Activists: Bibi, Stand Strong
ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS (ARUTZ SHEVA): As Netanyahu returned to Jerusalem, activists stood on the light-rail bridge at the entrance to the city and waved signs supporting the prime minister in the face of American pressure. Banners proclaimed “Obama, No You Can't,” and “We will Safeguard Jerusalem.”

Activists, members of the Zionist student movement Im Tirtzu, explained, "We came here tonight to welcome Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and to support him and the cabinet in face of the pressure from America, and the chutzpa of US President Obama, who is basically asking Israel to sacrifice its greatest national interests.” >>> Maayana Miskin | Friday, March 26, 2010

Binyamin Netanyahu: We will Continue to Build in Jerusalem
Photograph: Times Online
TIMES ONLINE: Binyamin Netanyahu insisted today that he will not halt building projects in east Jerusalem, despite calls by the US for him to do so.

The defiant statement came after the Israeli Prime Minister returned from a bruising visit to the White House, where he was given a public dressing down for his controversial settlement policy.

"The Prime Minister's position is that there is no change in Israel's policy on Jerusalem that has been pursued by all governments of Israel for the last 42 years," his office said in a statement.

Those include implementing a strict freeze on construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Israeli troops withdrawing to areas they occupied before the beginning of the Palestinian Intifada ten years ago, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Mr Netanyahu's spokesman, Nir Hefez, said that the US had not agreed to allow Israeli to continue building in east Jerusalem, which was captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and is now home to 200,000 Israelis. He had earlier hinted that such a deal was possible, but later retracted the statement.

Analysts in Israel agree that Mr Netanyahu faces a choice of which crisis he wants to contend with: he can bow to the US demands and risk a split with hardline nationalists and ultra-Orthodox parties in his coalition, or stick to his guns and face down an increasingly hostile US administration at a time when Israel needs US backing to tackle a potentially nuclear Iran. >>> James Hider in Jerusalem | Friday, March 26, 2010

Israel 'Spits in Obama's Eye' by Announcing New Settlements in East Jerusalem
THE TELEGRAPH: Israel was accused of "spitting in Obama's eye" after it announced plans to build 100 more settler homes in east Jerusalem just hours after Israel's prime minister met the US president at the White House.

Municipal officials approved the Jewish housing project in one of Jerusalem's most volatile Palestinian suburbs just hours before Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, met Mr Obama for emergency talks.

US officials had hoped that a meeting between the two leaders could defuse tensions triggered when Israel announced plans to build 1,600 new homes in east Jerusalem's Ramat Shlomo settlement during a visit earlier this month by Joe Biden, the US vice-president.

But in the days leading up to the meeting, Mr Netanyahu defiantly rejected US demands to reverse the expansion of Ramat Shlomo and halt all building in east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day war.

That Israel then approved a new building project, the suspension of which the United States had demanded as long ago as last July, can only have infuriated Mr Obama.

The meeting at the White House was the iciest between an American president and an Israeli premier in recent years. Mr Netanyahu was treated to a series of small but calculated diplomatic slights that left him in no doubt of the White House's displeasure.

There were no photographs before or after the meeting, no questions from reporters and no press briefing or "readout" afterwards.

The “honest and straightforward discussion” ended with areas of “disagreement”, according to Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman, who added that US officials were seeking “clarification” of Israel’s plan for a further expansion of Jewish housing.

But an Israeli government spokesman sought to put a brave face on the encounter, saying: “the atmosphere was good”.

But the evidence suggested it was anything but. The meeting itself was in two parts: an initial 89-minute session followed by a further 35 minutes at Mr Netanyahu's request, after he had consulted his officials. >>> Adrian Blomfield in Jerusalem and Toby Harnden in Washington | Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Verbunden:

Kühler Empfang für Netanyahu im Weissen Haus: Israels Regierungschef verteidigt Wohnungsbau in Ostjerusalem >>> ddp/sda/Reuters | Mittwoch, 24. März 2010

Silence That Speaks Volumes: Blackout as Israel’s Leader Leaves White House
An ultra-Orthodox boy looks at a poster showing President Obama receiving a medal from an unidentified Arab leader. The Hebrew on the poster reads: 'Warning! PLO agent in the White House!' Photograph: Times Online
TIMES ONLINE: Two separate meetings between President Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, failed today to produce so much as an official photograph as a deep chill settled over US-Israeli relations and secrecy shrouded any efforts to repair them.

