Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., February 22, 2009 Shvat 28, 5769 | | Israel Time: 04:54 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 07:11 20/02/2009 Keep Lieberman out of the government By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Livni, Netanyahu, Lieberman Israelis still don't know who won last week's elections, or who will put together the next government. The only clear result is that Avigdor Lieberman is trying to dictate the nature and composition of the new coalition. This is evident from the conditions he demanded of Likud and Kadima for Yisrael Beiteinu's joining the government and from his appearance yesterday at the President's Residence, where he stipulated that he wanted a broad coalition headed by Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel's democracy is breaking daily records of degradation. The large parties, failing to win broad public support, are wooing a politician who conducted a racist campaign against the state's Arab citizens and is suspected of grave criminal acts. They are allowing him to determine who will head the government and who its partners will be. Advertisement In exchange for Lieberman's political support, Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni are competing with each other to legitimize Yisrael Beiteinu and its hate campaign. Likud promised "to examine additional amendments to the citizenship law" to implement Lieberman's campaign slogan of "no citizenship without loyalty." Likud modifies its position, saying that the amendments will correspond with "international judicial and constitutional norms," but in the same breath boasts that it has already initiated legislation to deprive people of their citizenship, in the spirit of Lieberman's stances. Kadima made do with demanding "military, national or civic service" for every youngster and did not suggest changing the citizenship law. But Livni boasted of her close ties with Lieberman and their long acquaintanceship, presenting him as a legitimate politician and desirable partner in a future coalition led by her. The attitudes of Livni and Netanyahu cannot simply be dismissed as acceptable political cynicism. It is futile for them to argue that because Lieberman sat as a minister in the governments of Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert he is a legitimate partner now. Lieberman's racist election campaign and the serious criminal allegations against him exclude him from a place among legitimate partners to the nation's leadership. The two claiming the prime minister's chair are trying to ignore this, displaying a lack of leadership and moral bankruptcy. To Netanyahu and Livni, Yisrael Beiteinu's 15 Knesset seats are much more important than Israel's moral image and carrying out the values of equality engraved in the Declaration of Independence. It is not too late for them to come to their senses. It is possible to set up a stable coalition without Yisrael Beiteinu, conveying a clear message to Israelis and the international community that they have boundaries - that the hate party, its positions and leader must remain outside the government. That Liebermanism must be stopped now, before it gets any stronger. It is incumbent upon the president to stop the disgrace and act to form a government without Lieberman. Shimon Peres said that in deciding whom to ask to form a coalition he will also take "Israel's policy" into consideration. This is the chance for Israel's elder statesman and Nobel Peace Prize winner to show political courage by conditioning the formation of the next government on preserving Israel's image as a democracy. Livni to Haaretz: I'm willing to consider a coalition with Likud and Yisrael Beitenu Related articles: ANALYSIS / Netanyahu's victory is starting to turn sour Indyk: Netanyahu may seek Syria deal to deflect U.S. pressure Bookmark to del.icio.us   North under fire Hezbollah denies firing Katyusha into north Israel. Drama in Dubai Venus Williams hails 'brave' Peer after winning Dubai tourney.   1.   Problem With the Left 03:09  |  Ron 20/02/09   2.   From your mouth to Peres` ears... 03:16  |  Danielle 20/02/09   3.   Your Favorite 03:21  |  daat y 20/02/09   4.   Plain propaganda 04:04  |  opinion 20/02/09   5.   Stop speaking for democracy 04:46  |  Another 20/02/09   6.   I can remember 04:50  |  Mark Lincoln 20/02/09   7.   Mickey Mouse 05:13  |  tbart 20/02/09   8.   Reply to Opinion (#4) - Excellent Post 05:15  |  Tod Zuckerman 20/02/09   9.   Good and bad fashism 05:15  |  fritz t. 20/02/09   10.   What Would Have Happened 05:47  |  Steve 20/02/09   11.   The left has shown itself to be the true racists 05:49  |  Sam 20/02/09   12.   Haaretz in panic 06:22  |  Gene 20/02/09   13.   The proof 06:47  |  Ed 20/02/09   14.   #4 and #5 09:06  |  Leva 20/02/09   15.   Aren`t you forgetting something 09:08  |  Nir 20/02/09   16.   Democracy 09:53  |  Choni Davidowitz 20/02/09   17.   Rise to power 09:58  |  Robert Firth 20/02/09   18.   Only in the bent politics of Israel is it possible 10:31  |  Clickfool 20/02/09   19.   Demagogues: Stop using the race card all the time 10:34  |  AA 20/02/09   20.   keep lieberman out 10:36  |  Steve Katz 20/02/09   21.   Keep Lieberman out 10:55  |  peter 20/02/09

Read & React Hamas: Israel picked 'most dangerous' politician to lead it Responses: 45 Hezbollah denies firing Katyusha into north Israel Responses: 42 Senior Kadima official hopes for 'broad' coalition Responses: 56 Ariel Zilber: Ehud Olmert, we'll miss you Responses: 34 Why Israel's rejection of 'peace' hospital offer angered Turkey Responses: 37 More Headlines 02:53 Sources: Netanyahu to offer Livni 'full partnership' in gov't 03:39 Yossi Sarid / Don't be fooled, Kadima-Likud union a matter of time 01:30 France to send top envoy to Iran for talks on nuclear program 03:07 Animated Lebanon War flick 'Waltz with Bashir' looks to clinch Israel's first Oscar 03:49 Will the Fatah-Hamas schism sabotage the rebuilding of Gaza? 03:27 Ex-spymaster: Despite Sabra and Chatila, first Lebanon War was a Mossad success 04:09 German politicians, Jewish leaders slam Schroeder for meeting Ahmadinejad 04:28 Dutch Jews slam Christian 'peace by conversion' group 23:10 Qassam rocket hits near Ashkelon; no casualties 21:56 Arab states to probe Gaza war crimes allegations 19:28 Durban II drafts: Israel is racist, occupying state 21:48 Diplomats: U.S. backs Fatah-Hamas reconciliation talks 22:47 Senator Kerry: Syria willing to help achieve Palestinian unity 16:02 Hezbollah denies firing Katyusha into north Israel 22:29 Venus Williams hails 'brave' Peer after winning UAE tourney Previous Editions Select Day 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 16 feb 15 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 09 feb 08 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Spring Specials-Dan Hotels Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$ Dead Sea Skin Care Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off! Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 Passover Vacations The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results

Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved