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Binyamin Netanyahu to be Israel's Next Prime Minister
Binyamin Netanyahu, the hawkish Likud leader, is to be Israel's next Prime Minister after President Shimon Peres ask him to form a coalition government today.
Binyamin Netanyahu to be Israel's Next Prime Minister.(Kevin Frayer/AP) Mr Netanyahu finished a close second behind Tzipi Livni, candidate for the centrist Kadima party, in the country's general election, winning 27 seats to Ms Livni's 28.
However the Likud leader yesterday won the crucial endorsement of Avigdor Lieberman, whose ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party finished third overall.
As a result, Mr Peres has decided that Mr Netanyahu - and not the Kadima leader - is best placed to form a coalition government with Ms Livni relying instead on the support of poorly-performing left-wing parties.
"The President has made a decision regarding the formation of the government and the presidency will summon deputy Benjamin Netanyahu at 1415 (1215 GMT) to entrust him with this task," Mr Peres's office said.
Despite support from the far-right, Mr Netanyahu is known to want to form a coalition with Kadima.
However, Ms Livni has said that she will not join a government which she would regard as hostile to making progress in the peace process and was prepared instead to enter opposition. "I will not be a pawn in a government that would be against our ideals," she said.
- Posted in
47 Comments so far
Show AllI thought Israel had a democracy?
Just because Likud receive the endorsement of the nationalist Yisrael Beitenu should be insufficient for Likud to receive the nod from Peres. In every democracy I know, Likud would have to first form a coalition with Yisrael Beitenu before being asked to lead the Knesset.
Israel is looking more and more like a dictatorship with a sham parliament every day. No wonder it is such a pathetic nation.
Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in their moccasins - Native American proverb.
Bad news all around. Remains to be seen how hard a line Clinton will draw with BJ, but her past doesn't suggest much in the way of hope. Between the half-wits running Hamas and their new equivalent at the top in Tel Aviv, the Palestinians are caught between what amounts to two rival gangs.
Really can't understand the Israelis (not that the world understood us--re-electing the "worst President in history). This will only harden Palestinian support for Hamas, and it's going to make things tough on Abbas. Both sides seem to insist on continuing to shoot themselves in the foot
Will also no doubt mean no Shalit-for-Barghouti swap. That's unfortunate. Bargouti promises at least some degree of fresh thinking. Can't get no worse, right?
m horan
http://www.nosuppertonight.com
"Both sides seem to insist on continuing to shoot themselves in the foot"
It's not just themselves that they continue to shoot, but the U.S. as well. Were it not for our undying support for Israel, no matter how heinous their actions, we would not be so deeply embroiled in the Middle East, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Israel Lobby in the US is an arm of the Zionist right wing of Israel, which seems to grow with every day. We need to confront the IL at every turn. They are not our friends.
Just as Americans were collectively responsible for 8 years of GW Bush, so too are Isrealis collectively responsible for more of Netanyahu...and all the violence that "security" brings.
I do not agree (with your comment about Israel....not Dubya). Israeli citizens collectively voted for centrist Kadima. It appears that President Peres has not given Kadima the opportunity to form a coalition, and has thus over-ridden the will of Israel.
As I have said earlier, Israel is looking more and more like a totalitarian regime rather than a democracy.
Maybe the US should consider "regime change" in Israel?
Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in their moccasins - Native American proverb.
WTF, but Livni was a Likud party leader until fairly recently. And she also was a member of Mossad for a few years, many years ago. I don't think there is that much difference between them, really. Maybe it would be like the differnce between George W. and John Mccain.
I don't know if they will invade Iran. If Bush and Company gave them the no-go and they didn't do it. They can't afford to piss off the u.s.--literally. Of course, who can predict anything in this world anymore. I do think israel has become, more and more, a covert american military operation. And i used to say that Netanyahu was a CIA operative. That was a strong feeling i used to have about him.
