Tag Archive for Israeli politics

| January 4, 2013
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Ex-Security Chief Diskin: Netanyahu & Barak are too weak

Former Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin paints disconcerting picture of how Israel’s most sensitive decisions are made in his 1st interview since leaving office.

Dror Moreh

 

Yuval Diskin was once privy to top secret government discussions. As former Shin Bet chief, he sat in on meetings dealing with the Iranian threat, the Palestinian issue and Israel’s most grave security concerns.

Yuval Diskin in 'The Gatekeepers' Photo: Avner Shahaf

Yuval Diskin in ‘The Gatekeepers’ – Photo: Avner Shahaf

By the nature of his office, Diskin witnessed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak‘s conduct up close and personal. And by his own admission – he was horrified. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| January 3, 2013
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Netanyahu advisor Ron Dermer brings American commonsense to Israeli politics

It would seem as if the surest way to get an op-ed published in the New York Times these days, no matter how obscure the writer or the viewpoint, is to attack Israel.

By JTA

 

TEL AVIV – Like many Israeli politicians, Ron Dermer is an unapologetic defender of Israel’s actions, even if it might mean being undiplomatic.

But like a seasoned diplomat, Dermer — senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — knows his way through Washington’s backchannels and has cultivated relationships with senior U.S. policymakers.

Most important, say those who know him, he has Netanyahu’s ear.

“Netanyahu likes him, respects him and listens to him,” said Uzi Arad, Netanyahu’s national security adviser until 2011. Continue Reading »

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| December 31, 2012
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What Does Abbas’s Latest Threats to Quit Really Mean?

 

 

Why doesn’t Abbas consider the possibility of handing the “keys” to another Palestinian? Abbas apparently believes that if he cannot lead the Palestinian Authority no one else should — that if he comes down, then the entire Palestinian Authority should also collapse. A changing of the guard is something that the US and the EU, the major funders of Abbas and his associates, could play a major role in bringing about.

By Khaled Abu Toameh

 

Mahmoud Abbas has once again threatened to dismantle the Palestinian Authority which he heads in the West Bank.

This time he chose to make his new old threat in an interview with the daily Haaretz. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| December 31, 2012
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Bennett Reminds Peres: Because of Oslo ‘Peace’ 1,600 Israelis Killed

This morning, Jewish Home chairman Bennett tells President Peres “enough, already” with “peace process” talk. Oslo ‘Peace’ Killed 1,600 Israelis

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

Naftali Bennett, who heads the Bayit Yehudi (merged Jewish Home-National Union) slate of Knesset candidates, reminded President Shimon Peres Monday that the Oslo Accords “brought us more than 1,600 murdered Israelis.”

Responding to the President’s controversial remarks on political issues in the middle of the election campaign, Bennett stated, “Enough, already. The President of the country is supposed to represent all of the country, not just a part of it.”

Peres said on Sunday that PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas wants peace and is the only man with whom Israel can sign an agreement. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 19, 2012
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Elections C’tee bars Zoabi from Knesset for supporting terrorism

The Central Election Committee banned Balad party head, MK Hanin Zoabi from the Knesset elections on  grounds of supporting terror & rejecting Israel as a Jewish state.

The committee is set to discuss disqualifying Strong Israel, haredim from running for Knesset later in the week.

The Central Election Committee banned Balad MK Hanin Zoabi from running for the 19th Knesset on Wednesday, on grounds of supporting terror and rejecting Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.

Zoabi’s disqualification will automatically be brought to an appeal before the High Court of Justice. The only individual disqualification to be upheld by the court was that of Rabbi Meir Kahane in 1988.

Continue Reading »
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| December 14, 2012
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Israel’s Foreign Minister Lieberman Resigns

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman, decides to step down as FM & deputy PM, following decision to charge him with ‘breach of trust’

Lieberman says he wants to focus on clearing his name. Move unlikely to affect his election bid.

Attila Somfalvi

 

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced Friday that he has decided to resign from office following the breach of trust indictment pending against him.

ליברמן אתמול (צילום: AP)

Putting the matter to rest. Lieberman – Photo: AP

Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein announced the decision to indict Lieberman on Thursday, in a case involveing the promotion of former Israeli ambassador to Belarus Ze’ev Ben Aryeh. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 10, 2012
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HAARETZ poll: 81% say Netantahu will be next P.M.

Because center-left bloc is a fragmented mess,  the right wing is solidifying their lead, as 81% of Israelis believe Netanyahu will retain his premiership.

 

Four days after the final candidates’ list for the 19th Knesset were submitted to the Central Elections Committee, here’s the current electoral picture, in two words: Game over.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - October 28, 2012 - Ami Shabi

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. – Photo by Ami Shabi

The center-left bloc is a fragmented mess, while the right-wing bloc has never looked so hale and hearty. The joint Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu ticket is gaining strength while Labor is weakening. The main accomplishment so far of Hatnuah chairwoman Tzipi Livni is enfeebling two of her sister parties on the center left to the point of oblivion. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 4, 2012
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Al-Arabiya presents: Jewish Beauties for Knesset

Saudi-based Al-Arabiya news service dedicates special elections feature to what it headlines ‘surge of beautiful women in Israeli politics’

By Roi Kais

 

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabiya news network devoted a special feature Tuesday to the rise of beautiful women in Israeli politics, following the recent primaries in Labor and the Likud, and the foundation of Tzipi Livni’s Hatnua.

"היפות מובילות בבחירות בישראל". חילו, מיכאלי וחוטובלי

Hotovely (L) Michaeli (M) and Hilo (Screenshot)

The feature, titled “Beauties lead Israeli Politics,” said that “The fair sex is in the midst of a Knesset race,” adding that “The lists of the parties running for Knesset electionsin 2013 are enveloped in perfume.” Continue Reading »

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