [over whether or not to remain here], but we always said it is our [land],” noted Landau. “But for the past 20 years we have been calling ourselves ‘occupiers,’ so what do we expect from everyone else?”

According to Landau, Israel needs to do a full 180 degree turn in how it approaches the subject. “This is our land! This is our homeland!” the minister stated emphatically. “We need to build without reservation and act as though we belong here.”

Landau urged Israelis and Jews everywhere to get back in touch with their roots, to realize the nation that God intended them to be, by visiting the ancient places like Sussia.

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