And it works well, because they don't care what the world thinks of them at all. So they will do anything. Intersing, because the invasion of Iraq was another example of playing both the victim/victimizer roles simultaneously. Iraq was an 'existential' threat to the u.s. the way Iran is an 'existential' threat against Israel. "We are potentially going to be victimized so we need to attack first".
I've always believed (hoped?) that a leopard can change its spots. One only need look at Joe Lieberman to know that he carries no Democratic Party baggage!
I believe that Livni being ex-Mossad is not a bad thing. Having contacts within the intelligence community can be a better thing than listening only to the head, as we did with Tenet. Intelligence analysts (Tenet was never one) exercise a different part of their brain to most people, and can offer profound insight and out-of-the-box thinking. Livni may have made a change from the usual run of professional politicians/lawyers/scumbags that usually control political parties.
I don't believe Livni would have been truly transformative of ME politics, but it may have been a step in the right direction.
Like O'Bomber. Yeah, right.
Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in their moccasins - Native American proverb.
It is important to remember that "Centrist" Kadima was founded by Sharon who took the parts of Likud who believed in some sort of two state approach (the smaller half of Likud) and combined it with the conservative, Rabin side, of Labor.
While a combination of Likud and Labor, it was founded on Sharon's vision, which seemed to be to wall off the Palestinian areas into economically unviable ghettos, and hope that over the future decades they will whither away from out migration, and retaliatory confiscation.
Bibi seems to be driven by the desire to seek power, and the path has been to outflank on the anti-arab side, first Sharon, and now his sucessors.
I can only conceive of that being the same as Sharon's plan, with the addition of regular shellings like in the Gaza Cast Lead operation. Not that anyone cares, but that is too close to the Warsaw Ghetto minus the death camp trains for me.
Well, yes, they did vote for Netanyahu, but by the slimmest of a majority...similar to what happened in the US. Slim enough for hanky-panky to rule the day. And who is to say that Peres is not the same as the US Supreme Court - both taking matters into their own hands.
Netanyahu won because, as with the US, enough Israelis were scared by their own government into voting for the "security" candidate. Now they will reap their own bitter fruit. Unfortunately, so will we.
Ted, Kadima won the majority of votes, not Likud. But Kadima did not receive enough of the votes (50%) such that they could lead Knesset without forming a coalition.
Livni has so far been unsuccessful in forming a coalition, and hence, Peres gave Knesset leadership to the second place winner (i.e., first loser), the despicable Likud.
Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in their moccasins - Native American proverb.
Oh crap. This is NOT good. This all but assures that Iran (and other ME country's) WILL eventually get the bomb now. If nothing else to keep Isreal at bay with MAD. It'll also force the US to make some hard choices now concerning the (now) rabid jewish state.
Before Iran (and other Middle Eastern countries) would even have the chance to start thinking about considering developing nuclear weapons, Israel and it's pusher/supplier (the US) would be all over them like priests on choirboys.
Bibi Netanyahu, in the opening days of his new kleptocracy, has already stated the 'Iran is our greatest threat'.
Dollars to donuts, that means the US has already approved the Israeli attack plan, and we can expect two things:
1) Israel is going to be damn fool enough to actually attack Iran ala Gaza. That is, using all the American supplied weapons at their disposal, including, but not limited to white phosphorus and other chemical weapons, DIME (Dense Inert Metallic Explosives) weapons, and very likely their hoarded and illegal store of approximately 200 nuclear warheads.
2) Any attack on Iran by Israel, or elements of the US military will result in the immediate closure of the Straight of Hormuz, crippling the oil trade worldwide. OPEC will immediately suspend oil trading with the US and any other country that supports Israel (so much for Canada and UK). Collapse of the oil trade will terminally cripple ANY chance for any kind of economic stability (if there even was any), and ensure the total collapse of the Western technologically dependant lifestyle.
Walk in peace.
Totalitarianism and kakastocracy have an undenialble appeal to the people of Israel which they seem to enjoy soaking their fellow human beings into. Where are the people of "Never Again"?
