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Netanyahu, put your money where your mouth is
By Gideon Levy
Tags: israel elections, israel news 

Why isn't Benjamin Netanyahu setting up a right-wing government? Why isn't he carrying out the voters' will to position the right wing in power? Why isn't he taking the opportunity that fell into his hands to form a government in tune with his doctrine?

Why is he talking about a broad coalition, knowing it would force him to compromise his principles? Because he is afraid. Now, at the moment of truth, when he has the ability to implement his ideology, he has gotten cold feet and wants to dilute his government with components that are alien to his doctrine.

Together with Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, United Torah Judaism, Habayit Hayehudi and National Union - a majority of 65 Knesset members who are all distinctly far right - Netanyahu could carry out his political ideas. After all, the right wing always has answers for everything, a solution to every problem. So go for it, Netanyahu, go for it.
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First, go for the economic peace. Let's see you obtain funding - from the Arab world and perhaps from Israel, too, especially in these economic times - to carry out the projects you promised. Persuade the Palestinians and Americans that this is enough. Let's see what happens after the first suicide attack in the industrial zone built on the outskirts of Nablus or behind Hebron.

Been there, done that. We've had industrial zones - so-called "peace parks" - in Erez, Tul Karm and Atarot. They stand abandoned, in ruins.

Why? Because they weren't enough for the Palestinians. Because the Palestinians understood the deception behind the approach that we give them work and they remain quiet. After all, Palestinians, like other nations, need not only bread but also freedom and self-definition. A weird sort of notion that Netanyahu's fathers also dreamed of.

So go for the economic peace, Netanyahu, the right-wing government will applaud you. A broad coalition may, however, demand more.

Bomb Iran, Netanyahu, because sanctions aren't enough for you, you don't believe in diplomatic negotiations with Iran and you pledged that you, Mr. Iran, would prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear arms at any cost. Let's see you get Barack Obama's permission for the most dangerous escapade of all. Bombard and let's see what happens.

A broad government could stop your quirks, so why go there? This is the most crucial issue on your agenda. Topple Hamas' rule in Gaza, as you promised. Release Gilad Shalit without freeing murderers, as you wrote in your book about terror. Go forth on your way.

In your speech at the last session of the 17th Knesset you outlined this way: Any territory released from the IDF's control would be occupied by Hamas, so don't evacuate a single dunam, you said. Explain that to Obama and Mahmoud Abbas. Tell them you won't ever negotiate over Jerusalem. That the Jordan Valley and Judean Desert will remain in our hands for eternity. Ya'akov Katz (National Union) will cheer you on, Moshe Ya'alon will salute you. A broad coalition, however, could demand something else.

Offer the Syrians peace for peace. After all, you wouldn't uproot the tender sapling you planted in the Golan just last week, on Tu Bishvat. You wouldn't renege on your statement, "Gamla will not fall again."

Build more and more settlements - there is plenty of "state-owned land" and private land to usurp. Then annex the territories. There is no reason not to apply Israeli law to territories that will remain forever in our hands. Annex and annex, from Jenin to Hebron, distribute Israeli identity cards to the residents and, hey, on to the next Knesset elections with two million new voters.

Perhaps America will finally tell you, annex or evacuate, and you will have to decide. Try selling Obama this political merchandise, and we'll see how he reacts. And let's see how you react if he says no. Why not ask his administration for more and more weapons, more economic aid, more diplomatic support and still stand on your principles. Let's watch you in action, Netanyahu.

But the truth is, Netanyahu knows that this would be a horrific sight. He wants Kadima and Labor in his government to hold him back, to prevent him from carrying out his doctrine. This is exactly why they must not join his coalition. Render unto Netanyahu the things that are Netanyahu's. Let's see how it ends up working out for him. And for us.

