Opportunity for change
Netanyahu insists that he, not Lieberman, crafts the government's policy. He should now put his money where his mouth is, and use his meeting with the foreign minister today as a lever to change the coalition.
Haaretz Editorial
The signs of a crisis in the relationship between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman are multiplying. Tensions peaked when ministers from Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party voted against the state budget after the all-night cabinet meeting Thursday and Friday, which Lieberman did not attend. Yisrael Beiteinu claims Netanyahu has given it the short end of the stick compared to other coalition partners, Labor and Shas, which received hefty budgetary allocations in spheres particularly dear to them.
This cabinet meeting vote was preceded by several contrarian steps by the foreign minister, who was insulted when Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer met with Turkey's foreign minister without his knowledge. Lieberman retaliated by appointing a diplomat of middling status as Israel's acting ambassador to the United Nations, and by disclosing the "political plan for separation from the Gaza Strip" on the eve of Netanyahu's departure for Cairo, knowing that this would antagonize the Egyptians. At yesterday's cabinet meeting, Netanyahu added another pinch to the brew of Lieberman insults when he opposed Yisrael Beiteinu's conversion law.
Aggravating tensions between the Jewish majority and Arab minority, Lieberman and his party brought serious damage to the state by waging a racist campaign during the last national election, and by promoting "loyalty laws." As foreign minister, Lieberman has emerged as a failure, conspicuous primarily for the rebukes and censures he has been dealt by foreign states and leaders. Many statesmen boycott him or meet with him only so the encounter appears on the record. His input regarding key political and security policies and matters, such as relations with the United States, the peace process and the flotilla affair, has been either negligible or negative. His conversion law proposal threatens to undermine Israel's crucial relationship with Jewish communities in the United States.
The crisis between Netanyahu and Lieberman gives the prime minister an opportunity to toss Yisrael Beiteinu out of the coalition, and to replace it with Kadima. Hardly a wonder party, Kadima merits criticism for its support of anti-democratic laws, measures silently condoned by party head Tzipi Livni.
But Livni deserves credit for her resolute support for the two-state solution. More than any other step the prime minister might take, including her party in the government would signal to the international community that Netanyahu means business with his policy overtures.
Netanyahu insists that he, not Lieberman, crafts the government's policy. He should now put his money where his mouth is, and use his meeting with the foreign minister today as a lever to change the coalition.
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It is possible to be critical without being crass. Recommend this approach to Haaretz.
After all when one looks at it one finds that Israel Beitenu is as a matter of fact Likud's russian speaking subsidiary.
The journalist writing this article did a very poor job in describing the Kadima party in writing "Hardly a wonder party, Kadima merits criticism for its support of anti-democratic laws, measures silently condoned by party head Tzipi Livni." What anti-democratic laws and what does this mean to the coalition?
Bibi and Lieberman are best pals. Also, except for idiotic "loyalty law", Lieberman makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately very few hear what he actually says, the trend seems to be to call him fascist without ever hearing a single word. Lieberman is actually sincerely pushing for a two state solution (unlike Bibi).
The forces of ultra-right wing extremism that dominate Israel have not abated. Israel is like several nations in the 1930s, overwhelmed by feelings of victimization by the world, entranced by the love of military conquest, and loving the rich and heady mixture of racial superiority and right wing dreams of national omnipotence and invulnerability. Like those nations, Israel will not recover until the monsters of the right have brought it to utter destruction. That is the way the world works once a nation has quaffed the dreams of the right. .
I am surprised that Haaretz makes no mention of the fact that Lebanon's Harari is now calling for closer ties with Syria. Syria, accused of orchestrating his father's murder, was not so long ago enemy number 1 of the Lebanese Christians. But with this Israeli government they have changed their minds. Netanyahu et al are Israel's worst enemies. Everybody is giving up on them. They have blackened to horizons of the future for a long time to come.
Netanyahu will be the saviour of non-orthodox Jews. Lieberman will be the guy who pushed Netanyahu around. The orthodox representative have shown to their Rabbis they did their best, and religious parties will explain their constituencies that "governments perks are more important for supporting Torah right now, so we'll make the sacrifice and stay in the government". But day-dreaming is not a felony.
