Avigdor Lieberman Urges Supporters to Distribute Copies of Charlie Hebdo

Avigdor Lieberman called for the move
on 'free speech' grounds

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Move by Israeli foreign minister comes after Muslim complaints over book store's planned sale of French satrical magazine featuring caricature of Prophet Mohammed

Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's combative foreign minister, has urged supporters to distribute copies of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo depicting the Prophet Mohammed after a leading book store cancelled a planned gala sale following complaints by Muslims.

Mr Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, called for the move on "free speech" grounds after Steimatsky, Israel's largest book chain, called off the event at its flagship Ramat Gan shop, near Tel Aviv, after Muslim leaders of Israel's Arab community pleaded with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, to intervene.

The store imported 700 copies of the first edition of Charlie Hebdo produced following the murder of 12 people by French jihadists at the magazine's Paris offices on January 7. » | Robert Tait, Jerusalem | Sunday, January 25, 2015

Israël à la Suède : "Le Moyen-Orient est plus compliqué que les meubles Ikea"

LE POINT: Pour l'État hébreu, la décision de Stockholm de reconnaître l'État de Palestine "provoque de gros dommages et n'a aucune utilité".

Une décision "malheureuse", qui "renforce les éléments extrémistes et la politique de refus des Palestiniens", a jugé Israël jeudi après la reconnaissance par la Suède de l'État de Palestine. "Le gouvernement suédois doit comprendre que les relations au Moyen-Orient sont plus compliquées que le montage des meubles Ikea, et qu'il faut agir en ce domaine avec responsabilité et sensibilité", a déclaré le ministre israélien des Affaires étrangères, Avigdor Lieberman, dans un communiqué. » | Source AFP | jeudi 30 octobre 2014

Israel: Lieberman enthüllt Geheimgespräche mit arabischen Staaten

Außenminister Avigdor Lieberman: "Sie haben mein Wort"

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Avigdor Lieberman hetzt gerne gegen Araber. Umso überraschender sind die jüngsten Äußerungen des israelischen Außenministers. Seine Regierung führe Geheimverhandlungen mit Saudi-Arabien und Kuwait. Das Ziel ist die Aufnahme diplomatischer Beziehungen.

Jerusalem - Israels Außenminister Avigdor Lieberman hat erstmals bestätigt, dass seine Regierung Geheimgespräche mit verfeindeten arabischen Staaten führt, unter ihnen Saudi-Arabien und Kuwait. Ziel der Verhandlungen sei die Normalisierung der Beziehungen und die Aufnahme diplomatischer Kontakte, sagte Lieberman der Zeitung "Jediot Acharonot".

Grundlage der Gespräche seien die gemeinsame Furcht vor der wachsenden Stärke Irans und die Bedrohung durch islamistischen Extremismus, sagte der israelische Außenminister weiter. "Erstmals verstehen die Araber, dass nicht Israel oder die Juden oder der Zionismus die Bedrohung sind - sondern Iran, der weltweite Dschihad, die Hisbollah und al-Qaida", so Lieberman. » | syd/Reuters | Montag, 14. April 2014

Israel: FM Slams Deal with Iran: 'We're Entering New Era'

YNET NEWS: 'State of Israel will have to think things over,' FM Lieberman says of deal, claiming 'acceptance of right to enrichment opens arms race' with Iran. According to him, deal dangerous not only for Israel, but also for Egypt, Turkey, Gulf states. Lapid, Steinitz echo claims.

After weeks of an intensive campaign to dissuade Western powers from striking a deal with Iran failed to yield a result as world powers reached an agreement Sunday, Israel remains on the offensive.

Sunday morning, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said "there is no achievement in the is agreement. This is the biggest diplomatic victory Iran has known in recent years – since the Khameini regime (came to power)." When asked if the deal contains any positive aspect, Lieberman replied "no, there is no such thing."

The tone was echoed by a government spokesperson who said "This is a bad deal. It gives Iran exactly what it wanted – a significant reduction of sanctions while preserving the most significant part of its nuclear program," a official from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

"Israel does not see itself as bound by this bad, this very bad agreement that has been signed," Economy Minister Naftali Bennett added. » | Attila Somfalvi | Sunday, November 24, 2013

Israel Threatens to Overthrow Abbas Over Palestinian Statehood Bid

THE GUARDIAN: Foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman says alternative would be 'raising a white flag' as cabinet considers action after UN vote

Israel should topple the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, if he presses ahead with a request for recognition of the state of Palestine by the United Nations general assembly in two weeks' time, the hardline foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, has urged. In a draft paper distributed to the media, Lieberman argued that overthrowing the Palestinian leadership was Israel's only viable option, faced with the certainty of an overwhelming vote in support of the Palestinian bid.

