I am Likud
If Bibi runs into difficulties in Likud, he has an alternative plan - to add Kadima to his government and if necessary go to elections that would finally make Likud the ruling party.
By Yoel MarcusThis is the first time the ministers left the cabinet meeting without knowing more than the journalists. They followed the Washington summit from afar, as we all did. They saw the warmth with which the summit stars treated each other. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's optimism, the warm handshakes between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
They noticed that this was the first time Bibi spoke of the "West Bank" instead of "Judea and Samaria" - that he called Abbas his partner in peace. The foursome that marched festively toward the journalists was reminiscent of the Beatles in that famous photo where they crossed Abbey Road.
The meeting with Abbas was amiable, as though the two were not torn by bitter controversy and a crisis in confidence. Bibi also gave U.S. President Barack Obama reasons to trust him. In the closed, one-on-one conversations in Washington, Bibi was more focused and open than in the cabinet meeting, where he announced we would have to consider "new creative solutions to complex problems."
Silvan Shalom asked in an annoyed voice when a debate would be held. "We don't know where we stand. Doing things without a debate is not right and unacceptable. I don't remember such situations," Shalom said. But he is wrong. The talks at Camp David were held without the cabinet knowing what was going on. It was so much in the dark that transportation minister Meir Amit quit three days before the agreement with Egypt was signed.
"Never show a fool half a job," someone scoffed in Menachem Begin's entourage. Amit was no fool. He simply didn't believe that Begin was capable of signing a peace agreement.
The little Bibi said at the cabinet meeting sums up the issues he has not yet hammered out for himself. The next two meetings, one in about a week and the other around September 26 - the expiry date for the construction freeze in the settlements - will be significant regarding the first critical step. It is clear the construction freeze cannot be extended without the settlers rioting. But it is also clear the freeze cannot come to an end. This is one of those areas where we need "creative" thinking.
"There isn't an iota of arrogance in Bibi now, he's aware of the greatness of the hour and the magnitude of the problems," a confidant of the prime minister said.
Obama has not changed his attitude toward Bibi because of his low popularity in the polls, as commentators suggest, but because Bibi was open with him about the moves required to solve the conflict and gave him sufficient reason to trust him. He certainly didn't slap him on the shoulder and say "it will be okay."
But life doesn't begin and end with the settlements; we should also pay attention to the positive developments in the West Bank. The Palestinians are fighting the terror hubs. Thanks to Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, denunciations of Israel are gradually being removed from the textbooks, and don't forget the creeping normalization of everyday life.
Asked if the prime minister would be ready to make compromises that would gain a majority in the cabinet, the confidant said most Likud ministers and Knesset members would stand behind Bibi. Not Silvan Shalom, Benny Begin, Tzipi Hotovely and Miri Regev, but most Likud ministers and MKs.
Likud today is the people's party, what the left-wing Mapai party was for decades. In its conduct and policy, the party reflects most of what the people desire. Many of those who voted for Likud, and even those who didn't, saw it expand from 12 to 27 Knesset seats and will want power to remain in the hands of a larger, stronger Likud, as long as the concessions to the Palestinians don't harm security.
Is Bibi showing signs of parting from the dream of a Greater Israel? Perhaps. If he is, it is both due to moderate pressure by Clinton, whom Obama charged with the task, and a feeling of a historic mission, a feeling that a crack has been opened for a move that has potential. If Bibi runs into difficulties in Likud, he has an alternative plan - to add Kadima to his government and if necessary go to elections that would finally make Likud the ruling party.
As for the question that will keep being asked - is Likud behind him - there may come a day, if he acts wisely and courageously, when Bibi will be able to say: I am Likud.
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| Photo by: Amos Biderman | amosb@haaretz.co.il |
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how true! and indeed there are lots of positive developments in the westbank, also concerning the growing palestinian economy - something which happens thanks to israeli support, among others.
To suggest otherwise is to declare his representations at the commencement of the peace talks as beyond insincere, an act of subterfuge. But why would the Americans commence peace talks at this of all times if mere shadowboxing is the result. Israel's international position would be further eroded, the US position as an able intermediary would be dissolve, instead there would be reinforcement of the historical perspective with the US as party with Israel in avoiding peace indefinitely. And then there's the PA with its US funded Security Apparatus which might then crumble along with the PA due to being perceived as complicit in the occupation. What the upside to all this, to accomplish something on the diplomatic stage as damaging as the recent IDF action on the high seas? Surely not!
The backbone of the palestinians claim for a nationhood is islam. But islam is not a nation ! A nation is "any sovereign state with political autonomy and settled territory" (A Dictionary of Political Thought by Roger Scruton). Hardly any of all these attributes can be applied on the palestinians and the land they claim to be their historic home ! Specially in the key matter of sovereignty and political autonomy. This rage of the palestinians is a case of an upraise that was never in the palestinians history against any sovereign came in their land, with the exception of the jews who are reviving an ancient & valid claim in their history ! That what made this conflict not a valid political event but a rage that has no political history behind it !
Yes, the Lijkud today is the people's party thanks to Ehud Barak who despite having received the greatest electoral mandate ever, succeeded in destroying the Labor party that brought him to power. Now even the Labor party is part of the Likud as Barak clings on to Bibi for power !
It NEVER was. If Arabs need to be educated, then they should know that PALESTINE is the name given to the Province of JUDAH, the Homeland of the Jewish people 2000 years ago by the Romans. PALESTINE is JEWISH. It was NEVER Arab Land but always JEWISH LAND being the former Province of JUDAH. Why is there no outrage and disageement from the Jewish people who have been crying for their 'Palestine' for thousands of years now that ARAB/REFUGEES call it THEIR 'Palestine'...! It is a dangerous and ominous development and one need only ask the question, 'When did PALESTINE become Arab' ?
The Reason being some were offered a hefty sum of money to tweek history and re write it to include the so called non existing fabricated "Palestinians" to give them legitimacy and they succeeded I wont mention who and or what did it but there are several on the net you can google them as "Revisionists" HIstory was totally tweaked in the arab favour so now you understand about "some Jews" betraying their people so cleverly for a buck or a Euro. When you write them and confront with that question they get very defensive so you know they know they are guilty as dirt
What about all those Palestinian Arabs living on the West Bank? Yes, they are there. You can try to avoid them if you like, but they are live human beings, just like you. And they can call themselves whatever they like. Just like you.
people like petunia, chafeeka, momma legga et al, are simply "religulous". No point in arguing with them.
Is when the Arab Muslim armies conquered the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, including Israel/Palestine/Judea. From then Arabic was the common tongue. Arabs had been migrating in steadily since Roman times.
but clueless as to exactly what PM Netanyahu plans to embark on behalf of Israel's position regarding the peace process with the Palestinians. The unclear political rhetoric of declaring that "creativity" is required for future decisions is vintage Netanyahu - regarding what particular issue? Until next month.... the saga continues.
smadar believes that peace can be acheived by appeasement ! study the worlds history smadar it never happened yet !
would an agreement between abbas and netanyahu actually be binding and really end the conflict. would the deal need to be ratified by the knesset, if not, perhaps plunging the country into a snap election and delay if not terminate the deal. On the other hand Abbas' term ended in Jan. 09, many palestinians openly defy his authority. would the treaty need to be approved by palestinians in a referendum or by leaders of multiple factions eg: FPLP, Hamas, PLO? Success in negotiations will certainly lead to major headaches in both camps...
So better to not address the issues and not formalize peace. Yes I can see how that would be preferable...