Danny Danon
Encyclopedia
Danny Danon is an Israel
i politician who serves as a member of the Knesset
for Likud
. He is chairman of World Likud and Chair of the Knesset Committee for Aliya (immigration), Absorption and Diaspora Affairs.
, to Joseph and Yoheved Danon. He attended Blikh high school and participated in the Betar
youth movement. Danon earned a Bachelor's degree
in International Affairs, and Master in Public Policy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
. After his national service
in the IDF
(1994–1996), Danon was sent by the Jewish Agency to Miami.
In 1996 he was appointed assistant to Likud MK Uzi Landau
. Later on he was appointed the Chairman of the World Betar
organization for a few years. Prior to the 2006 elections, Danon won 23rd spot on Likud's list in the party primaries. However, the party won only 12 seats, and Danon did not enter the Knesset.
In June 2006, after beating MK Yuval Steinitz
, Danon was elected Chairman of the World Likud organization. Danon was active against Prime-Minister Ariel Sharon
's disengagement plan
during the referendum conducted by the latter in the Likud party's central committee.
In July 2007 Danon, described as one of Binyamin Netanyahu's biggest critics from within the Likud, declared his candidacy for the Likud leadership election. He eventually finished third.
In 2008, Danon filed a petition to the Israeli High Court of Justice to rescind the citizenship of former MK Azmi Bishara
, who fled Israel after he was suspected of aiding Hizbullah, an enemy organization of Israel, during the Second Lebanon War. The petition was rejected.
Prior to the 2009 elections
he won twenty-fourth place on the Likud list, and entered the Knesset as the party won 27 seats.
In September 2009, during the annual UN General Assembly, MK Danny Danon toured the United States, meeting with Congressmen, leaders of the Jewish community and others on a public relations mission on Israel's behalf. Danon told American lawmakers that "U.S. pressure on Israel is hurting Israel and will do nothing to advance peace.”
One of his most controversial recent causes was making it legal to sue people for organising boycotts, LIKE products manufactured by settlers in the West Bank. He also wants to expel from the Knesset any member who joins any activity which would join the siege of Gaza.
In an August 2011 interview with Teymoor Nabili on Al Jazeera English, Mr. Danon said "There is place only for one state on the land of Israel.... I do not believe in a two-state solution."
Danon is married to Tali and father to three children AND lives in Mishmeret
.
to address the Knesset Immigration, Absorption, Diaspora Affairs Committee during his scheduled August visit, describing it as "an opportunity to explain to the world that we are not occupying anything.". The invitation came only four months after the Anti-Defamation League
denounced Beck for "bigoted ignorance" and six months after four hundred American rabbis published an open letter to Beck's employer, News Corp's Rupert Murdoch
, accusing Beck of "diminishing the memory and meaning of the Holocaust."
In response, U.S. Representative Nita Lowey
(D-NY), a staunch Congressional ally of Israel, told the Jerusalem Post that the invitation was "counterproductive and foolish" and that "It’s unfortunate that he’s getting this publicity." Danon replied, "I am proud to host and cooperate with anyone who supports us and expresses it in every forum possible."
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i politician who serves as a member of the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
for Likud
Likud
Likud is the major center-right political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin in an alliance with several right-wing and liberal parties. Likud's victory in the 1977 elections was a major turning point in the country's political history, marking the first time the left had...
. He is chairman of World Likud and Chair of the Knesset Committee for Aliya (immigration), Absorption and Diaspora Affairs.
Biography
Danon was born in Ramat Gan, IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, to Joseph and Yoheved Danon. He attended Blikh high school and participated in the Betar
Betar
The Betar Movement is a Revisionist Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 in Riga, Latvia, by Vladimir Jabotinsky. It has been traditionally linked to the original Herut and then Likud political parties of Israel, and was closely affiliated with the pre-Israel Revisionist Zionist splinter group...
youth movement. Danon earned a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in International Affairs, and Master in Public Policy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem ; ; abbreviated HUJI) is Israel's second-oldest university, after the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The Hebrew University has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. The world's largest Jewish studies library is located on its Edmond J...
. After his national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in the IDF
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
(1994–1996), Danon was sent by the Jewish Agency to Miami.
In 1996 he was appointed assistant to Likud MK Uzi Landau
Uzi Landau
Uzi Landau is an Israeli politician, member of the Knesset for Yisrael Beiteinu and Minister of National Infrastructure. Previously a Likud MK, he served as Minister of Internal Security between 2001 and 2003.-Biography:...