"A reality in which the United Nations recognises a Palestinian state according to a unilateral process will destroy all Israeli deterrence and completely harm its credibility," the paper said.

"Although this step is not simple, considering the implications that Israel will have to deal with, the only other option in this case would be the toppling of Abbas's government … The other option, of containment or a softer response, would be seen as raising a white flag."

Lieberman's extreme stance comes as the Israeli cabinet is considering a range of punitive measures it could take in response to the vote, expected on 29 November. These include the full or partial annulment of the 1993 Oslo Accords, financial penalties and an acceleration of settlement expansion. » | Harriet Sherwood in Jerusalem | Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Turkey Calls on Israel to Sack Avigdor Lieberman
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Turkey has urged Israel to sack Avigdor Lieberman, its controversial foreign minister, escalating a protracted row that has badly damaged one of the Middle East's most important pro-western alliances.

Avigdor Lieberman suggested that Turkey was on the verge of succumbing to an Islamist-style revolution of the type that overthrew the Shah in Iran in 1979. Photo: The Daily Telegraph
In an interview on al-Jazeera television, Recept Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, sought to present Mr Lieberman as an out-of-control maverick who had damaged Israel's international standing.

Reflecting deep anger in Ankara over a series of attacks that Mr Lieberman has directed at Turkey in recent weeks, the prime minister suggested that there was little hope of ending the diplomatic crisis with Israel while the foreign minister remained in office.

"Lieberman is Israel's chief problem and the Israelis should get rid of them," the prime minister said. "This is their problem not ours. If Israel doesn't fire him, their problems will get worse." >>> Adrian Blomfield, Middle East Correspondent | Thursday, January 13, 2011

Israeli Foreign Minister Compares Turkey to 1979 Iran
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman has likened Turkey to Iran on the eve of its 1979 Islamic revolution, saying Ankara's policies were to blame for the breakdown of ties with the Jewish state.

Writing in Thursday's edition of the Jerusalem Post under the headline "We will not be Turkey's punching bag," Mr Lieberman offered to meet his Turkish counterpart as part of a "frank and honest dialogue" on how their alliance might be restored.

But in the latest rhetorical broadside to follow Israel's deadly interception of a Turkish-sponsored aid flotilla that tried to breach its Gaza blockade in May, far-rightist Mr Lieberman put the onus on the Islamist-rooted government in Ankara. >>> | Thursday, January 06, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Israel will 'not be Turkey's punching bag', foreign minister claims >>> Mark Weiss in Jerusalem | Thursday, January 06, 2011

Israel Suspends Britain Security Meeting
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Israel abruptly announced the suspension of a high-profile security meeting with Britain in a move that appeared calculated to embarrass William Hague on his first official visit to the country.

Avigdor Lieberman and William Hague in Jerusalem. Photo: The Daily Telegraph
The Israeli government caught British officials off-guard by declaring the next session of the annual “UK-Israel Strategic Dialogue” would be suspended until its ministers could travel to Britain without fear of arrest.

Israel has long been dismayed that pro-Palestinian activists in Britain have been able to use a loophole in extradition law to bring private prosecutions against visiting Israeli officials. The issue has strained relations between the two states with the Strategic Dialogue, which brings together senior officials from both states to discuss key issues such as security, terrorism and Iran, has falled vicitme [sic] to the tension.

British officials insisted that the Dialogue - established just two years - was not hostage to legislative changes to curb Universal Jurisdiction provisions. Until yesterday, the Foreign Office had been led to believe delays to the next session of the Strategic Dialogue, which should have been held last month, were because of Israeli scheduling problems.

But the timing of the Israeli announcement also suggested an attempt by hardline elements in the office of Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s hawkish foreign minister, to ambush Mr Hague.

The news was leaked by the foreign ministry before Mr Hague had met with Israeli leaders.

Compounding the Foreign Secretary’s discomfort, those behind the leak claimed that the decision had been taken because Britain had “done nothing” to address legal issues.

The move appeared to be part of an emerging strategy by Mr Lieberman and his aides to humiliate visiting European ministers. >>> Adrian Blomfield in Ramallah | Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Benjamin Netanyahu's Allies 'Threaten to Bring Down Israeli Government'
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Benjamin Netanyahu's fragile ruling coalition is facing its sternest test since coming to power last year after disgruntled cabinet colleagues threatened to bring down the government.