Kakastocracy continues!
The USA had it first!
USA! USA! USA!
Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in their moccasins - Native American proverb.
The Paskudnyak is Back!
What does the left-handed salute mean? Is that flying the flag upside down?
This is not a good thing.
The Israelis have chosen the Prince of Darkness, again.
They must be pretty happy in the 'Holy Land' with this election according to a potential American settler's impressions:
Details on government grants available, housing allowances etc were laid out. It seems like a very well organized process...There seems to be great excitement that the "Arab problem" is about to be solved by the election of Likud with the cooperation of Yisrael Beiteinu. A majority of the people we talked with felt that the new government would formally establish the Palestinian "reservations (economic zones)" leaving Israel to expand into the gaps...one thing is not hyperbole and that is a dramatic increase in public hatred of Arabs. It used to be Jews were seemingly embarrassed to vocalize such sentiments and would usually do so only after 6 or 8 glasses of wine. Now at campaign rallies, at shul and just about everywhere you hear cries of death to the Arabs, move'em out etc...Meanwhile settlement activity continues to grow. The construction in the E-1 corridor is amazing and soon Ma'ale Adumim will extend all the way to Jerusalem cutting off most Palestinian access.
after 9/11 did bibi not say that this event, would bring more world sympathy towards the state of israel.
As I recall, his exact words - issued on the day of the event, where he happened to be present and ready for the cameras (same holds true of bombings in London) were "I believe it will be good for Israel"
makes one want to start and wonder. has there ever been any updates or verification of the dancing israelis?
REALITYZONE-Hello, Yaron Schmuel, Oded Ellner, Sivian Kurzburg, Paul Kurzburg and Omer Marmari are safe in Tel Aviv. These Israelis were released after 71 days by Israeli-american? Michael Chertoff.
Urban Moving Systems owner Suter and his family are also safe back home. Leaving behind a thriving business, home et al to Houdini overnite after 9-11 when wanted for FBI questioning. From israel he refused to answer questions.
As did Paul Kurzburg who refused Polygraphing for ten weeks. The he failed his test.
When arrested at gunpoint and handcuffed, Ellner said "The Palestinians are the problem" to the cop......
The Jewish Country knew the Towers were going to be coming down. Foreknowledge Equals Opportunity.
Israel wanted the "cataclysmic event" to transpire=War on the Arabs/Iraq. Motive.
The Mossad can bring buidings down. Lay charges. Means.
Those A*#&$$$ are busted. 3000 dead Americans. One million dead Iraqis.
They just got caught celebrating, that is all. SLOPPY Operatives.
On an Israeli talk show after the Operation was finally over, they were debriefed and being Heroes, Ellner said "Our purpose was only to document it." ie, Yes, we knew the impacts would happen. Period. Dead Americans, Dead Arabs, Let's Dance!
But Jewish Life is Sacred, invaluable, while my goyim flesh ain't Kosher. Has no more value than 3,000 people burned to death, jumping alive to their deaths while these Jews SIMLULTANEOUSLY DANCE celebrate.
But I'll be sure and be okay with that.
Because otherwise I am "anti-semitic"
Screw that. My life is worth as much as Jewish life. Joseph.
More. Because I cherish all people. Except killers and oppressors. Which the Israelis and their Tentacles are.
AZJOE; thanks for the update. do you know me, or do i know you from some where?
Good Morning REALITYZONE.
We've not met to my knowledge.
I'm pretty under the radar.
But after this last election cycle I have begun getting active in the Progressive Democrats of America,
An organization PragmaticLiberal pointed me towards.
I will be in Sac for their annual meet in April,
But mostly I tend my garden and my dogs. Joseph.
Hi Azjoe,
I am going to respond as best i can here (and you know where i stand on israel, etc)...
Israeli intelligence, along with the FBI had warned about the coming world trade center attacks. That came out long ago. The u.s. chose to ignore it. People were fired from the FBI, one woman in particular and i can't remember her name, but she was on Democracy Now alot.