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      1.   Levy Is Right 02:45  |  MB 19/02/09
      2.   Finally Levi picked up on the theme 05:46  |  Michael N 19/02/09
      3.   Netanyahu is a secret Communist 09:26  |  Chris 19/02/09
      4.   Levy is Left . 10:04  |  JK 19/02/09
      5.   True but frightning 10:17  |  Shachar 19/02/09
      6.   Rare time I agree with Gideon Levy 10:30  |  Jay 19/02/09
      7.   Netanyahu was always a better driver from the backseat 11:08  |  Natallie Durson 19/02/09
      8.   exactly - be strong Tzipi, go into opposition! 11:13  |  SD 19/02/09
      9.   My hat`s off to you, Gideon! 11:16  |  zeev 19/02/09
      10.   As in most cases Levy can`t see big picture 11:18  |  Unchel Ben-Joseph 19/02/09
      11.   Because he is afraid 11:22  |  David 19/02/09
      12.   Who cares what obama thinks? By the way how`s meretz doing? 11:24  |  Roni 19/02/09
      13.   Give Bibi a chance and see him deliver 11:27  |  Manny Goldstein 19/02/09
      14.   Netanyahu`s Govt. 11:30  |  Bob D. S.A. 19/02/09
      15.   to 1# : he is not right, he is soo right 11:32  |  Charles 19/02/09
      16.   Levy is extremely left and angry 11:38  |  Kate Larie 19/02/09
      17.   Great article, 11:45  |  Medo 19/02/09
      18.   Bye Bye Bibi 11:58  |  Yaakov 19/02/09
      19.   Levy is funny 12:00  |  charles 19/02/09
      20.   gideon levy you should ask Obama the permission to breath 12:03  |  dovdevan 19/02/09
      21.   gideon levy 12:05  |  Roger 19/02/09
      22.   Spot on! 12:05  |  Faraz 19/02/09
      23.   We don;t need Obama`s Permission To Defend Ourselves 12:05  |  Josh 19/02/09
      24.   Gideon Is Wrong Again 12:13  |  Baruch Gold 19/02/09
      25.   Permission 12:18  |  Ze 19/02/09
      26.   thats it ,thanks mr. levy 12:18  |  abraham 19/02/09
      27.   Right on Natanyahu DO IT !! 12:19  |  Suad 19/02/09
      28.   All Sounds Good Except Israeli Identity Cards 12:21  |  Baruch Gold 19/02/09
      29.   The Left burry their heads in the sand for too long ! 12:22  |  Akram Zekaria 19/02/09
      30.   Bibi: the true image of Israel 12:23  |  flimflam 19/02/09
      31.   What Bibi will really do 2nd try 12:34  |  Tzfonit 19/02/09
      32.   To # 6: and u don`t think that Israel is a banana republic? 12:35  |  Suad 19/02/09
      33.   To # 8: Sadly enough he does not represent u ..... 12:37  |  Suad 19/02/09
      34.   what`s good for Israel 12:38  |  Chaim Aschlocher 19/02/09
      35.   A failed state 12:41  |  peter 19/02/09
      36.   U.S. public opinion is changing 12:42  |  Hanna 19/02/09
      37.   My hat`s off to you, Gideon! (2nd try) 12:43  |  zeev 19/02/09
      38.   Gideon Levy Not that I voted Netanyhu But 12:46  |  Gil 19/02/09
      39.   Gideon Levy Not that I voted Netanyhu But 12:46  |  Gil 19/02/09
      40.   I truly wish that Kadima & Labour won`t join 12:47  |  WMR 19/02/09
      41.   Bibi 12:49  |  Allan 19/02/09
      42.   Like it or not, he will be your next prime. 12:58  |  Democratic warrior 19/02/09
      43.   The Israeli "Burkha"" has come down 2 weeks ago..... 13:01  |  Swiss (Dino) 19/02/09
      44.   unexpectedly funny. 13:04  |  Guy 19/02/09
      45.   Levy is always right 13:14  |  Mike 19/02/09
      46.   Your analysis is wrong; this is a religious conflict, not a... 13:42  |  think clearly 19/02/09
      47.   Does it matter 13:49  |  Mosdave 19/02/09
      48.   Run , Run arabs , flee Before Bibi takes on G.Levy Challenge 13:51  |  Joseph.E 19/02/09
      49.   #8 Seem to forget the US bankroles Israel 14:12  |  James 19/02/09
      50.   charles 14:24  |  A.M. 19/02/09
      51.   Not Good, Gideon, not good 15:37  |  Yaakov Sullivan 19/02/09
      52.   Permission? What is this Kintergarden? 16:54  |  Joey 19/02/09
      53.   I like you Mr. Levy 16:54  |  Sammy from Jordan 19/02/09