The leader of the hardline Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, was deliberately excluded from secret talks with Turkey last month despite holding the position of foreign minister. Photo: The Sunday Telegraph
The Israeli prime minister was allegedly treated to a barrage of taunts and insults from disgruntled members of the hardline Yisrael Beiteinu party during a stormy cabinet meeting to approve the country's 2010 budget.

The confrontation represented an escalation in a row that began when the party's leader, Avigdor Lieberman, was deliberately excluded from secret talks with Turkey last month despite holding the position of foreign minister.

The snub led to a rift between Mr Netanyahu and his mercurial coalition partner, who leads the second largest party in the government after the prime minister's Likud.

Having apologised, Mr Netanyahu may have thought that matters had been resolved -- until he headed into a 24-hour meeting on Friday to discuss the budget.

According to Israeli newspapers, one of Yisrael Beiteinu's five cabinet ministers launched into a tirade at the manner in which Mr Lieberman was being sidelined, saying: "You deceived us. That's not the way to work with us."

Another party official said that Mr Netanyahu was "expediting the end of his days as prime minister."

"If he does not learn to keep his word and to respect his most loyal partners, he will fall from power," the Maariv newspaper quoted the official as saying. >>> Adrian Blomfield in Jerusalem | Sunday, July 18, 2010

Israels Außenminister will Gaza an Hamas abgeben
WELT ONLINE: Überraschender Vorschlag aus Israel: Außenminister Lieberman schlägt vor, den Gaza-Streifen der radikal-islamischen Hamas zu überlassen.

Der israelische Außenminister Avigdor Lieberman hat mit Gedankenspielen zur Zukunft des Gazastreifens für Überraschung gesorgt. Der ultra-rechte Politiker will nach einem Zeitungsbericht die Verantwortung Israels für den Gazastreifen an die dort herrschende radikal-islamische Hamas-Organisation abtreten. Im Gegenzug werde Israel die Grenzen zu dem kleinen Palästinensergebiet hermetisch abriegeln, schreibt die Tageszeitung „Jediot Achronot“ am Freitag.

Eine internationale Schutztruppe soll nach Vorstellung Liebermans dann die Grenzübergänge überwachen und den Waffenschmuggel durch Tunnel unter der Grenze von Ägypten zum Gazastreifen unterbinden. Die bisherige Blockade wäre damit aufgehoben. Waren könnten direkt von Europa aus in den Gazastreifen transportiert werden. >>> dpa/pku | Freitag, 16. Juli 2010

Israël refuse tout gel de la construction à Jérusalem
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: PROCHE-ORIENT | Le chef de la diplomatie israélienne, Avigdor Lieberman, a réitéré mardi que son gouvernement est décidé à poursuivre la construction à Jérusalem, y compris dans la partie orientale arabe de la ville conquise et annexée par Israël en juin 1967.

"Nous ne pouvons pas geler la construction à Jérusalem, ni à l'est, ni à l'ouest, ni chez les Arabes, ni chez les Juifs, car c'est notre souveraineté en tant qu'Etat dans notre capitale qui est en jeu", a affirmé à la radio publique M. Lieberman, qui dirige le parti ultra-nationaliste Israël Beiteinou.

"La communauté internationale veut nous ramener aux lignes (frontières) de juin 1967, ce qui ne mettrait pas fin au conflit (avec les Palestiniens), mais le rapprocherait de la région de Tel-Aviv", a-t-il ajouté.

Selon lui, Israël a multiplié les gestes de bonne volonté durant l'année écoulée, "notamment en acceptant le principe d'un Etat palestinien, en gelant pour dix mois la construction (dans les colonies en Cisjordanie) et en levant de nombreux barrages routiers (en Cisjordanie), et c'est au tour des Palestiniens de faire des concessions". >>> AFP | Mardi 06 Avril 2010

Ministre israélien au centre d'une affaire de corruption
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: SCANDALE | La police israélienne a recommandé dimanche l'inculpation du ministre ultranationaliste des Affaires étrangères, Avidgor Lieberman, pour corruption et blanchiment d'argent.

