Tag Archive for Israeli politics

| March 11, 2020
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The three Israeli ex-generals: Fickle, Faithless and Feckless

In a breathtaking display of immoral cynicism, Blue & White’s leadership, which of the four, three are former IDF Chiefs of Staff who appear prepared to welsh on their most explicit campaign pledge. – But most unbelievable: the harm to Israel is far worse than their deceitfulness to their supporters.

By Dr. Martin Sherman

 

This week, Israeli politics plumbed appalling new lows with reports that, Blue & White, which, as the major rival to PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, emerged as the second largest party in last week’s Knesset elections  was actively planning to violate its solemn pledges to the voters, made only days previously. Continue Reading »

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| December 17, 2015
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Israel Formally Signs Natural Gas Deal With US, Israeli Gas Companies To Develop Additional Gas Deposits

 

Israel’s PM Netanyahu, who is also Minister of Economy, signs deal after months of contention, that’s meant to regulate the energy market in Israel.
• Energy Minister Steinitz adds, ‘The people of Israel will get 60% of the profit, a higher percent of the natural gas profits, than most western countries get.’

By Amir Alon

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also the minister of economy, signed on Thursday the natural gas deal with US and Israeli gas companies to develop Israel’s offshore gas deposits, despite months of protest by liberal MKs and environmentalists.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signing gas deal – Photo: Haim Horenstein

Ahead of the signing, Netanyahu asserted that “there is no way to open up the additional gas fields without this plan, it is the only chance.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 16, 2015
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Israel’s MK Lieberman initiates offensive to remove Haneen Zoabi from Knesset

 

MK Lieberman’s proposal seeks to restrain the Supreme Court from interfering in the Knesset’s Central Elections Committee decisions to ban a candidate, or a political party, from participating in Israel’s elections for parliament.

By Attila Somfalvi

 

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman launched a campaign on Wednesday morning calling to remove Joint Arab List MK Haneen Zoabi from the Knesset.

Lieberman holding a sign calling to ‘Kick Haneen Zoabi from the Knesset – for good!’

“Together, we will kick out terror supporters from the Knesset,” Lieberman said in a Facebook post.

In a video posted on his official Facebook page, the Yisrael Beytenu leader calls on the Israeli public to pressure MKs to support his new bill proposal that seeks to remove both Zoabi and her party Balad, currently a part of the Joint Arab List, from the Knesset. Continue Reading »

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| December 1, 2015
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PM Netanyahu seeks law allowing absentee ballots for Israelis living abroad

 

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking several electoral reforms, the allowing of full absentee voting & automatically enabling leader of the largest party to form the government.

By Mati Tuchfeld & Shlomo Cesana

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that he plans to spearhead several electoral reforms, including one that would allow Israelis living abroad to vote in general elections.

A new bill may make it easier for expats to participate in Israeli elections. – Photo: Reuters

Under Israeli law, absentee ballots are reserved for diplomatic corps personnel and official Israeli emissaries only. The law does not allow citizens who are traveling or have moved to other countries to vote. Continue Reading »

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| November 27, 2014
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Suggested legislation requires MKs to swear loyalty to ‘Jewish State of Israel’

MK Miri Regev’s (Likud) bill that would require new Knesset members to swear allegiance to the Jewish State of Israel, will likely inspire the ire of Arab Knesset members.

By Moran Azulay

New legislation being put forth by a firebrand Likud Knesset member could force new Israeli legislators to swear loyalty to Israel as a Jewish state before they can join the Knesset ranks; a move which will likely infuriate Arab and leftist MKs.

With neither the wintery weather nor the stormy session on the ‘Jewish nationhood’ bill yet to pass, the Knesset is gearing up for another contentious debate next Sunday, when the Ministerial Committee for Legislation will discuss the proposal, by MK Miri Regev, which will put into a law the demand that parliamentarians swear allegiance to the Jewish state of Israel. Continue Reading »

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| November 17, 2014
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Arab citizens strongly object to the ‘Jewish State’ bill, but many Druse show support

 

Just hours after PM Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for the bill, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni postponed the Ministerial Committee for Legislation’s vote at the last minute.

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON

 

Arabs strongly oppose an initiative giving Israel’s status as a Jewish state legal weight or removing the status of Arabic as an official language, seeing it as an anti-Arab move that is against democratic values.

Jewish and arab at Rami Levy supermarket in Jerusalem

Jewish and Arab customers at a Rami Levy supermarket in Jerusalem. – Photo: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (Hatnua) postponed the Ministerial Committee for Legislation’s vote at the last minute on Sunday, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for the bill. Continue Reading »

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| September 3, 2014
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Poll reveals Minister Naftali Bennett new leader of Israeli right

Latest survey says Jewish Home party head best represents Israel’s right.

Lieberman stands by W. Bank land annexation.

By i24news

 

The new leader of the Israeli right and greatest threat to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership is Bayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home) party head Naftali Bennett, according to a poll released Monday by Panel Politics on behalf of the Knesset Channel.

Naftali Bennett, ministre israélien de l'Economie ( AFP )

Minister Naftali Bennett, Bayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home) party head – Photo: AFP

The poll asked who best illustrates the beliefs of the right-wing, allowing respondents to select from between Netanyahu, Bennett and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

39 percent voted for Bennett, 28 percent chose Netanyahu and the rest opted for Lieberman. Continue Reading »

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| February 9, 2014
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The New General Draft Law threatens Israeli govt’s cohesion

 

Finance Minister Lapid threatens to leave Netanyahu’s coalition if criminal sanctions are  excluded in law against army-evaders.