Very cynical comment!
Labor is anxious for Kadima to join the coalition, as if this will strengthen the peace forces. But the problem is Likud itself, the majority members of which do not believe in peace and prefer holding on to the Territories. Next time the idea of joining the coalition is raised, Livni should come up with a counter proposal: Let Netanyahu split away from Likud (with at least 7 Knesset members as required by law, but current estimates is that about 12 relative "moderates" are available there), let them join Kadima and Netanyahu will REMAIN Prime Minister. If Netanyahu is really interested in peace and not in excuses, then he really belongs in Kadima because this is how that party was formed. Let Likud fall into the hands of the ideological nuts and religious fanatics. It carries with it a lousy ideology.
Livni is the head of Kadima. And ou are suggesting she lets Netanyahu into Kadima, while letting him keep the premiership, which effectively would make him head of Kadima. I mean, that would be a very selfless act, but unfortunately politics do not reward selflessness. Nor is it a particularly democratic act, because Kadima voted for Livni, not Netanyahu.
I am suggesting that Netanyahu remains PM (as he will be even if Livni does nothing), and Livni keeps the job of chairman of Kadima, thus controlling the internal workings. Elections for Chairman will be held a few months before the national elections and she can run for the job (which then includes the premiership). I don't believe Livni is a good leader of her party; she does nothing other give a speech every crisis or so. and is likely to lose the leadership anyhow to Tzahi Hanegbi. It is better for her to look "selfless" and keep the Foreign Ministry job than to just lose and perhaps deteriorate further.
That voter voted in the last election to have a right wing government. Of course, the average voter is stupid and the better educated and knowledgeable leadership should make decisions contrary to the desire of the voter. That's OK but in the next election, let the candidate who so believes tell the voter how stupid he is, and that the candidate will do whatever he thinks is right, regardless of the wishes of the voter. If this is not clear please ask Ahmed Aminajad how this is done. If the wishes of the voter are to be disregarded, as was the case with Sharon and Rabin, then let Israel stop having electins and stop the masquerade of being a democracy.
... she was a laudable FM with diplomatic achievements that Lieberman has ruined and tramped underfoot...
She was a joke of FM. Her every public appearance on American TV was a disaster. As for her "diplomatic achievements" - the most impressive one is 40,000 Hezbolla rockets in Southern Lebanon.
You mean the Cast Lead, don't you ?
Livni is terrific on NA TV. She is slightly humourless (which is disconcerting in any Jew) but comes across as sensible, intelligent, and reasonably accommodating. Now compare that to Yvette...
I ask again, where where where is Israel's Labor Party? At a time like this it is time for a No Confidence Vote in the Knesset and new elections? Where are you Labor????? Are you going to silently allow this disasterous government continue? Boot them all!
If Bibi dumps his erstwhile pal, Avigdor, who put him into the PM's chair in the first place, the chances that we might have an election soon cannot be altogether discounted. Given the current mood of much of the country, I am not convinced that the next government would be an improvement on this one; perhaps it would be worse, a possibility once contemplated that can turn hair grey. I will use this space, until banned by the moderator to state again and again that the left better get its act together, soon, very soon. We must have an umbrella organization for all left wing parties and organizations so that the enfeebled left may rise from its place of hiding and provide a choice for Israeli voters.
If Bibi dumps his erstwhile pal, Avigdor, who put him into the PM's chair in the first place, the chances that we might have an election soon cannot be altogether discounted. Given the current mood of much of the country, I am not convinced that the next government would be an improvement on this one; perhaps it would be worse, a possibility once contemplated that can turn hair grey. I will use this space, until banned by the moderator to state again and again that the left better get its act together, soon, very soon. We must have an umbrella organization for all left wing parties and organizations so that the enfeebled left may rise from its place of hiding and provide a choice for Israeli voters.
We all can see that Lieberman is like a spoiled child and holds the strings of the government like a puppetmaster. Be a man and get back your strings Bibi. Then maybe you can get your strings from Obama, too.
.... they became even more friends after every fracass.... Netanyahu actually appears to like Lieberman in despite of the whole world hoping that he will throw Yvet out. He won't....He's afraid of any alternative.