"Le département des fraudes de la police a recommandé l'inculpation du ministre des Affaires étrangères Avigdor Lieberman accusé de blanchiment d'argent, de pots-de-vin et d'entrave à la justice", a déclaré ce responsable sous couvert de l'anonymat. >>> AFP | Dimanche 02 Août 2009

Israel Uses Hitler Picture to Sell Its Settlement Expansion
THE INDEPENDENT: Foreign minister orders diplomats to circulate photo ahead of discussions with President Obama's envoy

Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's foreign minister, has triggered fresh controversy by urging diplomats abroad to use a 1941 photograph of a Palestinian religious leader meeting Hitler to counter protests against a planned Jewish settlement in Arab East Jerusalem.

The hard right Mr Lieberman ordered the circulation to Israeli embassies of copies of the notorious wartime photograph of Hitler meeting the then Mufti of Jerusalem, an overt sympathiser with the Nazis who helped them raise an SS division in Bosnia. The move has alarmed some experienced Israeli diplomats who believe it will be counterproductive. It came after the US State Department expressed its disapproval to Michael Oren, the Israeli ambassador in Washington, over plans to build at least 20 apartments for Jewish settlers at the site of the old Shepherd's Hotel building in the inner East Jerusalem district of Sheikh Jarrah.

The building was once used as a headquarters of the Mufti, a member of the one of the most prominent Palestinian families in Jerusalem. The Palestinian nationalist Faisal al-Husseini, grand nephew of the Mufti, was a frequent interlocutor and strong advocate of peace moves with Israel in his later years until his death in 2001.

The plans for the Shepherd's Hotel site have highlighted a continuing rift between much of the international community and Israel over the latter's continued settlement building in East Jerusalem. The site was bought in the 1980s by a company controlled by Irving Moskowitz, a major benefactor of of right wing settler groups.

While the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deep in negotiations with US officials over the settlement freeze in the West Bank being demanded by President Obama, he made it clear this week he will not be deterred from sanctioning continued building for Jews in East Jerusalem. Israel's sovereignty over the whole of the city "cannot be challenged", he said. >>> Donald Macintyre in Jerusalem | Saturday, July 25, 2009

Grand Mufti Amin Al Husseini of Jerusalem

Hitler, der Großmufti und Islamo-Nazismus

Hitler and the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem

French-Israeli Spat over Comments
”You need to get rid of this man... You need to remove him from this position” – Attributed to President Nicolas Sarkozy

BBC: Israel's foreign ministry has accused France of unacceptable meddling in its internal affairs over a reported comment by President Nicolas Sarkozy.

He was quoted by Israeli TV calling for Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who leads a far-right party, to be sacked.

The plea, which has not been confirmed nor denied by officials, was allegedly made during a meeting with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu last week.

Israeli Arab leaders have accused the foreign minister of anti-Arab racism.

Ahmed Tibi, a member of the Israeli parliament for the United Arab List, welcomed President Sarkozy's comments, saying: "The international community has started to absorb the danger of the fascism" coming from Mr Lieberman.

However, the deputy leader of Mr Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party called the comments "grave and unacceptable".

Mr Lieberman's office said: "If this report is correct then this is an unacceptable interference in internal Israeli affairs."

Mr Netanyahu's office issued a statement saying the PM voiced his "full confidence" in Mr Lieberman during a meeting with ambassadors from European Union countries. >>> | Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Lieberman aborde une Europe hostile
leJDD.fr: Avigdor Lieberman débarque en Europe. Le sulfureux ministre israélien des Affaires étrangères, leader de l'extrême droite dans son pays, visitera Rome, Paris, Prague et Berlin pour conjurer l'isolement d'Israël. A priori, il inspire surtout la méfiance. Dans la capitale française, s'il sera reçu à l'Elysée, ce ne sera pas par Nicolas Sarkozy, mais par son bras droit, Claude Guéant.

Avigdor Lieberman risque de déchaîner les passions sur le Vieux continent. Photo grâce au JDD
Le voir ou pas? Mardi prochain, Avigdor Lieberman, ministre israélien des Affaires étrangères, sera reçu à l'Elysée... mais a priori par Claude Guéant, le secrétaire général, quand il avait demandé à rencontrer Nicolas Sarkozy! Le président français "passera une tête" dans le bureau, peut-être, dit-on à Paris, mais prendra sa décision au dernier moment, en fonction du comportement et des déclarations de Lieberman... "On aura une idée de l'état d'esprit de Lieberman avant son arrivée, puisqu'il passera d'abord par l'Italie, dit-on à l'Elysée. On avisera à ce moment-là."

