Tag Archive for Avigdor Lieberman

To avoid embarrassment Swedish FM cancels trip to Israel

Israel Foreign Minister Lieberman announced he would ignore her after Sweden became Europe’s 1st country to recognize Palestine as a state.

By i24news

 

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem has postponed indefinitely a planned visit to Israel. Although no reason was provided, Israeli media speculated the decision was the result of a snub by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who announced he would not meet with her because her government had recognized the Palestinian Authority as a Palestinian state.

Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Margot Wallstroem – Photo: AFP/JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

Israel recalled its ambassador to Stockholm, Isaac Bachmann, in response to the decision adopted in October by Sweden’s new government, but has since sent him back to his post. Continue Reading »

Mahmoud Abbas to Use Gaza War as Test-Case Against Israel at ICC

Video icon JPEGNetanyahu says “IDF soldiers will continue to defend Israel with determination & strength, and as they defend us, we will defend them, with the same determination & the same strength.”

By i24news

 

The first case the Palestinians will refer to the International Criminal Court will be Israel’s actions during this summer’s Gaza war, a legal expert said Sunday.

Israel's Prime Minister & Foreign Minister - Photo Gali Tibbon AFP

Israel’s Prime Minister & Foreign Minister – Photo: Gali Tibbon / AFP

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas opted to turn to the ICC after losing a motion last week in the UN Security Council to set a 2017 deadline for a Palestinian state to be established in land occupied by Israel in 1967. Continue Reading »

Israel’s State Comptroller Rules Lieberman’s Secret Vienna Meetings ‘kosher’

 

After MK Shelly Yachimovich lodged complaint that Israel’s foreign minister held unreported meetings on previous European trip, the State Comptroller’s inquiry concluded the ‘secret’ meetings would have been approved.

By Aviel Magnezi

 

 

The State Comptroller has concluded that Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s secret trip to Vienna was justified, after former Labor leader Shelly Yachimovich complained the Lieberman conduct secret meetings that were not reported to the media during the September visit.

Lieberman's secret Vienna meetings okayed. (Photo: AFP)

Lieberman’s secret Vienna meetings okayed. – Photo: AFP

In the report sent to Lieberman by the State Comptroller retired judge Yoseph Shapira, who sent Lieberman the report before its publication in order to get his comments, states that after an inquiry by the State Comptroller’s office and after a meeting conducted with Lieberman, Shapira and the senior advisor to the State Comptroller on special matters were “convinced by the words of the minister and accepted them.” Continue Reading »

Israel’s FM Lieberman plans to ignore Swedish counterpart’s visit

After Sweden purposely hid its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, Israel’s Foreign Minister is reportedly frustrated with Sweden’s decision to not even hearing the Israeli side.
• Lieberman also accuses PA leader Abbas of conveying Hamas-like positions only in Arabic interviews.

Continue Reading »

Lieberman dismisses Jordan’s motion on Palestinian draft to UN as another ‘gimmick’

 

 

Israel’s FM Avigdor Lieberman: “It would be better if the Security Council dealt with matters truly important to the citizens of the world, such as the murderous attacks this week in Australia & Pakistan, or discuss events in Syria & Libya, and not waste time on the Palestinian’s gimmicks.”

By Reuters

 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Thursday described as a gimmick a Palestinian-proposed UN Security Council draft resolution that calls for a peace deal within a year and an end to Israeli presence in territories Palestinians want for their future state by the end of 2017.

“Certainly this will not hasten an agreement because without Israel’s consent, nothing will change,” Lieberman said in a statement. Continue Reading »

Israel Security Services foil Palestinian plans to assassinate Israeli FM Lieberman

Cleared for publication: West Bank gang reportedly aligned with Hamas, sought to acquire a RPG launcher to assassinate Foreign Minister.

By i24news

 

 

Combined Israeli security forces – internal security agency Shin Bet, police and army – have arrested a Hamas military squad that planned to assassinate Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Menahem Kahana (AFP/File)

Avigdor Lieberman arrives at the Israeli parliament (Knesset) in Jerusalem on November 11, 2013 – Photo: Menahem Kahana /AFP/File

The squad, the three members of which came from and operated in the Bethlehem vicinity, have been planning to purchase an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) launcher to target Lieberman’s vehicle. Continue Reading »

Sweden’s new center-left gov’t officially recognizes a Palestinian state

Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s Foreign Minister described Sweden’s official recognition as “a miserable decision that strengthens the extremist elements & Palestinian rejectionism.”

AP, Reuters

 

 

STOCKHOLM – Sweden’s center-left government on Thursday officially recognized the state of Palestine, becoming the first major European country to do so.

The new center-left Swedish government (Photo: AP)

The new center-left Swedish government – Photo: AP

The EU member country joined only two other Western European countries — Malta and Cyprus — that have officially recognized a Palestinian state.

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said the Scandinavian country had decided on the move because the criteria of international law required for such recognition had been fulfilled. Continue Reading »

Knesset Session to Push Bill That Outlaws Islamic Movement’s Northern Branch

The Islamic Movement‘s northern branch needs to be outlawed for openly undermining the sovereignty of the State of Israel, while  cynically exploiting the institutions & basic values of a Jewish and democratic country.

By Yuval Karni

 

 

With the opening of the Knesset’s winter session on Monday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has instructed Yisrael Beiteinu MK Alex Miller to push a bill proposal meant to outlaw the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel.