By i24News

 

Threats of leaving the ruling coalition were made so far in the Israeli parliament in connection with the peace process, but on Saturday the threat came from another direction – a more social one
Israeli soldiers from an Ultra Orthodox battalion pray on the top of the ancient fortress of Masada in the Judean desert on March 23, 2007 ( AFP )

Israeli soldiers from an Ultra Orthodox battalion pray on the top of the ancient fortress of Masada in the Judean desert on March 23, 2007 – Photo: AFP

Yesh Atid party’s leader and Finance Minister Yair Lapid warned that he will leave the government if criminal sanctions on draft-evaders will not be stipulated in a new law.Lapid
Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| December 31, 2013
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New bill: Judges given discretion to deny terrorists’ pardons

 

In light of 3rd round of Palestinian terrorists release from incarceration, MKs Shaked & Tzur present bill to give courts option of denying clemency to murderers at sentencing.

Bill aimed to ‘fix injustice’, address criminal charges as well.

By Moran Azulay

 

 

At the conclusion of the third prisoner release Tuesday morning, members of Knesset were already trying to form legislation to thwart any further releases.

A bill proposal, formed by Knesset Member Ayelet Shaked of Habayit Hayehudi and MK David Tzur of Hatnua, will give judges the option of removing the possibility of any future pardon of the culprit, already at the time of the sentencing. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| December 27, 2013
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Likud submitting bill in Knesset to annex Jordan Valley

 

If legislature becomes law, Netanyahu would be unable to accept White House offer to place Jordan Valley, border crossing under Abbas’ Palestinian Authority control.

By LAHAV HARKOV
 

 

Likud ministers and lawmakers are trying to limit Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s freedom in peace talks, with MK Miri Regev submitting a bill on Thursday to annex the Jordan Valley.

Miri Regev at the Knesset Interior and Environmental Affairs Committees, April 17, 2013. - Photo: Courtesy Knesset

Miri Regev at the Knesset Interior and Environmental Affairs Committees, April 17, 2013. – Photo Courtesy: The Knesset

If Regev’s bill becomes law, Netanyahu would be unable to accept the American offer to put the Jordan Valley and border crossings into Jordan under Palestinian control, with IDF soldiers posted at the border and the US providing additional security. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| September 24, 2013
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Emergency cabinet meeting after 2nd Israeli soldier killed

With the Palestinian leadership continuing its policy of incitement & resistance, Israeli ministers call for freezing of faltering peace process after Palestinians kill 2 IDF soldiers, with no condemnation from the PA.

By  Tommy Mueller

 

 

Israel’s security cabinet held a crisis meeting on Monday. The reason: the killing of two Israeli soldiers by Palestinians since Friday.

Earlier the weekend, Tomer Hazan (20) was killed in an Arab village. He was buried on Sunday (photo). Hours later, a Palestinian sniper in Hebron shot and killed another soldier, Kobi Gal, also 20-years-old.

Gal was shot as Israeli soldiers battled a violent Palestinian mob that was hurling stones and firebombs at Jewish worshippers visiting the Tomb of the Patriarchs, burial place of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| September 24, 2013
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1st Half-Dozen, Now Dozens of MKs Demand End of Prisoners’ Release

Deputy ministers & MKs from across the political spectrum join calls for gov’t to terminate the practice of releasing imprisoned convicted terrorists. 

By Ari Soffer

 

Following the slaying of two IDF soldiers in three days, dozens of Knesset members, including deputy government ministers, have signed a letter calling on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to cancel all planned releases of terrorist prisoners as part of a series of “goodwill gestures” to the PA.

26 out of a list of 104 convicted terrorists – many of whom are responsible for the murders of Israeli civilians and soldiers – have already been released in an Israeli concession to the PA. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| July 26, 2013
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Prime Minister to refer referendum bill for cabinet vote Sunday

Proposed bill would not require public approval for withdrawal from Judea and Samaria because Israeli law isn’t applicable there, but PM says he has way around that.

By

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to bring in the referendum bill for a cabinet vote on Sunday, and then submit it to the Knesset for a preliminary vote on Wednesday before the parliament disbands for summer recess.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, July 22, 2013.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, July 22, 2013. – Photo: AFP

The bill stipulates that if an agreement that is reached with the Palestinians calls for Israeli withdrawal from erritory, the public would have to approve it in a referendum for it to take effect. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , , ,
| July 23, 2013
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Ultra-Orthadox MK chains himself to podium prior to Knesset voting on draft bill

Knesset approves draft bill on 1st reading following heated debate.

Haredi

 MKs tear shirt lapels to indicate mourning

By Moran Azulay

 

The Knesset plenum approved Yesh Atid‘s draft bill on first reading early Tuesday morning, prompting dramatic acts of protest by haredi legislators. Ultra-Orthodox Knesset members declared Monday a day of mourning and tore the lapels of their shirts to signify their mourning.

cuffed

MK Meir Porush (United Torah Judaism) chained himself to the podium before the bill was brought to a vote. – Screenshot Knesset channel

The bill, which passed a 66-21 vote, will now be turned over to a special committee presided by MK Ayelet Shaked (Habayit Hayehudi) that will prepare the bill for second and third readings. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| July 15, 2013
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With Plenty of Natural Gas – Exporting it is Another Story

Israel’s choice may be between selling gas quickly that may anger the Russians, or looking at a more long-term prospect without alienating the U.S.

By Saurav Jha

Last month, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to export up to 40 percent of the gas from Israel’s Eastern Mediterranean fields, with expected earnings of up to $60 billion over a 20-year period. This is, however, only the first step toward realizing export revenues from Israel’s gas reserves, a process fraught with complicated choices over the route and destination of those exports. Rather than aiming to use its gas for any great geopolitical gains, Israel currently seems happy to avoid unsettling interested parties while it reaps long-term economic gains from its gas bounty. Continue Reading »

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