. Later on he was appointed the Chairman of the World Betar
Betar
The Betar Movement is a Revisionist Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 in Riga, Latvia, by Vladimir Jabotinsky. It has been traditionally linked to the original Herut and then Likud political parties of Israel, and was closely affiliated with the pre-Israel Revisionist Zionist splinter group...
organization for a few years. Prior to the 2006 elections, Danon won 23rd spot on Likud's list in the party primaries. However, the party won only 12 seats, and Danon did not enter the Knesset.
In June 2006, after beating MK Yuval Steinitz
Yuval Steinitz
Yuval Steinitz , is an Israeli academic and politician who has been a Knesset member for Likud since 1999. He is now the Finance Minister of Israel.-Biography:...
, Danon was elected Chairman of the World Likud organization. Danon was active against Prime-Minister Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon is an Israeli statesman and retired general, who served as Israel’s 11th Prime Minister. He has been in a permanent vegetative state since suffering a stroke on 4 January 2006....
's disengagement plan
Israel's unilateral disengagement plan
Israel's unilateral disengagement plan , also known as the "Disengagement plan", "Gaza expulsion plan", and "Hitnatkut", was a proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, adopted by the government on June 6, 2004 and enacted in August 2005, to evict all Israelis from the Gaza Strip and from...
during the referendum conducted by the latter in the Likud party's central committee.
In July 2007 Danon, described as one of Binyamin Netanyahu's biggest critics from within the Likud, declared his candidacy for the Likud leadership election. He eventually finished third.
In 2008, Danon filed a petition to the Israeli High Court of Justice to rescind the citizenship of former MK Azmi Bishara
Azmi Bishara
Azmi Bishara , a former member of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, is a Palestinian intellectual, academic, politician, and writer.In 2007, Bishara fled Israel and resigned from the Knesset after being questioned by police on suspicion of aiding and passing information to the enemy during...
, who fled Israel after he was suspected of aiding Hizbullah, an enemy organization of Israel, during the Second Lebanon War. The petition was rejected.
Prior to the 2009 elections
Israeli legislative election, 2009
Elections for the 18th Knesset were held in Israel on 10 February 2009. These elections became necessary due to the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as leader of the Kadima party, and the failure of his successor, Tzipi Livni, to form a coalition government...
he won twenty-fourth place on the Likud list, and entered the Knesset as the party won 27 seats.
In September 2009, during the annual UN General Assembly, MK Danny Danon toured the United States, meeting with Congressmen, leaders of the Jewish community and others on a public relations mission on Israel's behalf. Danon told American lawmakers that "U.S. pressure on Israel is hurting Israel and will do nothing to advance peace.”
One of his most controversial recent causes was making it legal to sue people for organising boycotts, LIKE products manufactured by settlers in the West Bank. He also wants to expel from the Knesset any member who joins any activity which would join the siege of Gaza.
In an August 2011 interview with Teymoor Nabili on Al Jazeera English, Mr. Danon said "There is place only for one state on the land of Israel.... I do not believe in a two-state solution."
Danon is married to Tali and father to three children AND lives in Mishmeret
Mishmeret
Mishmeret is a moshav in central Israel. Located in the Sharon plain near Netanya and the HaSharon Junction and covering 3,800 dunams, it falls under the jurisdiction of Lev HaSharon Regional Council. In 2009 it had a population of 972....
.
Glenn Beck Controversy
In June 2011, after an appearance on his Fox News program, Danon invited the right-wing American political commentator Glenn BeckGlenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
to address the Knesset Immigration, Absorption, Diaspora Affairs Committee during his scheduled August visit, describing it as "an opportunity to explain to the world that we are not occupying anything.". The invitation came only four months after the Anti-Defamation League
Anti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
denounced Beck for "bigoted ignorance" and six months after four hundred American rabbis published an open letter to Beck's employer, News Corp's Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
, accusing Beck of "diminishing the memory and meaning of the Holocaust."
In response, U.S. Representative Nita Lowey
Nita Lowey
Nita Melnikoff Lowey is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She previously represented the 20th district from 1989 to 1993.-Early life, education and career:...
(D-NY), a staunch Congressional ally of Israel, told the Jerusalem Post that the invitation was "counterproductive and foolish" and that "It’s unfortunate that he’s getting this publicity." Danon replied, "I am proud to host and cooperate with anyone who supports us and expresses it in every forum possible."