Israeli Elections - Maybe Not Quite as Bad as People Think
Posted by Ilan Goldenberg
Joe Klein and Gershom Gorenberg have very depressing takes on the meaning of the results of the Israeli elections and the success of Avigdor Lieberman. Lieberman's ascension is terrible news in what it reflects about the current state of mind of Israeli society as well as the damage that Lieberman could do to Israel in the diplomatic arena.
But I do think we should take a wait and see approach. The political noises out of Israel today seem to be positive. Netanyahu appears to be looking to create a coalition government that includes Kadima and that means he might not need Lieberman. Haaretz reports
Netanyahu will then ask Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni to join his coalition, and may offer the rival party portfolios of foreign affairs (Livni) and defense (Mofaz). Former prime minister Ariel Sharon offered Labor's Shimon Peres and Benjamin Ben Eliezer these portfolios in 2001, immediately after he was elected prime minister in a similar bid to forge a quick coalition.
That isn't incredibly promising but at least it would keep Lieberman out of the foreign affairs and defense portfolios. One can't imagine that if he were to take either of those two positions it would work out well for Israel diplomatically. Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post reports:
Netanyahu and Livni both met with the leader of what has become the third largest party, Israel Beiteinu's Avigdor Lieberman, in an attempt to woo him. But Lieberman raised several demands that either prime ministerial candidate would have a hard time accepting.
Lieberman's accession is truly unfortunate. And there is no question that Israel's politics have moved to the right. But it's yet fully clear that he will in fact be the "kingmaker."
Even if Netanyahu forms a government with Kadima it is unlikely that the government will last more than a couple of years and Likud could then team up with Lieberman's party. The only way to decrease the power of Lieberman is to have some sort of two state solution toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Given the fragile state of Israel's politics it makes any kind of peace settlement not only more difficult but also urgently needed to prevent the situation from detriorating.
Posted by: Peace | February 12, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Even if Netanyahu forms a government with Kadima it is unlikely that the government will last more than a couple of years and Likud could then team up with Lieberman's party. The only way to decrease the power of Lieberman is to have some sort of two state solution toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
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Even if Netanyahu forms a government with Kadima it is unlikely that the government will last more than a couple of years and Likud could then team up with Lieberman's party. The only way to decrease the power of Lieberman is to have some sort of two state solution toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
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Even if Netanyahu forms a government with Kadima it is unlikely that the government will last more than a couple of years and Likud could then team up with Lieberman's party. The only way to decrease the power of Lieberman is to have some sort of two state solution toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Posted by: fake Gucci Bracelet | April 29, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Very well written post.I would like to say I am really glad this is being mentioned today regarding the decisions Netanyahu has made, I put a link about this somewhere yesterday...now, when it comes to Klein, it would have been much smarter for him to remain Anonymous again...then again when it comes to smarts, Joe was proves time and again he is really lacking in that area.
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