Beitar Illit mayor rejects hollow sovereignty theatrics, demanding real commitment instead of exploiting Jewish communities politically.
The debate over Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria has taken a sharp internal turn, as Beitar Illit Mayor Meir Rubenstein publicly rebuked a proposed sovereignty bill—calling it political theater rather than a serious Zionist initiative.
The bill, introduced by Oded Forer, chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu faction, seeks to apply Israeli sovereignty to Beitar Illit. While sovereignty is broadly supported across Israel’s national camp, Rubenstein questioned the credibility and timing of Forer’s move.
In a sharply worded letter responding to Forer’s request for municipal backing, Rubenstein accused him of opportunism. He noted that throughout decades of service as mayor, Forer never offered tangible support to Beitar Illit or its predominantly haredi population—whether in infrastructure, budgets, or legislation.
Rubenstein posed a pointed question: why did Forer remain silent on sovereignty during years when his party sat in government? Was it fear of coalition partners such as the United Arab List and Mansour Abbas, Rubenstein asked, suggesting that today’s bill is aimed less at sovereignty and more at embarrassing a right-wing government.
The mayor went further, expressing concern that Forer’s past legislative efforts—particularly proposals perceived as hostile to the haredi community—cast doubt on his intentions. “I cannot ignore the irony,” Rubenstein implied, questioning whether sovereignty was being weaponized against the very Jewish residents who live on the land.
Crucially, Rubenstein did not reject sovereignty itself. Instead, he challenged Forer to prove sincerity. He demanded a written commitment that if the bill fails, applying sovereignty to Beitar Illit would become a non-negotiable condition for any future coalition Forer joins.
“If you commit to this in writing,” Rubenstein concluded, “we will know your words are genuine.”
The exchange underscores a broader truth in Israeli politics: sovereignty is not a slogan. For the communities living on the front lines of Jewish history in Judea and Samaria, it is a matter of permanence, security, and national responsibility—not a tool for political provocation.