The Israeli Prime Minister was due to fly home from Washington after three days marked by fierce Israeli defiance on the issue of settlements and an extraordinary silence maintained by both sides after his three-and-a-half hour visit to the White House.

The meeting was overshadowed by Israeli approval for 20 new apartments being built for Jews in Arab east Jerusalem — a move denounced by one senior US official as “exactly what we expect Prime Minister Netanyahu to get control of”.

White House staff denied Mr Netanyahu the usual photo opportunities afforded a visiting leader, issued only the vaguest summary of their talks — let alone a joint statement — and reversed a decision to release an official photo of their meetings. >>> Giles Whittell, Washington | Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Israeli Prime Minister Visits Scene of Gay Shooting
PINK NEWS: The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has visited the Tel Aviv gay youth centre where two people were killed last weekend.

Speaking today at the scene, he said the shooting bore "the markings of a terror attack".

Two people, a 16-year-old girl and a 26-year-old man, were killed and 15 were injured when a masked gunman opened fire on the LGBT venue on Saturday.

Police are still hunting for the gunman. The prime minister assured those present the police had his support.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu said: "We need to do this and we must bring security back into our lives. This is not just a blow to the gay-lesbian community. This is a blow to all Israeli youth and Israeli society."

He added: "Anyone who has suffered from gratuitous hatred, as an individual or in a group, knows how painful and unacceptable it is. This is something we must uproot from society as much as possible," he added. "I think Israeli society has made progress towards tolerance, and I hope and feel certain that we can make further progress."

The event was closed to the media. It was the first time an Israeli prime minister has visited a gay organisation. [Source: PinkNews] Staff Writer | Thursday, August 06, 2009

Bibi, Wake Up
YNET NEWS: Obama’s speech in Cairo presents Netanyahu with unequivocal dilemma

President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo is supposed to be no less than a terribly loud bell ringing through the corridors of Israel’s political establishment. For those who thus far did not understand – or did not wish to understand – the winds blowing from Washington, Obama left no room for doubt: The United States supports Israel, yet the era of trickery, promises, and the gradual annexation in Judea and Samaria is over. The time has come for action; the time has come for moving towards a resolution of the Palestinian problem. And in Obama’s view, there is only one solution: A Palestinian state.

Beyond its expected effect within the Muslim world, the Cairo speech is no less than an effort to outline a path for Israel’s political establishment; a clear signal where things are headed. Ever since Obama’s election, officials in Jerusalem have sought ways to explain, interpret, and circumvent what has been obvious for a while now. With arrogance and contempt, officials here attempted to downplay the tension vis-à-vis the Americans, blur the disagreements, and hide behind various “natural growth” arguments. Now, Obama has made it clear: Wasting time and continued settlement construction are out; negotiations on the establishment of a Palestinian state are in. This message will affect Israel’s public and political discourse in the near future.

For Netanyahu, this is a major junction that offers only two directions: A collision course with the world’s greatest power, which will lead to Israel’s isolation and ostracism in the international arena – or a dramatic policy shift [e] that will exact difficult political prices. In other words: The prime minister must decide whether he’s going with Likud’s more rightist members, or with Obama.

When these are the options, Netanyahu has reason for concern in political terms. Wherever he turns, he will be hurt: If he folds in the face of the American pressure and modifies the narrative that has been accompanying him since he took office, he will encounter domestic resistance and an “Intifada” on the part of the Right and the settlers. Yet if he insists on going along with the conservative line that characterizes him and his government, in the face of the American pressure, he will quickly lose the Israeli public’s support, and possibly also the support of the Labor party, which is committed to the two-state solution. In both cases, Bibi’s current coalition may be shaken up. >>> Attila Somfalvi | Saturday, June 06, 2009

Bibi Netanyahu: Likud Anglos

Isi Leibler’s Opinion: Can Bibi Do It?
YNET NEWS: Will Benjamin Netanyahu be able to overcome major challenges ahead?

Tzipi Livni is betraying her primary electoral pledge to promote the national interest above any personal or political ambitions. Worse, she is basing her strategy on the premise that under the pressure of events, a narrow Netanyahu government will soon collapse which is tantamount to wishing a plague on all our houses to further her own selfish benefit.

Today, in the midst of a genuine state of national emergency, Livni is brazenly displaying contempt to her constituents, the vast majority of whom passionately yearn for a broad national unity government. She has also deprived us of the opportunity of instituting desperately needed reforms in the electoral system and promoting legislation to bring an end to the exclusive and inflexible haredi control of marriage and conversion. In addition, she has enabled small one-dimensional parties to continue leveraging their sectional interests at the expense of the community.

