Yesha Council Head Yigal Dilmoni spoke at the Arutz Sheva Jerusalem Conference in NYC on Sunday.
“Claims that Jerusalem Day (the Six Day War) began the Israeli occupation of Judea and Samaria are not true,” Dilmoni told the audience. “Exactly the opposite took place. Israel ended the illegal Jordanian occupation. Judea and Samaria were promised to the Jewish people in the Balfour Declaration, the San Remo Conference, and the League of Nations 1922 resolution.”
“BDS is part of a larger antisemitic campaign against Israel,” continued Dilmoni. “If their boycotts are effective, thousands of Arab workers will lose their jobs. So what’s the logic behind their campaign? Whom are they really trying to hurt with their fake boycott?” he asked.
“Today, there are one thousand factories in industrial zones in Judea and Samaria. 30,000 PA residents work there. They make 2.5 times more than the average salary in the Palestinian Authority. They’re considered rich where they live. That’s why every day, hundreds stand in line so they can go to work at these factories. So in truth, BDS is hurting PA Arabs – not Israelis,” pointed out Dilmoni.
“We started building Judea and Samaria 56 years ago,” he continued. “Thank G-d today it’s home to over half a million Israelis living in over 150 beautiful communities. “We are explaining the facts and fighting fake news, and attempts to boycott Israel.”
“Together we will make Israel great again!” Dilmoni finished the speech, quoting former US President Trump.