Likud Leader Netanyahu: “The Likud Party Has Selected Best Team To Lead Next Israeli Government” Likud Rival Feiglin: “I Am Real Likud & Will Bring Voters From Far Right Back To Likud” Kadima’s Hanegbi: “Netanyahu’s Dream Team Is A Nightmare For Likud Leader”
Internal Politics
Hebron, Gaza and Israeli Primaries
Wall-To-Wall Israeli Condemnation of Settler Violence against Palestinians in Hebron Hebron Clash & Surge In Gaza Rocketing Propel Defense Minister Barak Into Limelight Settlers Accuse Defense Minister Of Exploiting Hebron Crisis for election purposes
Barak On Striking Iran’s Nuclear Capability
Defense Minister Ehud Barak Indicates Israel Should Attack Iran Only To Prevent ‘Concrete Nuclear Capability’ – Israel Was Keeping All Options Open ‘Hezbollah Has Acquired 42,000 Rockets – Some Of Them Can Hit Dimona & Beersheva In Southern Israel’ ‘If Possible, Israel Ready To Resume Cease- fire With Hamas In Gaza’
Meridor Backs Bibi
Dan Meridor: ‘I Am Returning To Active Politics In the Likud & Supporting Mr. Netanyahu For Prime Minister’ ‘Kadima’s Failures In Second Lebanon War & Attack On Rule Of Law Disqualify It From Continuing In Office’ Yuval Rabin: ‘I Don’t Rule Out My Supporting Netanyahu’
Elections – U.S & Israel
Dr. Martin Indyk: ‘Barack Obama identifies with Israel’s struggle for survival – support for Jewish state is strong in both Democratic and Republican parties’ IsraCast: ‘Netanyahu victory in upcoming Israeli election may not a foregone conclusion’ ‘Although security may be key issue, Netanyahu could be vulnerable if global economic crisis also batters Israel’
Israel’s Coalition Poker
Labor Sources: ‘Ehud Barak Toppled Prime Minister Olmert For Tzipi Livni And Now Barak Wants A Labor Imprint On New Coalition’ President Shimon Peres Starts Consultation With Knesset Parties After Ehud Olmert Officially Tendered His Resignation IsraCast Assessment: Neither Livni Nor Barak Would Gain From Early Election Which Would Likely Be Won By Likud’s Bibi Netanyahu
New Coalition Or Early Election?
Tzipi Livni: ‘I will try to form a new coalition as quickly as possible’ Barak source: ‘Labor should not enter a Livni coalition but opt for an early election’ Shas: ‘No negotiations on Jerusalem and bigger child allowances, otherwise we will not join a Livni coalition’
OLMERT AFTERMATH
Olmert’s Critics: ‘Nothing Has So Distinguished The Prime Minister’s Term Of Office As His Leaving It’ Opposition Leader Bibi Netanyahu: ‘Go To Early Election & Don’t Resuscitate Current Defunct Government’ Isracast: Will Shas Mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Now Determine Who Will Be Israel’s New Prime Minister?
OLMERT’S LAST STAND?
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert: ‘No Chance Of Agreement On Jerusalem With Palestinians This Year – However Differences Are Small On Other Core Issues’ ‘Palestinian Refugee Issue Can Be Solved Outside Of Israel’s Borders’ Knesset Members: ‘What Is Olmert Talking About – He’s On His Way Out Of Office!’
Olmert’s Stay Of Execution
Labor: ‘This Is A Tahdia Cease-Fire Between Olmert & Barak’ Likud: ‘Barak Started Like A Fierce Doberman & Ended Like A Poodle Wagging His Tail To His Master, The Prime Minister!’ IsraCast: ‘Olmert & Barak Agreed On Lowest Common Denominator To Preserve Coalition & Stave Off Early Election’