Editorial / Netanyahu must boot Lieberman from FM post

Thank G d we have Lieberman..speaks strong like the zionists we desperately NEED

Chris, you must be a very privileged individual not having had to work your way through university. Most Israelis have to support themselves during their studies and many seek shift work or night jobs so they can be free to attend classes during the day. It appears that Lieberman took up bouncing at the student night club to work his way through university. His degree in International Relations and Political Science probably endowed him with many necessary qualifications for his job as FM.

Israel's PR is every bit as nuanced as the Arab nations, certainly over the last 3 or 4 years. They have made full capital out of 9-11. As for the Arabs use of Khazaria, it might be the case. However if one reads a little more general history as opposed to 'history of the Jews by zionist writers' one would know full well that the Khazar origin thesis is quite well attested. Koestler propagated this and I believe he was Jewish. More recently the Professor of History at Tel Aviv University, Shlomo Sand has made clear the pedigree of this thesis. What is also clear is that early Jewish writers circa first half 19thC were quite open about Khazar origin ideas. As for the sarcasm regarding Jews in Arab lands, almost every writer I know who specializes in medieval European history would testify to the fact that the Jews fared far better in Arab lands than in Christian Europe and certainly in Palestine, right up to the later 20thC. and often reached positions of great influence, in Spain, Iraq, Perisia, something impossible in Europe unless they first renounced their faith.What is far more telling is the keenness of posters on here to rubbish this hitherto known reality by citing isolated pogroms as a means of disproving the idea that Jews were relatively well off in Muslim Spain and the Mid East.

But after he does that can he please fire himself, and can he do it quickly. The abyss we're in isn't bottomless, there's not too far to go before we hit the end...of the 2 state solution, of our democracy, of our moral validity. The occupation no longer corrodes us from the edges. It is eating away at us from the inside and as long as we think we have financial stability, can endure international disapproval that is only verbal, and are incapable or unwilling to end the occupation, because it doesn't directly effect most of us who live within the green line, so netanyahu can sit one more day in power. He doesn't need to do anything because we aren't pushing him or worrying about anything. We stick our heads in the sand and pretend that everything is fine and as long as we fool ourselves like this, the shock when we get to the bottom of the abyss will be bigger than anything we could imagine.

the delegitimisation of israel goes back decades. the arabs have a very smooth propaganda machine-much, much better than israel or anyone in the west. pay attention to the recent attempt to claim that european jews are not really jews, but khazars, as opposed to sephardim who are real jews and who lived in perfect peace in arab lands. the arabs decided that if they cannot beat israel militarily, they will do so diplomatically through the un and far left, far right western groups, including academics, ngo's and even western leaders, including present and former. all that said, lieberman might not be the best choice for foreign minister. he is way too blunt. after all, diplomacy requires wile and deceit. it must be said that if princess tzipi had joined the coalition, there would be no lieberman issue. "guess who!", yes.

I like his forthrightness. I actually agree with his realistic assessment of the facts. Maybe someday he'll become PM

"How does that qualify him for high office?" I started off with a paper route. I am now president of my company. You sound like you have never worked a day in your life. The answer is that there is no correlation.

...he and his past are making Israel look like a constantly warring, wannabe colonial failed state... Oh wait...

He's the only Israeli leader that tells is like it is... And the Left, instead of waking up from its suicidal delusions, wishes that he would disappear!

If Lieberman irresponsible talks made Israel losing friend all around the world; how worse statements always made by the palestinians leader is gaining the palestinians friends & increasing their influence ? Foreigners, each of them have its own interest & they do always what their interests required from them. The Arabs have oil & very plenty of it; the material that almost rule the world today ? Thank G-d Israel have no oil, otherwise no country would have let Israel to be the State of the Jews !

job at a deli counter in Hawaii ? making sandwiches do not qualify for Israeli FM or American President offices.

It is not a secret that Bibi is paranoid and trusts nobody. The last thing he is interested in is FM who is sane, moderate, likeable and trustworthy. That way Bibi insures that the FM position is of no threat to him and he himself conducts de facto all of Israel foreign policy. The problem is not Lieberman, he is basically being used by Bibi as decoy, the problem is Bibi..