Livni must regard us as imbeciles when she hypocritically pleads that joining a Netanyahu government would compromise her “political principles.” We are aware that she had no problem in acquiescing to virtually all of Lieberman’s demands when she begged him to support her. The reality is that her party is overwhelmingly dominated not by ideologues, but by pragmatists and yes, opportunists, few of whom would have moral dilemmas in joining a government headed by Netanyahu.

Livni also alleges that her main obstacle against joining the government is that Netanyahu refuses to utter the mantra “two states for two peoples." Yet, Netanyahu has repeatedly expressed his intention to continue negotiations and reiterated his preference not to rule over Palestinians. Besides, as foreign minister, Livni had years of negotiations to adopt a two-state plan. Not only did she fail, but to this day we are still in the dark as to what concessions she offered Mahmoud Abbas behind locked doors.

All we know is that like Hamas, Fatah still adamantly refuses to recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people, continues to insist on the right of return for Arab refugees, and demand that we retreat to the indefensible ‘67 borders. It is also now abundantly clear that it is only a matter of time before Fatah becomes submerged into Hamas. Would any responsible Israeli political party conceivably endorse the creation of such a terrorist state?

Prophets of doom

In the midst of this maelstrom, we have a new American administration determined to demonstrate progress and “engage” diplomatically with rogue states like Syria and Iran. A nuclear Iran unquestionably poses an acute existential threat to us and Netanyahu is utterly sober when he appeals for unity in the face of the greatest threat confronting Israel since 1948. This is surely a time when all responsible politicians should set aside their differences and create a unity government.

Netanyahu, who has consistently been vilified as an opportunist, must be commended for displaying leadership, acting like a statesman and promoting the national interest. Alas, he is being forced to establish a narrow government which will be dependant on the support of Yisrael Beiteinu and the haredi and small right-wing parties. This is hardly ideal but there is no alternative. >>> Isi Leibler | Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>

Ophir Falk – Opinion: No Nonsense Government
YNET NEWS: Netanyahu fully understands he must tackle key issues of our time

Photo of Bibi Netanyahu courtesy of YNet News
Winston Churchill was probably the greatest leader of the 20th century. Yet, while leading his people during the dark days of the Battle of Britain and on various other fronts, he earned little recognition from his constituency, losing their vote after the war. Years after the dust of World War II had settled, the British people acknowledged his feats and re-elected him for office.

It is no coincidence that a black-and-white portrait of the legendary British PM decorates the desk of Israel's prime minister-designate. Benjamin Netanyahu's first term as PM from 1996 to 1999 will not be remembered as Israel's finest hour, but he is determined to make his upcoming term just that.

Raised in an ultra-Zionist home, Netanyahu is a leader with vision and historic perspective. He fully understands that he has the responsibility and opportunity to tackle the key issues of our time, most and foremost ensuring Israel’s security and prosperity.

On February 10th 2009, the people of Israel spoke at the ballots. Some were at first reluctant to understand the statement made but today matters are clearer to all. Benjamin Netanyahu was given a clear mandate to form a government and steer Israel in the right direction.

There is a wide public consensus concerning the challenges that Israel must address immediately. Topping the list are a) confronting the Iranian threat; b) dismantling the Hamas threat; and c) preventing a deep economic depression.

The establishment of a Palestinian state is not on that list. >>> Ophir Falk | Monday, March 2, 2009

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The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>

Livni refuse d'entrer au gouvernement Nétanyahou
LE FIGARO: Cette fois, c'est un non définitif : la chef du parti centriste Kadima a officiellement refusé de participer au gouvernement, laissant Benjamin Nétanyahou isolé pour former un nouveau cabinet.

Un non ferme et définitif. La chef du parti centriste Kadima, Tzipi Livni, a annoncé vendredi qu'elle refusait de participer au gouvernement dirigé par le premier ministre israélien de droite Benjamin Nétanyahou, à l'issue d'une rencontre organisée dans un grand hôtel de Tel Aviv. Un refus qui fait écho à celui du chef du parti travailliste et ministre sortant de la Défense, Ehoud Barak, exprimé le 23 février dernier.

La ministre sortante des Affaires étrangères Tzipi Livni avait déjà refusé une première fois, mais en laissant la porte ouverte et en acceptant une nouvelle rencontre avec Nétanyahou. Vendredi, elle a finalement décidé de couper court aux discussions en rejetant de façon ferme l'offre du chef du Likoud. >>> Flore Galaud (lefigaro.fr) avec AFP | Vendredi 27 Février 2009

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

Aluf Benn: Bibi Deserves a Chance
HAARETZ: Benjamin Netanyahu deserves a chance to lead Israel on the basis of his worldview and with the coalition he forms, with or without Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak. Netanyahu is coming back to power a decade after he was toppled in elections, and not because the Israelis have fallen in love with his ideas and personality. His dream of bringing to Likud a large bloc of centrist votes, like Ariel Sharon did in 2003, did not happen. But in the 18th Knesset no coalition is possible without Likud.

Netanyahu deserves a chance because his return to power exemplifies the democratic game. There is no other candidate whose views, skills and weaknesses are better known to the public. After his 2006 defeat he did not "tend to his affairs at home." Instead, he waited, as a leader of the opposition, for the fall of Ehud Olmert. Netanyahu also excelled in political maneuvering when he cut a deal with Shas and prevented Livni from becoming prime minister after Olmert resigned.

Netanyahu deserves a chance because for years he has warned against an Iranian nuclear bomb, which he believes will pose the worst threat to Israel's existence ever. Netanyahu felt that some of his predecessors could have done more to curb the Iranian threat. Now he has been given that responsibility. He wants to convince Barack Obama that his presidency will be judged by the results of his dealings with Iran. Netanyahu will not oppose dialogue between the United States and Iran. During their meeting last summer he told Obama: "The target is more important than the method." In Netanyahu's opinion, Obama will try to talk with the Iranians for two to three months, and will find out - as expected - that they are toying with him. Then he will turn to a more aggressive option. The United States has many ways to strike Iran, and Obama has greater legitimacy to use force than his predecessor, who was mixed up in Iraq. From Netanyahu's point of view, dealing with Iran is the key to progress in the diplomatic process. The depth of Israel's concessions in the territories will reflect the severity of the blow against Iran's nuclear program. >>> By Aluf Benn | Wednesday, February 25, 2009

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Binyamin Netanyahu Gets Green Light from Avigdor Lieberman to Lead Israel
TIMES ONLINE: The Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu was in pole position to become Israel's next Prime Minister despite narrowly failing to win the country's general election, after an ultra-nationalist political leader pledged to back his coalition today.

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beitenu party, which finished third, said he would only support a government led by Mr Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party, but which also included the centrist Kadima party led by the election-winner, Tzipi Livni.

Whether Ms Livni, whose party narrowly won the February 10 poll by 28 seats to 27 for Likud, would agree to serve in a government with Mr Netanyahu as Prime Minister remains to be seen.

However, she has previously said that she would be prepared to lead a government which included Likud as a junior partner, with Mr Netanyahu presumably in a senior Cabinet role.

A right-leaning Netanyahu-led government would be regarded with gloom by President Obama and the so-called Quartet of international mediators, who had hoped to accelerate the Middle East peace process. >>> David Byers | Thursday, February 19, 2009

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback & Hardback) – Free delivery >>>

Livni: «Non sarò l'alleata di Netanyahu»
CORRIERE DELLA SERA: La leader di Kadima lo ha scritto in un biglietto a Olmert al Consiglio dei ministri: «Basta fare la numero due»

GERUSALEMME - «Non ho alcuna intenzione di entrare in un governo di unità nazionale guidato da Bibi», vale a dire Benyamin Netanyahu. Tzipi Livni, leader di Kadima, non usa mezzi termini. Durante il Consiglio dei ministri, ha scritto un bigliettino al premier Ehud Olmert. Il foglio è stato inquadrato da una cinepresa: «Non accennare a quella idea» ha aggiunto la vincitrice (per pochissimo) delle elezioni legislative di tre giorni fa, allontanando così l'ipotesi di un governo di unità nazionale. Quindi ha messo in guardia il premier dal dar voce a idee che «non rappresentano le posizioni di Kadima». >>> | Domenica 15 febbraio 2009

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Italy) >>>

Israel Elections: Both Sides Claim Victory
TIMES ONLINE: Israel faced what could be weeks of political uncertainty today after an election that ended with clashing claims of victory by the Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and her rival Benjamin Netanyahu.

Nearly final results gave Ms Livni's Kadima party 28 seats to 27 for Mr Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party in the 120-member parliament. The Foreign Minister said she would become Prime Minister and invited him to join a "unity government".

Mr Netanyahu, pointing to what he called a large "nationalist camp" in parliament, said he would head a coalition government, comprised of rightist parties.

