Bennett Warns Palestinian State Would Bring Down Israeli Economy

Economy Minister Naftali Bennett warned on Monday that the threat to Israel’s economy will not come from an international economic boycott but from the creation of a Palestinian state, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Using charts showing Israel’s economic growth through the years, Bennett explained to a Jewish Home faction meeting that the economy fared better when there were no Israeli concessions that led to terror attacks.

Bennett argued that the security threat represented by a Palestinian state on Israel’s borders would translate into an economic threat as well.

“Imagine what the economy of Israel would look like if one missile each day hit Shenkar Street in Herzliya Pituah,” Bennett said, referring to an important high-tech center. “What would the economy of Israel look like if once a year a missile launched from Yehudah and Shomron brings down a plane headed to Ben Gurion Airport?”

Bennett said that when he was in high-tech, nearly all his company’s profits came from exports, so he understands the impact boycotts could have on business. Nevertheless, he insisted concessions to the Palestinians would be far more damaging economically.

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the January 21st, 2014 edition of Hamodia.