How come "the foreign minister "reached the conclusion" that even returning to the Green Line would not lead to the end of the conflict" ...without explaining how or why? Did he test his theory out while no one was looking, or perhaps just engage in a thought experiment without divulging what form his thoughts took. He is certainly no visionary, nor is he displaying any great intellectual feats in his post as FM or as party leader. He is however a racist and a bigot so it is hardly surprising that he should want to see things the way he does.

We need peace makers, not appeasers. Peace is not appeasement and sadly, the left wing in the world doesnt understand that. Thank goodness for Lieberman. Especially in light of an unlightened Eurabia. They are back in the Middle Ages. Europe is no longer a place of enlightenment and hasnt been for quite a while.

since this conflict started. Abbas must boot Hanyei seems more the right thing than 'Netanyahu boot Lieberman ! The peace problem is not an Israel problem ! Abbas not talking with Netanyahu is just an excuse ! Abbas the 'president' can't talk with his 'prime minister' hanyei is the real problem. In any government in the world, the 'president' can't speak with his 'prim minister'; both must resign & their regime must finish ! What we see now; none of them is resigning & each of them has his own regime ! What Lieberman has to do with that ?! Nothing ! If the two palestinians leaders can't speak with each other, this goes without saying must be an obstacle for Peace ! Blaming Israel & Lieberman is one of those excuses that gave this long conflict a longer life & just confuse the issues with lies ! Time to detach Israel from the equation & talk about the palestinian enigma !

How come "the foreign minister "reached the conclusion" that even returning to the Green Line would not lead to the end of the conflict" ...without explaining how or why? Did he test his theory out while no one was looking, or perhaps just engage in a thought experiment without divulging what form his thoughts took. He is certainly no visionary, nor is he displaying any great intellectual feats in his post as FM or as party leader. He is however a racist and a bigot so it is hardly surprising that he should want to see things the way he does.

The foreign ministry is the face of Israel in the diplomatic world and Lieberman is not the right person for the job. Not only is he too far from the centrist views of most but he is completely out of step with the world as it is today. I suppose he was Netanyahu's method of getting Russian votes but the stupidity of appointing him to that specific post sends a message that Israel is giving the finger to the rest of the world.

Lieberman tells his voter base who are mainly settlers illegally occupying Palestinian land what they want to hear. I would not call that the mark of a genius, more a Cameron.

Netanyahu is the problem. He is the problem because he represents the will of the Israeli people, who have no interest in peace. That is the problem. Lieberman is only a caricature of Israel, not his own meaningful diplomatic entity. Israel's only policy is to get its way. Lieberman is used by Netanyahu only to tread upon fresh cement, not to pour it.

oops and things dont sound good cos the world aint pretty...so dont blame Lieberman for trying to teach you the truth about the birds and the bees and how babies are made.

After reading the wide array of opinions and comments comming out of Israel, Muslims must surely be thankful that this does not happen in their own back yards. It is hard enough for Israelis to follow. The types of things said, accross the board, leave ones head spinning.

After reading the wide array of opinions and comments comming out of Israel, Muslims must surely be thankful that this does not happen in their own back yards. It is hard enough for Israelis to follow. The types of things said, accross the board, leave ones head spinning.

Actually this whole Lieberman thuggery is good -only, it has to get much much worse - which it will - in order for the ineviable reaction to set in and make an end to the current Israeli meshuggas. David

You are correct, Mr. Lieberman is good for Israel, but for the defferent reason: he is the honest man. That makes anti-Semites boiling.

It depends whether you believe being a former nightclub bouncer endows you with the skills to be Foreign Minister. As I have clearly stated I want Lieberman to stay as Israeli Foreign Minister. As I believe that Lieberman is emminently qualified for the role I wish him to fulfill for Israel.

you analogy...you just dont get it

Lieberman was the worst choice of FM Israel could have made. I said it a hundred times this year posting here. A "persona non grata" everywhere, whether fair or not, shouldn't head the most sensitive issue of diplomacy for the most bashed country on earth.