Bush and Co wanted it to happen, and who knows what else. Even the very lame 911 hearings had condoleeza rice saying that the information was pretty much given ahead of time. And there is lots of technical proof that it was known ahead of time. If the 'dancing israelis' is true, they were working with/for bush and company.
Also, regarding not caring about unkosher flesh--there was probably a very high percentage of jews working in the twin towers compared to many other places in the u.s.
Peace from me to you....
READY; question, that has always bothered me. why did the secret service allow the president of the united states to stay in that classroom for over six minutes after andrew card told him the second plane hit the towers. first one being an accident is understandable. after they knew the second one hit, they knew it was on purpose, yet they left him sitting there. WHY?
RZ...I don't know the answer to that one. Except, i don't think he was that relevant, really. And maybe that was a 'safe' place for him to be.
As i recall now, i think there were several Saudis who were the only ones allowed to travel on planes who left the country the next day.
Hi Friend. R, I am sure Cheney knew. MI5. When you say "the u.s. chose to ignore it" that is a blanket statement. I feel more accurately, some got wind of it who "should not have," and they were ignored or silenced.
al-Queda 'hatches' the plot.
Radical elements within the neoCON (Israeli/American) intelligence community get wind of it. Recognize it as the "cataclysmic event" they have sought.
They, Israeli & U.S. spooks lay the charges in the weeks/ months prior.
On 9-11, pieces in place, facilitated, it goes happens.
It is Filmed by the Five Dancing Israelis who probably helped. Along with Cheney Spooks too, I suspect. Although if so, they were smart enough not to set up cameras ahead of time and Party & Dance with Joy in Public as the Towers were turned into a Crematorium For The Living.
Which brings me to your last point. I know you have a Heart of Gold, but most, I feel, Israelis see non-Jewish life as worth less than their own. That is quite clear.
Shalom, from my two new puppies to you.
I wish you a Beautiful Day! Joseph.
Joseph, i think that makes sense. I know cheney and friends wanted another 'pearl harbor' so the u.s. could invade wherever it wished. And i was protesting the invasion of afghanistan in DC before it even happened. I knew Afghanistan was about major oil pipeline. And then Iraq...
I do agree about many israelis, being arrogant and self absorbed and feeling they are superior,etc.
I have never identified with particular organizations or ethnicities or religions, but rather with values and qualities of Being of individuals. Things like this.
I do think israel will self destruct, when all is said and done. But actually, they aren't the only ones. I think we are on a very unpredictable course in world events right now. "The shadow is darkest when the light is the brightest". So, who knows how it will all play out. So many probabilities and unpredictabilites. It is all about learning and growing and evolving. It is so important to keep the larger perspective and then there is meaning in all of this.
Two new puppies! That sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing that news.
And i wish you the best as well.
A Z J O E _&_ REALITY_ZONE
There is also extremely tight, direct, and incriminating connections of same LLL experts ( i.e. criminally amoral scientists ) who brought to our world mind-f⊃©kingly deadly anti-personal ☠_D I M E_☠ ( Dense Inert Metal Explosives ) to Gaza, and :
The amazingly energetic ☠_N A N O - T H E R M A T E S_☠ explosives that actually brought down WTC 1, 2, … . Witness the FACTS of various sizes of vitrified highly energetic residue of iron spheroids in WTC's both totally unexplained and "pulverized" concrete dusts … .
Notice that nanothermates ( substitute reactive Mg and Al - for inert W, along with addition of reactive Fe ) could be accurately characterized as
Light Ractive Metal Explosives == ☠_L R M E_☠.
When one focuses on the heavy metal Fe ( IRON ) as similar to tungsten ( W ), we could alternately create the novel acronym of ☠_D R M E_☠ ( Dense Reactive Metal Explosives ).
