Leader of Israeli settler movement dies (AP)
JERUSALEM ? Hanan Porat, a driving force behind Israel's settlement of the West Bank, died Monday of cancer. He was 67.
Porat, a former Israeli lawmaker, was a founder of the now-defunct movement Gush Emunim ? Hebrew for "the bloc of the faithful" ? a messianic movement is committed to settling land Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. Followers believe God promised the West Bank to the Jewish people, and they set out to cement Israeli sovereignty there by creating a large-scale civilian presence.
But even before Gush Emunim was founded in 1974, Porat was a leading figure in the settlement movement launched after Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in 1967. He helped establish the first settlement in the West Bank, Kfar Etzion, on the site of a kibbutz that had been captured by the Jordanian army in 1948.
He later helped create the Jewish enclave in the biblical city of Hebron, which is currently one of the most radical settlements. Hebron's ancient Jewish community was driven out after an Arab massacre in 1929.
Porat later turned to politics, and was elected to Israel's parliament in 1981, serving, except for a four-year hiatus, through 1999.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his sorrow over Porat's passing.
"Hanan Porat dedicated his life to building up the Land of Israel, and to educating generations of students about religious Zionism and loving the Land of Israel and the Jewish People," Netanyahu said in a statement. "I first met Hanan almost 40 years ago and was immediately impressed by his Zionist fervor and his deep commitment to restoring the Jewish People to its Land. This fervor did not lessen and accompanied him until his last day," Netanyahu said.
Today, about half a million Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Israel withdrew settlers and soldiers from Gaza in 2005 ? a move Porat strongly opposed.
Israeli settlements, built on land the Palestinians claim for a future state, are widely denounced internationally. Continued construction there has been the latest wedge in relations with the Palestinians, who refuse to negotiate peace until the building stops.
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MHProNews received a statement from Cavco CEO and Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Chairman Joe Stegmayer, announcing the departure of Thayer Long as MHI?s executive director. Per Stegmayer?s statement, ?As announced today at the MHI Board Meeting in Phoenix, Thayer Long will be leaving MHI to pursue another opportunity. Over the next several weeks, we will be working with Thayer, the MHI leaders and our excellent staff on a smooth transition of Thayer?s duties. The MHI leadership will also begin the search for Thayer?s replacement. Rest assured, MHI has extremely capable and professional staff. ?They will continue to move the priorities of the association forward and will continue to serve our members well.? An MHI source stated Long would remain through October before departing. ?This is what life is like in the association (world),? an MHI staffer said, who wished Long well while expressing confidence in the future. ?In a typical comment, MHI member/retailer Doug Gorman said, ?I have admiration for Thayer. ?He stepped into the position at a time that was very challenging. Revenues were in decline. ?He rose to the occasion, stepped up to the plate and performed remarkably well?He probably saw something that was good for him, and he will succeed because he is hard working. ?I absolutely wish him well.? MHI PAC Chair, Rick Rand of Great Value Homes said, ?Very happy for Thayer, he chose to make a career move. ?Thayer has been with the association for years, and has been a great asset, stepped up all the time in his duties with MHI. ?It was great to work with him. I am sorry to see him go, but that is the nature of this business. ?We can only wish him the very best.? ?A multi-decades veteran industry contacted MHProNews, speculating that Long?s departure was due to his seeing ?the hand writing on the wall.? ?When asked, Rand?s reply to that comment was, ?We (MHI) are now in better financial shape than we have been in years, MHI is in a great position. ?As is the MHI PAC.? Rand pointed to the MHI leadership, saying ?We need to remember to give credit to the executive committee; Joe Stegmayer, Don Glisson, Jr., Kevin Clayton, Nathan Smith and Ken Cashin, the immediate past chair.? ?I talked to Thayer several times during his tenure at MHI. ?He was always?professional, pleasant, and cooperative. ?We wish him and MHI well during?this time of transition? said John Bostick of Sunshine Homes and MHARR Chairman.?MHProNews will continue to bring you updates on this and related developments.