How does that qualify him for high office?

When referring to Lieberman's past as a nighclub bouncer, there is an implicit criticism that he is not qualified for his job. The job of a bouncer requires thuggish, borderline-illegal actions on a daily basis - who else but Israel would allow such a person to be its FM?

The FM talks, the government acts. When Lieberman lashes out against Sweden, Egypt, Norway, the UK, Turkey, Venzuela, Iran, the Palestinians etc etc, it is only words. The PM - be he from Likud, Kadima or Labour - commits war crimes and state terrorism at regular intervals, dropping bombs and white phosphorous on women and children. Israel's president explains that it was necessary to teach the people of Gaza a lesson (aka Collective Punishment or war crimes). Lieberman is not the problem. His words are honest and in complete harmony with the politics of past and present Israeli governments. Don't shoot the piano player. Listen to him. You will get to know the composer behind the music.

Applie the same rools to judge the israelies as the international community does with Iran. Then it is not so bad as you may think: Lieberman is a conservative. Netanyahu is a reformist, Livny also, Barak also. Are there in Iran left parties? How the international community call them: leftists?, progressives? Or what? So, bussines are as usual.

"Interesting. PM and FM speak different languages at the same time and in the same forum." When the parties in a coalition cannot agree with each other, why should the PM and FM be expected to agree on policy? It is the DM, IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad who determine what is to be done on the ground -- which is the only place where it really counts.

Is it not possible that Lieberman and the rest of the cabinet actually represent the "real" Israel ? How pathetic.........

You sound like a deer caught in the cross lights. what to do what to do! Your enemies will multiply as long as you choose the military option over the political, when most realize the political would do better and as long as you characterize every critic as an anti semite or self hater {court jew}. Lieberman has no business being right, since he is a philistine, as alien to modernity as any early 20thC fascist or late 20thC autocrat. He sits well with the likes of the Chinese communists or Putin, his intellectual brethren, but less well with ideas of tolerance and democracy. In short he has no right to be right but he plays on the ignorance and fears of his people and appeals to their bigotry. Just like so many before him.

There's a good deal of Israel-hatred encapsulated in your letter. From what I read, this is typical of many other Norwegians. This goes far to explain Norway's collaboration with Hitler and its treatment of the Jews during World War II.

"after all, the recent attempts to squarly delegitimise the one and only jewish state are multiplying exponentionally. " The only thing that delegitimitizes the one and only Jewish state is the disparity between what its government says and what it government does. With Netanyahu talking peace and Lieberman criticizing peace, what is the world to think? Now Hamas is talking about kidnapping another Israeli. Perhaps they will do Israel a favor. Guess who!

Jack Nicholson, in the movie "A Few Good Men", confronts his accuser who claims he wants the truth. "You can't handle the truth", he insists. The truth is most of the Islamic world can't, for theological reasons, accept Israel in their midst, and most Arabs, if they're honest, want Israel dead and gone. Lieberman is absolutely right about Turkey; it's Barak and Ben Eliezer that are wrong. Increasingly Islamic, with ever closer ties to Syria and Iran, Turkey has lost whatever credibility it ever had as an honest broker. And he's right about those nations that apply a double standard toward Israel. And he's right about the "good terrorists" of Fatah. Was Livni, who accepted the sham of UNSC 1701 a "better" Foreign Minister? She may have ruffled fewer feathers, but she left Israel more vulnerable. I'll take the "blunt language" of a Lieberman over wishful thinking and self-delusions any day.

Liebermans appointment as FM is the first honest thing Israel has done in many years. Israel is saying, yes, we will have a racist thug to represent our face to the world. We can do anything we like and none can stop us. Actually, since Israel has had bona fide terrorist leaders as PM in the past, the ascention of Lieberman is small potatoes. It's quite strange that the bona fide terrorist leaders had at least a veneer of respectability which Lieberman lacks. On the other hand, Lieberman provides great comedy relief, which Menachem Begin and Itzhak Shamir lacked.

is to change the present system of elections from proportional to regional, thus eliminating or weakening most small and splinter parties, leaving only 2 or 3 large parties to contend for rule and important mnisterial positions.