Further evidence of a "conspiratorial" connection is that the shrubisher appointed these self-same LLL experts into the DOE ( just after _9_!_!_ , which then became "scientific" core of the WTC building failure investigations.
¿ Remember, those energetic and very thorough self-same officious shills who didn't look for explosive residue ( as required by multiple LAWs ), because it didn't fit their conclusions ?
Namaste
P. S.
Being anti-criminal is always justified,
while blind antisemitic hate is also criminal
Okay is Bibi thumbing his nose or not? And if he is at whom is he making the gesture?
Poet
i think his gesture is that he is fore telling the future. more settlements, more walls, more threats, more ethnic cleansing, a permanent gulag gaza, and more brown shirts for his zionism.
Actually, it looks like a salute or a wave in progress. His hand is fairly far away from his face. But that was a cute observation. :)
From the responses here it would seem that many readers believe this makes some sort of difference. It doesn't.
The Hillel-ist Israel has been replaced by a Shamai-ist Israel. That never turns out well.
Tzipi says: "I will not be a pawn in a government that would be against our ideals." What ideals would those be, I wonder? Something like massacring as many children and civilians in as little time as possible, using weapons like white phosphorus and DIME explosives that will surely ensure many slower deaths (those not resulting from depleted uranium, that is), bombing UN facilities being used as safe houses by innocents, achieving a "reprisal" kill ratio of 100 to 1, outdoing the Nazis' ratio by ten times? Are these the ideals she's talking about? Or is it perhaps the ideal of stringing along the "peace process" for as many years as it takes to populate the West Bank to the point that any uprooting of implantations becomes impossible short of civil war for Israel? The right/left paradigm ceased having any meaning in Israel long ago, if it ever did. The labourites have always been as thorough in their ethnic cleansing as the likudniks. They just wring their hands a little more.
CLOVIS; i agree, as in israel as in the US, the same paymaster. the baton may be handed from one party to the next, but the agenda stays the same.
Netanyahu ?!!! Is this israels response to Hamas ? Maybe its time to bomb the hell out of israel since they elected a right-wing party. Cluster bombs and precision-guided ammo. Take the leaders out. Knowing likud, they will probably hide behind the civilian population, but thats too bad ... collateral damage.
Well now, any guess what the recently disappeared unexploded Israeli ordinance (including unused phosphorus shells) may be used for?
Do you think someone knew Bibi would be selected?
Hmmmmmm!
Well, riddimboy, a new voice emerges here in the good old comment section - but perhaps i just don't recognize it.
As some here know, i am a pacifist and have a low threshold for the promoting of violence on a progressive site or anywhere else for that matter. "An eye for an eye makes a world of blind men" That is Ghandi.
Also, if you are an american citizen, then you live in a country who voted for George W. Bush two times including a majority of right wing born again republicans. Did you advocate the same violence against your own home? Might be time for a little reality check.
ZIEG HEIL! ZIEG HEIL! ZIEG HEIL!
This is our fault for not taking away Israel's toys when it was young...now it is just a spoiled brat. I think it's time for some tough love. Cut 'em off.
So the Fuhrer Peres has crowned a successor for the for the 51st State of the Fourth Reich known as AmeriKkkar...
Give those pure persecuted Kapitalist Nazi Israeli Jews some nuclear weapons!
No thanks, Fuhrer Yee haw!!!
Rayguns, Clintoris, all the AmeriKKarnazi Private BusHitlers and their Prince of Darkness, Dick Halliburton, and the world's most famous houseboy puppet, O'Bomber will be glad to know that their final solution is so close at hand!!!
:-(
Mike Morin
www.peoplesequityunion.blogspot.com
It's desperation and fear that causes people to elect butchers like Netanyahu. He's sending Jews into the heart of the sun and dragging the Arab world along with them.
And the world too.
I have studied the picture (above) of Binyamin Netanyahu for several minutes and now I have just one question to ask:
Were Binyamin Netanyahu and Dick Cheney separated at birth?