Showing posts with label Likud. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Likud. Show all posts
Friday, September 20, 2019
Has Bibi Lost It? Israel Vote Fails to Deliver Majority for Netanyahu
Sunday, July 18, 2010
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 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
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
TIMESONLINE: Israel's next foreign minister looks set to be Avigdor Lieberman, the Soviet immigrant whose controversial policies have been condemned widely by the country's regional neighbours. His critics accuse him of being an Arab-hating racist but he is hailed by supporters as a strongman who will deal harshly with the state's enemies, in particular Iran, which he has threatened to bomb.
Mr Lieberman has threatened to bomb a number of Israel's neighbours, including Egypt, with whom the Jewish state has a peace treaty. During a parliamentary debate last year Mr Lieberman also criticised Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's President, for never visiting the Jewish state.
Egypt was the first country yesterday to warn that the appointment could cause more setbacks for the peace process. “We are standing before a negative factor that is likely to damage the peace process,”Ahmad Abul Ghait, the Foreign Minister, said during a visit to the European parliament.
The appointment appeared to be on track though after Mr Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party, which came third in February's elections, cut a deal with Likud to form a coalition.
Under the agreement Yisrael Beitenu would receive five ministerial posts, including the Foreign Ministry, which its leader is set to take. >>> James Hider in Jerusalem | Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
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 >>>
Monday, March 16, 2009
DAILY EXPRESS: Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party has signed a coalition agreement with a far-right party.
The deal means that Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party, would become Israel's foreign minister.
He has drawn accusations of racism for proposing that Israel's Arab citizens sign loyalty oaths or lose their citizenship.
Although that plan is not likely to be implemented, his designation as foreign minister could harm Israel's international ties.
The European Union urged Netanyahu to craft a government that embraces the long-standing goal of an independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel. Lieberman as foreign minister could be seen in Europe as a setback to Middle East peace efforts.
"Let me say very clearly that the way the European Union will relate to an (Israeli) government that is not committed to a two-state solution will be very, very different," Javier Solana, the EU's foreign and security affairs chief, said. >>> | Monday, March 16, 2009
leJDD.fr: Netanyahou serre à droite
Le Likoud est parvenu à un accord avec le parti d'extrême-droite Israël Beitenou, en vue de la formation d'un gouvernement d'union en Israël. Benjamin Netanyahou devrait confier le portefeuille des Affaires étrangères à Avigdor Lieberman. Même s'il faudra d'autres alliés pour s'assurer d'une majorité stable à la Knesset, le prochain gouvernement israélien penchera fortement à droite.
C'était écrit. Le prochain gouvernement israélien serait à droite ou ne serait pas. L'accord conclu dimanche à minuit entre le Likoud de Benjamin Netanyahou et Israël Beitenou, le parti d'extrême droite dirigé par Avigdor Lieberman, signe le virage à droite du paysage politique israélien même s'il faudra d'autres alliances pour s'assurer d'une majorité à la Knesset où siègent les députés. Avec 42 sièges sur 120, la coalition Likoud-Beitenou est en effet encore loin de la majorité absolue des 61 sièges. Mais cet accord signé à l'arraché dimanche soir, après des heures d'âpres négociations, est une première étape d'importance pour Benjamin Netanyahou qui ne dispose plus que de quelques jours pour présenter son gouvernement au président Shimon Pérès. La porte reste ouverte à Kadima... >>> Par Jérôme GUILLAS, leJDD.fr | Lundi 16 Mars 2009
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
HAARETZ: Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message to Syria before last month's election promising that a government under him would "not provoke war" and would be interested in "seriously and genuinely exploring" a peace process.
Likud officials met with senior Syrian figures in January in Washington to prepare the ground for further exchanges after Israel's next government takes office, Likud sources said.
The officials, however, did not express any willingness to make concessions or withdraw from the Golan Heights, as Syrian President Bashar Assad says is necessary. >>> Yoav Stern | Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback & Hardback) – Free delivery >>>
Friday, February 27, 2009
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) >>>
Thursday, February 19, 2009
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 >>>
Sunday, February 15, 2009
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) >>>
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