He isn't afraid to be non politically correct & say things that many ordinary Israelis & other MKS feel but don't say Alot of the bills he has proposed but the leftists & arabs didn't like much most the people liked the idea of. What was wrong with the so called old Israel? ... at least in the old Israel things got done. If a plane was hijacked they didnt say how many hundreds of terrorists do you want in exchange they sent soldiers across the world to rescue them Today something like that would be unheard of we would just release hundreds of killers Back then we would have rescued Gild Shalit not placed his future in the hands of negotiations with terrorists If we are going to kick Liberman out of foreign affairs then it should be because he is going to be promoted to PM His problem is not policies its he is the way he speaks. He sounds to firebrand but If he could make speeches as well as Obama does he could push the same policies and people would like him & he could make it as PM

You're right, the World sees Israeli politicians -- not only the infamous Lieberman -- as "liars of the first order". Worse, they are looked upon as political criminals who have confirmed the description made on 2 June 1948 by the British Cairo diplomat John Troutbeck: "The Americans are responsible for the creation of a gangster state headed by an unscrupulous set of leaders".

That certainly goes for Israel. The rise of people like Lierberman is a sign of the time. A sign that Israel is evolving into a society where fascist ideas are bon ton. Do people in Israel really think that they do not need to pay the price in moral terms for all those decades of oppression and persecution of the Palestinian population??

when we vote to the knesset we dont think about the future of israel, that of our children and that of our situation among other peoples we'll have to live with as we are not the only people in the world (thou the chosen one). thus we vote for a party because we are of sefaradic origine, or because we came from the ex soviet union, or because we do our prayers, or because our grand father was member of one or another underground movement a generation or two ago. that some of our leaders were proven corrupt, when some sell their ideology for personal or obscure gains dont count whe we vote. the result of all that is that we are trapped perhaps timae have come for us to wake up and start acting differently.

You can all say what you want to say about Lieberman...but there's one thing that can't be denied: Lieberman is honest about his ideas regarding the future of Israel and the Palestinians. Lieberman might be a PR disaster, but I prefer him above people like Ehud Barak, Shimon Peres and Benjamin Nuttyahu. Its not about Israeli PR machinations, but the facts on the ground that speak. Barak and Peres are liars and PR, whereas Lieberman is honest and bad PR. So I prefer the latter.

Lieberman demanded the Foreign Ministry so that his political party would join the coalition but other than being a controversial speaker, he really has no power. As Netanyahu and Barak control the actual foreign and security policy, and, ultimately the portfolio for Peace negotiations with the Palestinians and the Syrians. So what we have here is the quintessential Russian tough guy given a position which sounds important but has been emptied of any true power or influence by his prime minister. The ultimate sucker and the ultimate freier.

"the conflicting messages show an Israel given over to the hands of a bizarre government that is deceiving its citizens as well as its neighbors and friends around the world." Well observed, but although the man has many vices it is not Lieberman who deceives!

I don't see what him being a former nightclub bouncer from Moldovia has to do with it. What has become of Israel is not the fault of Moldovian night club bouncers. I am sure there are respectable people among them, althoug Lieberman sets a bad example.

If you are a liberal-loon, surely you agree with the Editorial. If you are not, surely you agree with the facts, 60 years' experience and the only truth, just like Lieberman.

"...people like ... Yitzhak Shamir." Yeah, he was one of the greats. "Lieberman's appointment as foreign minister is turning out to be one of Netanyahu's most serious mistakes in putting together his cabinet." Turning out to be? How 'bout from day one?

Yes, Lieberman must go. But, so should Bibi. Lieberman speaks and acts like a clown. But there is no big difference in their world views. Both bring harm to this country.

"The foreign minister, the man responsible for promoting Israel's standing in the international community as a peace-loving country, presented a shamefully bullying approach." - Haaretz On the other hand there is reality. The current government of Israel, and enough Israelis to elect it, have no interest in even being seen as peaceful and well intentioned. Netanyahu represents the views and goals of those citizens very well. Lieberman does a magnificent job of presenting the real Israel to the world. What the vanquishe and vanishing Israel of the past wants does not matter.