La prudence témoigne de la méfiance qu'inspire Lieberman, ce populiste devenu chef de la diplomatie israélienne dans la coalition de Benjamin Netanyahou. Chef d'un parti ultranationaliste, Lieberman prône des rectifications de frontières qui placeraient en dehors d'Israël des zones habitées par la minorité arabe. Mais ce sont aussi les premières positions de tout le gouvernement israélien qui inquiètent un pouvoir français pourtant très attaché à l'Etat hébreu: le refus de Benyamin Netanyahou de souscrire aux principes de deux Etats - Israël et la Palestine - comme objectif d'un processus de paix a profondément irrité en Europe. >>> Par Claude ASKOLOVITCH (avec Christian BRUNEL en Israël), Le Journal du Dimanche | Dimanche 03 Mai 2009

Zwischen USA und Israel droht Eiszeit
DIE PRESSE: Die USA beharren auf einer Zwei-Staaten-Lösung im Nahen Osten, Israels neue Rechtsregierung ist dagegen. Ein Konflikt zwischen den Verbündeten ist programmiert.

Bild: Google Images
JERUSALEM. Den bisher engen Beziehungen zwischen Washington und Jerusalem droht eine Abkühlung. Diese Woche erst weilte US-Außenministerin Hillary Clinton zu einem Blitzbesuch in der Hauptstadt des Libanon, ohne jedoch, was ungewöhnlich ist, einen Abstecher nach Jerusalem zu machen. Offenbar scheut sie ein Treffen mit dem neuen Regierungschef Benjamin Netanjahu und ihrem weit rechts stehenden israelischen Amtskollegen Avigdor Lieberman. Kernpunkt des Zwistes zwischen Israel und den USA ist die Zwei-Staaten-Lösung, die die Regierung Netanjahu ablehnt, das Weiße Haus hingegen unverändert als einzige Möglichkeit für Frieden im Nahen Osten betrachtet.

Netanjahus Versuch, die Palästinenser mit dem Angebot zu ködern, er würde über zwei Staaten verhandeln – vorausgesetzt, die Führung in Ramallah erkennt Israel als jüdischen Staat an –, scheiterte wenig überraschend. „Nennt euch doch, wie ihr wollt, das geht mich nichts an“, konterte Palästinenserpräsident Mahmoud Abbas diese Woche flapsig. „Es gibt einen Staat Israel in den Grenzen von 1967, keinen Zentimeter mehr, und keinen weniger. Etwas anderes akzeptiere ich nicht.“ >>> Von Susanne Knaul (Die Presse) | Mittwoch, 29. April 2009

Emanuel Shilo – Opinion: In Praise of Lieberman
YNET NEWS: Foreign minister’s induction speech merely expressed what most Israelis think

This time, Lieberman did not speak with exaggerated zeal. He did not call for the bombing of Egypt’s Aswan dam. He merely expressed the opinion of most Israeli citizens, whose vote in the last elections proved that they too, just like Lieberman, no longer believe in peace that will be achieved through concessions.

The incoming foreign minister’s declaration that in exchange for peace with Syria he is only willing to give peace – and not the Golan Heights – is the consistent continuation of his declarations from the election campaign, which resulted in an especially impressive electoral outcome.

Meanwhile, the demand for reciprocity in the relationship with Egypt will also resonate positively among many Israelis. The Israeli public is not blind to what is going on. It recognizes the country through which rockets are being smuggled, to later explode on the streets of Sderot and Ashkelon.

When it comes to Lieberman, one of the less predictable politicians in Israel, it is difficult to know when we are dealing with a frank declaration of intentions and when is it merely a smoke screen. However, if his speech on Wednesday indeed outlined his future policy, he did well by stating this as early as his first day on the job. Reminder to Bibi >>> Emanuel Shilo | Saturday, April 4, 2009

Les turpitudes de Lieberman
leJDD.fr: Pour la deuxième journée consécutive, le nouveau ministre israélien des Affaires étrangères, Avigdor Lieberman, a été entendu par la police vendredi, dans le cadre d'une enquête sur une affaire de corruption. Le leader ultranationaliste nie toute implication et dénonce un piège politique. Il y a deux jours, il avait estimé qu'Israël n'était pas lié par le processus de paix lancé à Annapolis.

Avigdor Lieberman. Photo: Google Images
A peine ministre et déjà entendu par la police. Nommé mardi par Benjamin Netanyahou au poste de ministre des Affaires étrangères, Avigdor Lieberman a été entendu vendredi par la police dans le cadre d'une enquête sur une affaire de corruption. Et ce, pour la deuxième fois en deux jours. Selon le porte-parole de la police Mickey Rosenfeld, l'interrogatoire a duré cinq heures vendredi, sept heures et demie jeudi. Il devrait être prochainement réinterrogé.