Raed Salah (R) - REUTERS

Sheikh Raed Salah (right), leader of the Islamic Movement’s northern branch, escorted (03/04/2014) to begin his 8 months in prison for inciting to violence in a 2007 speech – REUTERS

The proposal, submitted on Monday, noted that: “Recently, we’ve witnessed the strengthening of radical Islam in our region, spreading a lot of death and destruction while demolishing the rule of law. Continue Reading »

Lieberman demands Israeli Arab soccer team be disciplined for Hezbollah tribute

Foreign Minister Lieberman condemns the Bnei Sakhnin ceremony honoring fugitive ex-Balad MK Azmi Bishara, who’s suspected of aiding the Lebanese terrorist organization.

BY Atila Somfalvi

 

 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman called on Saturday for the suspension of the Israeli-Arab soccer team Bnei Sakhnin from the Israeli Premier League and urged that strong measures be taken against it after its representatives paid tribute to former Knesset Member Azmi Bishara (Balad), who is suspected of spying for Hezbollah.

Balad Secretary General and Bnei Sakhnin hold up recognition plaque for Bishara (Photo: Zohar Shahar)

Balad Secretary General and Bnei Sakhnin hold up recognition plaque for Bishara – Photo: Zohar Shahar

Before the game between Bnei Sakhnin and Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Doha Stadium in the Galilee town of Sakhnin, the Israeli-Arab soccer team held a ceremony in honor of their Qatari sponsors, during which recognition plaques were given to several people – including Azmi Bishara. Continue Reading »

Jerusalem circumvents Arabs bid criticizing Israel’s ‘atomic arsenal’ at UN nuclear assembly

3-month long Israeli world-wide diplomatic campaign thwarts Arab League proposal demanding Israel join global anti-nuclear weapons pact.

 

Member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency rejected a resolution initiated by Arab League nations criticizing Israel’s alleged nuclear abilities.

Dimona nuclear power plant

The nuclear power plant in Dimona – Photo: Archive

The resolution, which is non-binding, condemns Israel, calls on it to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and make its nuclear facilities subject to international supervision. Fifty-eight countries voted against the text and 45 states for. The representatives of many nations chose not to attend the vote.

A senior official in the Foreign Ministry noted that Arab League nations decided this year to make a special effort in order to pass the resolution, which was rejected last year as well.

Continue Reading »

Lieberman: I suggest UN mandate in Gaza, it worked in Kosovo

 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman: “There are 3 options:

•A diplomatic arrangement
•Hamas’ submission
•A state of limbo where we respond when they open fire”

By Gideon Allon & Israel Hayom Staff

 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, speaking at a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on Monday, stressed that Operation Protective Edge is not over and suggested the possibility of a U.N. mandate in Gaza after Hamas is toppled.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman – Photo: Yoav Ari Dudkevitch

“There are three options,” Lieberman said, addressing the possible outcomes of the Gaza conflict. “A [diplomatic] arrangement, Hamas’ submission, or a state of limbo where we respond when they open fire.

Continue Reading »

Lieberman reassess, party now opposes release of imprisoned terrorists

Yisrael Beiteinu head Avigdor Lieberman, says its cabinet members will be directed to reject any future proposal to free convicted & incarcerated Palestinian terrorists.

 

 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Sunday he will use party discipline to prevent cabinet ministers from Yisrael Beiteinu from approving any future deals to release Palestinian security prisoners. Yisrael Beiteinu cabinet members voted in support of the Gilad Shalit deal, as well as last year’s goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the release of prisoners in four stages. Three of the four stages were carried out.

Avigdor Lieberman.

Avigdor Lieberman. – Photo: Olivier Fitoussi

Speaking to Army Radio on Sunday morning, Lieberman said there will be no more terrorist releases, neither as a gesture or for any other reason.

Continue Reading »

Lieberman: Livni meeting with Abbas not sanctioned by Jerusalem

 

Foreign Minister: ‘Even if Abu Mazen & Livni played checkers, that’s their prerogative’

Lieberman hints at new direction in peace talks.

 

By Ynetnews

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman stressed on Saturday that Justice Minister Tzipi Livni’s meetings with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in London last week were unofficial and not sanctioned by the Israeli government.

“I assume that she (Livni) was in London privately and met whoever she wanted to meet,” Lieberman told Channel 2. “I’m sure that this wasn’t a meeting for peace talks. Even if they played checkers, that’s their prerogative.”

Sources in Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister had clarified to Livni that “in this kind of meeting, she only represents herself and not the Israeli government.” Continue Reading »

Abbas denounces Holocaust as ‘most heinous crime in modern era’

Abbas who’s on record disputing the accepted number of deaths in the Holocaust as well as accusing Zionist agitation as the cause of the Holocaust, releases a Holocaust condemnation, the 1st of its kind from a Palestinian president.

Netanyahu: Instead of soothing int’l public opinion, Abbas should be choosing between Hamas & peace with Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas released a special message on Sunday in Arabic and in English on the occasion of Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, in which he decried the murder of Jews in the Holocaust as “the most heinous crime against humanity in modern history.

Continue Reading »

Lieberman: Bennett’s threat to leave coalition is a bluff

 

Foreign Minister Lieberman says threats by Habayit Hayehudi leader to quit the gov’t if incarcerated Israeli Arab murderers are freed, should ‘not be taken seriously.’

On the stalled peace talks, Lieberman says the ‘ball is in Palestinian court.’

 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Tuesday that he does not believe Habayit Hayehudi party will leave the coalition if Israel releases Israeli Arab prisoners as part of a deal to extend peace talks with the Palestinians.

Foreign Minister Lieberman at press conference in Knesset, March 25, 2014.

Foreign Minister Lieberman at press conference in Knesset, March 25, 2014. Photo: Olivier Fitoussi

Speaking at a press conference with his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz, Lieberman was referring to recent threats made by Habayit Hayeudi leader and Economy Minister Naftali Bennett.

Continue Reading »