Lieberman should resign because Netanyahu is using him as a fig leaf to cover the actions af Barak, who was roundly rejected in the election, and is behaving as acting Foreign Minister to the detriment of Israel.

haaretz a.k.a Meretz voters last election: 2.95%, 3 seats israel beytenu:11.70%, 15 seats no further comments

I don't think Liberman is doing smth wrong. Why should they give such importance to Turkey. Turkey is just a transit for pipline. They are not a democracy nor even a peace player. Turkey is boming everday Kurdistan with syrian implication in Iraq. it will never get stable. First Turkey must behave in a civilised way with the kurds, jews, armenian then we can trust them. an ethno-centric country like turkey can not play a mediator role.

The article says that IF Netanyahu really wants peace Lieberman must be sacked. That IF in the article indicates that the editor of the article himself doubts that Bibi wants what he says. Well Lieberman can stay. Netanyahu is deceiting the world with tactical moves and Lieberman labels them as that loud and clearly. Therefor Netanyahu wants to get rid of him by uniting with Livni thinking his tactical moves have more chance of success if they are not so labeled. Even Sarkozy cannot sell the israeli politics to the french public if Israel itself labels it as tactical moves. Bibi is prudent enough to see that. I hope I am wrong about the intentions of the israeli politics nowadays and wish Jews and Pals of course an live in an durable real peace. I hope further that Abbas will stay strong enough to prevent further attacks against Jews in the WB for the sake of once getting an everlasing solution and of course sparing lives. I regret all loss of live.

Leftism may hate Lieberman. However, Lieberman is one of Israel's best Foreign Ministers. Even Putin describes Lieberman as brilliant.

The FM talks, the government acts. When Lieberman lashes out against Sweden, Egypt, Norway, the UK, Turkey, Venzuela, Iran, the Palestinians etc etc, it is just words. The PM - be he from Likud, Kadima or Labour - commits war crimes and state terrorism at regular intervals, dropping bombs and white phosphorous on women and children. Israel's president explains to the world that it was necessary to teach the people of Gaza a lesson (aka Collective Punishment or war crimes). Lieberman is not the problem. His words are honest and in complete harmony with the politics of past and present Israeli governments. Don't shoot the piano player. Listen to him, regardless of the quality. You will get to know the composer behind the music.

Interesting. PM and FM speak different languages at the same time and in the same forum.

... is causing immense harm to Israel... ... his stance is that he prevails over all, understands everything better than everyone, even the PM... ... Yvet aspires to rule-the-coop of wavering chickens that only flap their wings for the benefit of Obama...

then beitenu will be the majority party and the pm leiberman will say what he means and mean what he says ! not one piece of paper in regard to israel since 1920 has been honoured ! so ther is no piont to more of the same

what if the palestininas really do not want peace, a peace that israel can live with? what if the terrorists among them are sufficiently large in numbers to torpedo any peace agreement? what if the entire world is against us, almost. after all, the recent attempts to squarly delegitimise the one and only jewish state are multiplying exponentionally. only time will tell whether he is some monster or a seer. for sure, neither peace nor israel's immage abroad will depend on what avigdor lieberman says.

I'm way too far removed to evaluate which of these two polar positions accurately describe Lieberman. However, I'm not so far removed to appreciate that those who support Lieberman consider him to be the former rather than the latter. When Lieberman says there is no one to negotiate peace with, that resonates with me. The Arab states are extreme in so many ways. Their stance on Israel is so extreme that from this perch, even if the critics of Lieberman are accurate, he can't even begin to approach the radicalism and lack of balance of Israel's enemies.

In that position he does more good for the Palestinian cause than anyone else in history. Therefore I support Lieberman 100% Lieberman (a former nightclub bouncer from Moldovia) has further served to isolate Israel within the International community with Barak and Peres having to run around visiting countries after Lieberman repairing the damage caused. World leaders are refusing to meet the International representative of the Israeli people. Nobody apart from the religious nutjobs are taking him seriously. Even Sakozy (a jew) has told Netanyahu to get rid of him. Lieberman cannot be sacked though, purely on comedic value alone, although I believe the corruption charges will catch up with him sooner rather than later. And Netanyahu might even get on bended knee and beg Livni to join his government so he can kick Lieberman and his cronies out.

