Driving to work this morning, I heard MK [Likud] Dr. Yuval Steinetz on IDF (Galei Tzahal) radio, saying how Netanyahu wants as wide a coalition as possible, including Labor and Kadima.
I laughed out loud hearing this, as its so obviously a "spin" and has nothing to do with reality.
Both Labor and Likud despise the Kadima party. Their shared antagonism is based on individual issues, but its useful for these 2 parties to work towards a common goal -- the destruction of Kadima.
Kadima was born out of Arik Sharon's refusal to accept the democratic decision of the Likud membership's rejection of the "Disengagement." Sharon brought the Disengagement to a vote of the entire membership, not only the "Central Committee", and promised to adhere to their decision. Sharon blatantly ignored the vote's outcome, "Disengaged" from Gaza, formed the Kadima party, and bolted from the Likud, taking many Likud leaders with him, including Olmert, Livni, HaNegbi, Mofaz, Hischenson, and others. Absent of ideology and created as a "centrist" party, many disenfranchised Likud voters moved towards the Kadima party.
From the Left, Kadima also drew from the Labor party, including Peres, Itzik, Ramon, and Labor party voters have also moved in the direction of Kadima, shrinking the Labor party.
So while Steinetz may issues spins that the Likud wants a government with Livni, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Prior to the election, Dr. Benny Begin gave an interview on the radio (also IDF radio) urging people to vote Likud. He said if you feel you must vote for a party to the left of the Likud, he suggested "voting for a party with a well founded ideology". MK Shellly Yechimovitch [Labor] spoke right after Begin on the same program, where I have never heard nicer things from her about the Likud. She echoed Begin's comments, "if you vote for a party to the right of Labor, please don't vote Kadima, but for a serious party, like the Likud."
Today, MK Tzippy Hotebelli said "Kadima is the ultimate expression of opportunism. One should never forget their responsibility for the Disengagement, the second war in Lebanon, and the [political and strategic] failures of the Cast Lead operation which did not end as it should have."
Note: Yet another rocket was launched from Gaza at Israel around 11:40 AM this morning towards the Sdot Negev region. No damage or injuries were reported.
While I'm not thrilled about Labor joining the government, I'd be much more disgusted if Kadima had joined.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Showing posts with label coalition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coalition. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Open News Thread - March 24, 2009
Lots of news happening in Israel today. We will be dedicating this post to all the news that you need to know from Israel today.
Latest updates on top.
11:30 PM Overheard in the Likud corridors: In order to be a government minister, one needs to move over to Labor.
Many Likud MKs afraid to speak out loud in order to not lose their dwindling chance at a ministerial position.
7:53 PM Labor votes to join Bibi-led coalition. Barak promises to be opposing force within the government.
5:25 PM Impressive gallery of photos from Um Al Fahm today.
4:17 PM Qassam rocket launched from Gaza -- lands just south of Ashkelon. No injuries, no damage.
11:41 AM Photos from the march today. Interesting sign reads "Racism = Violence" yet the only violence came from the Arab and Leftists who pelted the police with rocks, not from the demonstrators who only marched, carrying Israeli flags through sovereign Israeli territory for 10 minutes.
10:48 AM Jewish marcher end march peacefully as expected. Arabs throw rocks at marchers. Police use tear gas and stun grenades to prevent escalation of Arab violence.
10:45 AM Intermittent blackouts throughout Gush Etzion.
10:12 AM Policeman stabbed by Palestinian in Tel Aviv yesterday while being apprehended in the middle of stealing a car. Second Palestinian escaped.
9:56 AM Rocks thrown at Israeli police at Uhm El-Fahm junction. Police arresting protesters. Situation looks like it is growing out of control.
9: 49 AM Likud and Ehud Barak's representatives in Labor sign Letter of Understanding for a coalition agreement.
Main points include (1) the Likud agreement to uphold international political treaties signed by the State of Israel (this intentionally vague wording leaves wiggle room as the PA is not an international recognized state), (2) illegal outposts will be dismantled according to law (this intentionally vague wording leaves wiggle room as the outposts can then be legalized).
This agreement will be brought to the Labor party committee for approval or rejection. Intense internal battle raging within the Labor party.
Other possible outcomes include Labor party split or Barak leaving Labor and being Defense Minister independent of any party.
9:47 AM At police request, the 100 Jewish marchers have been transferred from regular buses to armored, bullet proof buses due to escalated tensions and fears that Uhm El-Fahm residents will resort to extreme violence as they announced they would.
9:43 AM IDF Radio (Galei Tzahal) reports: Due to upcoming scheduled march of 100 demonstrators with Israeli flags led by National Union (Ichud Leumi) MK Dr. Michael Ben-Ari in the town of Uhn El-Fahm (Wadi Ara area), Israel's police has over 3000 border policemen and Yassam troops in anti-riot gear to provide Marcher's safety.
At the Uhm El-Fahm junction (Road 65) hundreds of Arab and Leftist demonstrators are waving Palestinian flags and chanting anti-Israel rhetoric.
Hundreds of Arab school children are wear kafiyah masks covering their faces and brandishing rocks in preparation for the marchers arrival.