L'enquête, ouverte depuis treize ans, porte sur des suspicions de pots-de-vin, blanchiment d'argent et abus de confiance. Le nouveau chef de la diplomatie israélienne avait déjà été interrogé dans ce cadre, avant sa prise de fonction. Selon le quotidien israélien Haaretz, le leader ultranationaliste aurait notamment reçu des pots-de-vin via une firme de consultants dirigée par sa fille, Michal. Cette dernière a également été interrogée par la police, ainsi que plusieurs de ses collaborateurs, avant les élections législatives anticipées du 10 février. La police n'a pas révélé les détails de l'enquête. Un porte-parole du département chypriote de lutte contre le blanchiment a toutefois révélé vendredi qu'elle lui avait réclamé des éclaircissements sur certaines transactions financières effectuées sur les comptes de Lieberman. >>> Par Marianne ENAULT, leJDD.fr | Vendredi 03 Avril 2009

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Broché) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Relié) >>>

Nahost: Israels Außenminister will nicht von Frieden reden
WELT ONLINE: Israels neuer Außenminister Avigdor Lieberman hat in nur zwei Tagen die Welt gegen sich aufgebracht. Mit aggressiven Äußerungen und der Weigerung, Truppen aus den Golanhöhen abzuziehen, scheint er den schwelenden Nahost-Konflikt noch anzufachen. Noch dazu droht dem Ex-Türsteher eine Anklage wegen Korruption.

Avigdor Lieberman, der neue Außenminister von Israel, ist ein ultrakonservativer Hardliner. Bild dank der Welt
Die scheidende Außenministerin Tzipi Livni saß mit versteinerter Miene im Publikum und lauschte einer umbarmherzigen Verurteilung ihrer Politik durch ihren Nachfolger, Avigdor Lieberman. Dabei hatte Livni sich zuvor geradezu versöhnlich gegeben: Über alle Differenzen hinweg teilten sie doch alle die Überzeugung, Israel müsse eine Heimat für das jüdische Volk sein. Auch in der Opposition werde sie, die ehemalige oberste Diplomatin, weiterhin dazu bereit sein, ihr Land im Ausland zu repräsentieren. Doch dann trat Lieberman aufs Podium.

Normalerweise erregen die Antrittsreden der Minister vor den Mitarbeitern ihrer Ministerien nicht allzu viel Aufsehen, richtungsweisende programmatische Äußerungen sind bei solchen Anlässen unüblich. Lieberman brach mit der Tradition: Weder der Osloer Friedensprozess noch alle weiteren Zugeständnisse hätten den Frieden näher gebracht, sagte er. Es würde auch nichts bringen, das Wort „Frieden“ jeden Tag 20 Mal in den Mund zu nehmen. Israel müsse aufhören, dauernd über „Frieden“ und „Zugeständnisse“ zu reden. >>> Von Michael Borgstede | Freitag, 3. April 2009

Israel's New Foreign Minister Dismisses Two-state Solution
THE INDEPENDENT: Far-right Lieberman rejects US-led talks with Palestinians

Far-right politician Avigdor Lieberman stunned diplomats in his first speech as Israel's foreign minister yesterday when he rejected the past year of US-led negotiations and said that a previous commitment Israel made to Palestinian statehood "had no validity".

Mr Lieberman reinforced fears that his government will steer the country in a more hawkish direction when he added that concessions to Palestinians would be "mistaken". The remarks contradicted Israel's previous commitments agreed at the Annapolis conference in 2007, and drew an immediate response from Mike Hammer, a spokesman for the US National Security Council, who emphasised that the US was "committed to the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security".

Expectations had been raised in recent weeks that Mr Lieberman would seek to soften his image, and that the new hardline government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu would avoid alienating the international community.

Mr Lieberman's speech came a day after Mr Netanyahu offered the Palestinians self-rule in place of the statehood that had at least rhetorically been on offer in a declaration accompanying the relaunch of peace talks under the leadership of Ehud Olmert at the Annapolis conference. But Mr Lieberman said "The Israeli government never ratified Annapolis, nor did parliament."

Mr Lieberman took issue with the very idea of concessions towards the Palestinians saying that "whoever thinks that through concessions peace will be achieved is mistaken. He is only inviting pressure and more wars." >>> By Ben Lynfield in Jerusalem | Thursday, April 2, 2009