Not a single modern Israeli leader is ever going to get rid of the worthless cabinet members who prop them up into power. Lieberman is a drag on Israel, but his place is certain because without him Israel goes to elections yet again. Dream on about trimming off the dead-weight.

I couldn't agree with you more. Lieberman is drastic departure from the usual diplomatic Israeli foreign minister. In fact ,he is an embarrassment to the state of Israel. This is not the time for extremist!

We need to get rid of him before he does any more damage to Israels already tarnished mage. Although the police investigation against his will hopefully do the job!

"the whole world is against us" which also mean that no country in the World likes you. I know that it is a sad truth but Israel worked pretty hard to get this opinion.

I think the talking part is just that on the part of the so called Palestinians, they have proved over and over again what thier true intent is,and it is not peace, if that were the issue it would have been a done deal long ago. Each demand the Isrealites have conceded to they have demanded more, at least Liberman has seen the light, the rest of the world will catch up after it is too late.

Why aren't Israelis hitting the international headlines every day with stories about their mass protests agains having a neo-fascist as FM. Because they aren't taking place. The real shame is that the normal Israeli accepts the status quo.......

His senior role in government shows just how far Israel has strayed from being a zionist state which one can respect and be proud of.

What kind of a foreign minister is this who rejects diplomacy and states that Israel will not be able to achieve peace with its adversaries in years to come?

Netanyahu would not relieve Lieberman, as this serves his true purpose... to torpedo the peace process. Netanyahu choose wisely in promoting Lieberman to FM, as this would make it easier for him to avoid peace, and at the same time not take personal responsibility for its failing. Netanyahu is only concerned about not "appearing" to be the intransigent side. His only goal is to "pass the ball" to the other side, without making any real progress. He's basically a pathological liar in power, and makes good company for Lieberman.

I think the foreign minister is hurting Israel. It's not good to quash any attempt at peace by not at least allowing the other side to prove their peaceful intentions. As an aside do the current confiscations of Palestinian land (for a treatment plant for a settlement) have anything to do with the current Israeli administration? I think Israel should be willing to do what it can to promote peace and if the other side pushes untenable demands on Israel (eg. unlimited right of return) then Israel will at least be able to not have blame placed on her.

He speaks from the heart of the Jewish people. Not like other politicians who say what they think people want to hear.

only way Lieberman is going to leave is if he is arrested.(which is not going to happen any time soon) one must ask why is it that Livni did not join the government? The main reason is a fundamental difference on what Livni and Netanyahu envision as the final status for Israel and potential Palestine Livni is willing to give away east-Jerusalem and Bibi is not.(though is willing to put it on the table but the pals will have to offer something really juicy to get it and so far it does not look like they are willing to pay the price) So Bibi had to form a government if the right wing parties like Israel beytenu and shas. The interesting part is for Lieberman to join he demanded to be FM. which he knew the PA would not negotiate with him due to his allegedly racist policies If Bibi and tzipi could consolidate thier differences then she and Abbas could hammer out the final status But as it stands Bibi and tzipi's opinions are about as different as the ocean is wide...

Nethanyhu does not want to appaear weak like Obama and Abbas and change his stance. Keeping Lieberman as FM is the only smart move. If he removes Lieberman (bad cop) he will have little flexibility in playing (good cop). At this time being prime minister of Israel is a balancing act.

Netanyahu in your own paper, say there is no excuses for us not to have peace and withdraw to 67 lines THEN announces 700 new houses to be built in East Jerusalem. And it's Lieberman who is confusing us and the international community !!!!!! It's time for our government to actually stick to a policy, instead of saying one thing then doing another which frankly makes us look to the whole world like liars of the first order. Even the Arabs would prefer we say, no deal on 67 lines than promise them East Jerusalem but keep building there. We look like total unscrupulous people. It's Netanyahu who contradicts himself, at least with Lieberman we know where we stand and so does the outside world.