9:40 AM At 10:00 AM today Jerusalem and surrounding areas will be testing the emergency sirens. Do Not Panic. The sirens will sound for one minute. In the event of a real emergency, the sirens will sound for more than a minute.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Latest updates on top.
11:30 PM Overheard in the Likud corridors: In order to be a government minister, one needs to move over to Labor.
Many Likud MKs afraid to speak out loud in order to not lose their dwindling chance at a ministerial position.
7:53 PM Labor votes to join Bibi-led coalition. Barak promises to be opposing force within the government.
5:25 PM Impressive gallery of photos from Um Al Fahm today.
4:17 PM Qassam rocket launched from Gaza -- lands just south of Ashkelon. No injuries, no damage.
11:41 AM Photos from the march today. Interesting sign reads "Racism = Violence" yet the only violence came from the Arab and Leftists who pelted the police with rocks, not from the demonstrators who only marched, carrying Israeli flags through sovereign Israeli territory for 10 minutes.
10:48 AM Jewish marcher end march peacefully as expected. Arabs throw rocks at marchers. Police use tear gas and stun grenades to prevent escalation of Arab violence.
10:45 AM Intermittent blackouts throughout Gush Etzion.
10:12 AM Policeman stabbed by Palestinian in Tel Aviv yesterday while being apprehended in the middle of stealing a car. Second Palestinian escaped.
9:56 AM Rocks thrown at Israeli police at Uhm El-Fahm junction. Police arresting protesters. Situation looks like it is growing out of control.
9: 49 AM Likud and Ehud Barak's representatives in Labor sign Letter of Understanding for a coalition agreement.
Main points include (1) the Likud agreement to uphold international political treaties signed by the State of Israel (this intentionally vague wording leaves wiggle room as the PA is not an international recognized state), (2) illegal outposts will be dismantled according to law (this intentionally vague wording leaves wiggle room as the outposts can then be legalized).
This agreement will be brought to the Labor party committee for approval or rejection. Intense internal battle raging within the Labor party.
Other possible outcomes include Labor party split or Barak leaving Labor and being Defense Minister independent of any party.
9:47 AM At police request, the 100 Jewish marchers have been transferred from regular buses to armored, bullet proof buses due to escalated tensions and fears that Uhm El-Fahm residents will resort to extreme violence as they announced they would.
9:43 AM IDF Radio (Galei Tzahal) reports: Due to upcoming scheduled march of 100 demonstrators with Israeli flags led by National Union (Ichud Leumi) MK Dr. Michael Ben-Ari in the town of Uhn El-Fahm (Wadi Ara area), Israel's police has over 3000 border policemen and Yassam troops in anti-riot gear to provide Marcher's safety.
At the Uhm El-Fahm junction (Road 65) hundreds of Arab and Leftist demonstrators are waving Palestinian flags and chanting anti-Israel rhetoric.
Hundreds of Arab school children are wear kafiyah masks covering their faces and brandishing rocks in preparation for the marchers arrival.
9:40 AM At 10:00 AM today Jerusalem and surrounding areas will be testing the emergency sirens. Do Not Panic. The sirens will sound for one minute. In the event of a real emergency, the sirens will sound for more than a minute.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Upcoming Government?
5:40 PM Lords of Misery -- A new documentary on UNRWA's doctrine of encouraging hate.
3:56 PM Rocket Fired at Western Negev. No injuries or damage.
And now...back to the upcoming government?
Rumors of secret negotiations abound -- between Likud and Kadima.
The current forecast is looking like:
Likud (27)
Kadima (28)
Shas (11)
Aguda (5)
Bayit Yehudi/Mafdal (3)
-------------------------
Total: 74 Seats
Netanyahu would be Prime Minister, and 9 government portfolios would go to Kadima, including the Foreign and Defense Ministries.
Isn't it interesting how 2 weeks ago Kadima and the Likud were blasting away at each other: Livni isn't capable of being Prime Minister, Netanyahu is a chronic liar, Livni would never sell out to the Chareidim, Netanyahu as Prime Minister would mean instant Armgeddon?
And now... it's possible that we'll soon see a Likud/Kadima government with all of Israel's religious parties?
Anything and everything is possible in Israeli politics.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
3:56 PM Rocket Fired at Western Negev. No injuries or damage.
And now...back to the upcoming government?
Rumors of secret negotiations abound -- between Likud and Kadima.
The current forecast is looking like:
Likud (27)
Kadima (28)
Shas (11)
Aguda (5)
Bayit Yehudi/Mafdal (3)
-------------------------
Total: 74 Seats
Netanyahu would be Prime Minister, and 9 government portfolios would go to Kadima, including the Foreign and Defense Ministries.
Isn't it interesting how 2 weeks ago Kadima and the Likud were blasting away at each other: Livni isn't capable of being Prime Minister, Netanyahu is a chronic liar, Livni would never sell out to the Chareidim, Netanyahu as Prime Minister would mean instant Armgeddon?
And now... it's possible that we'll soon see a Likud/Kadima government with all of Israel's religious parties?
Anything and everything is possible in Israeli politics.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
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