      54.   THE LEFT WING GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL HS BROUGHT UPON DOOM 16:56  |  Scott L. Havsy 19/02/09
      55.   the wseakness of Isreal is kadima -labour fault 16:59  |  dovdevan 19/02/09
      56.   Gideon Levy & honesty 17:07  |  The Teacher/Instruct 19/02/09
      57.   Netanyahu by Gideon Levy 17:11  |  Judith Nusbaum 19/02/09
      58.   Gideon Levy is a clown!! 17:12  |  Ephraim Zelenko 19/02/09
      59.   37~ Zeev : "my hats off.." 17:14  |  Akram Zekaria 19/02/09
      60.   Annex or Vacate. Now. 17:15  |  Lou Medel 19/02/09
      61.   Netanyahu Cannot Govern From the Center - Campaigned Right Wing 17:43  |  Monitor 19/02/09
      62.   Obama will give a green light 19:18  |  As`ad - ANGRY ARAB 19/02/09
      63.   I told you so 19:20  |  GSW 19/02/09
      64.   As With The Election Of Bush, The Israeli Electorate Has Spoken 19:22  |  chet 19/02/09
      65.   What a desperate load of incoherent drivel from a failure 19:25  |  Jake 19/02/09
      66.   bombing Iran doesn`t require American approval 19:28  |  Paul Freedman 19/02/09
      67.   Who cares what Obama Thinks 19:31  |  fran 19/02/09
      68.   #2. Michael N., Not so fast. 19:31  |  Jake 19/02/09
      69.   Netanyahu cannot deliver on his election promises 19:48  |  Chris Linthwaite 19/02/09
      70.   Bibi may surprise even himself not only the left 19:56  |  JfromC 19/02/09
      71.   Jake #58 20:02  |  Michael N 19/02/09
      72.   put your money where your mouth is 20:04  |  chaya 19/02/09
      73.   The FEAR of Iran is NOT ... 20:28  |  Giora 19/02/09
      74.   Levy`s Netanyahu 20:38  |  norman sarkin 19/02/09
      75.   netanyahu 21:01  |  cherla 19/02/09
      76.   Netanyahu is Israeli Zorba the Greek 21:54  |  Angel Luis Encinas 19/02/09
      77.   No clue 22:26  |  Aaron 19/02/09
      78.   Mr.Levy:If BiBi does not give away one PIECE of Israeli land or 22:29  |  glenna 19/02/09
      79.   Gideon Levy 22:29  |  The Teacher/Instruct 19/02/09
      80.   #62, Michael N, You understand nothing, but hatemongering 23:24  |  Jake 19/02/09
      81.   #58, Fran, of course US does not need Israel 23:33  |  Jake 19/02/09
      82.   Bibi the Great 23:37  |  David Bernstein 19/02/09
      83.   Gideon, put your brain where reality is 00:43  |  SDHD 20/02/09
      84.   A word about freedom 00:46  |  Alex 20/02/09
      85.   I think Levy is scared more 00:49  |  Zev 20/02/09
      86.   #1 01:00  |  American 20/02/09
      87.   Levy is a Sick Man 01:06  |  John 20/02/09
      88.   Gideon`s tone is right up my alley 01:25  |  allang 20/02/09
      89.   Netanhayu,will put his money where it belongs,in his pocket 01:25  |  ysl 20/02/09
      90.   Gideon save your advice for the left,Netanyahu doesn`t need it. 01:28  |  ysl 20/02/09
      91.   #12 Roni, on who cares what Obama thinks 01:32  |  Mark B. 20/02/09
      92.   #31 That is nonsense, Tzfonit 01:41  |  Johnboy 20/02/09
      93.   Levy is wrong 03:13  |  Brod 20/02/09
      94.   #80 Jake., about `understanding`. 03:14  |  Michael N 20/02/09
      95.   Me Neither 04:24  |  Brendan 20/02/09
      96.   Me Neither 04:24  |  Brendan 20/02/09
      97.   Netanyahu not a communist 04:47  |  david 20/02/09
      98.   Johnboy #92 - the simpleton callingTzfonit`s post nonsense 08:57  |  S 20/02/09
      99.   Bibi is "running scared" right to the PM`s office! 11:45  |  Kenny 20/02/09
      100.   #93 Brod 15:28  |  Chris Linthwaite 20/02/09
      101.   Netanyahu 19:31  |  ewk 20/02/09
      102.   Mr.Gideon Levy,...you are 100 percent correct. 22:40  |  Stephen. 20/02/09
      103.   netanyahu, put your money where your mouth is 23:19  |  ina reznicek 20/02/09
      104.   Netanyahu is an American, that`s why he has cold feet 21:00  |  Harry 21/02/09
      105.   Keep your sour grapes for yourself, Levy! 23:52  |  Yaakov K. 21/02/09
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