"With God's help I will lead the next government," Mr Netanyahu, 59, told Likud supporters.

Addressing cheering Kadima activists, Ms Livni, 50, said: "The Israeli public can smile again when we form the government."

She would become Israel's first woman prime minister since Golda Meir governed in the 1970s.

Summing up the stalemate was the front page of Israel's biggest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, with "I won," next to photos of both candidates. >>> Times Online | Wednesday, February 11, 2009

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Netanyahu Gains as Lieberman Makes Him Appear ‘Less Hawkish’
BLOOMBERG: Israeli Arabs committed treason by protesting the country’s offensive in the Gaza Strip last month. Hamas should be dealt with the way the U.S. handled Japan in the last days of World War II. Egypt, at peace with Israel since 1979, actually plans to attack.

These are just some of the recent comments made by Avigdor Lieberman, whose party could become the third-largest bloc in parliament following Israel’s Feb. 10 elections, polls show.

Lieberman’s jump in popularity may boost the coalition- building efforts of front-runner Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, while undermining prospects for peace with the Palestinians. Netanyahu’s lead over Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni’s ruling Kadima party has grown as Israel’s war in Gaza raised voter concern about security.

“With Lieberman in the wings, Netanyahu looks less hawkish,” said Uri Dromi, a political analyst who was a spokesman for former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. “He can say, look, the Likud is not so right-wing. It is about security.” >>> By Gwen Ackerman | Tuesday, February 3, 2009

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Good on You, Bibi!
Bibi Netanyahu at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Photo courtesy of Times Online
TIMES ONLINE: Binyamin Netanyahu, the front-runner to become the next Israeli Prime Minister, today warned that Iran’s “100-yard dash” to securing nuclear weapons is a graver danger to the world than the global economic crisis.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, before Israel’s election in 12 days, Mr Netanyahu claimed that Tehran was now close to securing an atomic bomb, and was in a “100-yard dash” to the finish line in the race to obtain the weapon.

Mr Netanyahu said that despite all its intractable problems, the financial and economic crisis would ultimately prove reversible and be beaten by governments and central banks.

But in an ominous alert to world leaders, he said: “What is not reversible is the acquisition of nuclear weapons by a fanatic radical regime committed to a pre-medieval view of the world. Netanyahu: Iran Nuclear Threat Outstrips Economy >>> Gary Duncan, Davos | Thursday, January 29, 2009

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Bibi Netanyahu Accuses Olmert Government of Giving It All Away
YNET NEWS: Opposition leader arrives at Shas spiritual leader's Jerusalem home in bid to create united front against peace conference, warns him, 'Olmert government is giving away everything and getting terrorists in return.' Rabbi says some of his opinions similar to those presented by Netanyahu

The Olmert government is giving away everything and getting terrorists in return, opposition leader and Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu warned Monday in a meeting with Shas' spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Annapolis is dangerous, Netanyahu tells Rabbi Yosef (more) By Attila Somfalvi

Mark Alexander

« Bibi » à la tête du Likoud
LEFIGARO: Il a été reconduit hier soir à la tête du Likoud et se prépare pour les prochaines élections.

POUR Benyamin Nétanyahou, ce devrait être la fin de huit années de traversée du désert. Il a été confirmé comme chef du Likoud hier, à l'issue des élections internes organisées dans le grand parti de la droite israélienne. Tous les sondages le donnaient élu dans un fauteuil. Selon les résultats définitifs rendus publics mercredi matin par les responsables de la formation politique, il a raflé 73% des suffrages .

Derrière lui, le candidat d'extrême droite Moshé Feiglin, qu'on attendait dans le rôle du trouble-fête, a obtenu 23% des voix.

Pour « Bibi », comme les Israéliens l'appellent, il ne suffisait pas de gagner. Encore faut-il qu'il y ait la manière. Sur le papier, son OPA pour le pouvoir avait toutes les chances de réussir. Les sondages le plaçaient depuis quelques mois en tête des successeurs possibles d'Ehoud Olmert, le chef de gouvernement qui bat des records d'impopularité. Mais Benyamin Nétanyahou a besoin d'un parti en ordre de marche pour l'emporter, surtout après la déroute lors des législatives de l'an dernier. Les défections d'Ariel Sharon et d'Ehoud Olmert, partis pour fonder Kadima, un parti centriste, avaient laissé le Likoud au tapis avec un groupe parlementaire réduit à la portion congrue - 12 députés sur 120. Benyamin Nétanyahou se relance sur la scène politique israélienne (suivant)

Mark Alexander