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Sun, February 06, 2011 Adar I 2, 5771 News Diplomacy & Defense National International TV Features Opinion Jewish World Jerusalem & Babylon TheMarker Oligarchs of Israel Culture Travel Books Food & Wine Arts & Leisure Weekend Magazine Anglo File Week's End Special Report / The Schlaff Saga Print Edition News Opinion Features Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Sports Travel Food & Wine Books Letters Blogs Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction A Special Place in Hell MESS Report Haaretz Store Car Rental initAutoScalingNav({menuId: "nav",sideClasses: true,liHovering: true,spacing: 3,constant: 2,minPaddings: 10}); BREAKING NEWS13:29Meet between Egypt VP and opposition groups begins to try to resolve Egypt crisis (Reuters)13:06Iran bans state TV from teaching foreign recipes (AP) 12:49Barak: Egypt's stability rests in the hands of the Egyptian army (Ch.10) 12:20Explosion in Romanian mine kills five (Reuters) 12:10Muslim Brotherhood: Demands of Egyptians are clear. Mubarak must step down (DPA) 11:51Kevin Spacey helps open new theater arts academy in Dubai (AP) 11:35U.N. Secretary-General: Unrest in Egypt has serious implications for Mideast peace process (AP) 11:19Two men arrested for allegedly selling stolen IDF weapons to criminals (Ch. 10) 11:02Roadside bomb in western Iraq kills prominent Sunni Muslim tribe leader (AP) 10:32Iranian court holding closed-door session against three American hikers accused of spying (AP) 10:04Maj. Gen. Galant appeals disqualification as IDF chief to High Court (Army Radio) 09:52Maj. Gen. Galant appeals disqualification as IDF Chief to High Court (Army Radio) 09:50Tel Aviv court accepts plea bargain in Anat Kamm espionage case (Haaretz) 09:40Water level in Kinneret rises 8 cm due to weekend rain showers (Ch.10) 09:16Police to investigate possibility of arson in Israel IKEA fire (Army Radio) More Breaking News > Home Weekend Week's End Published 09:20 04.02.11 Latest update 09:20 04.02.11 Mideast upheaval could be a second chance for Netanyahu The turmoil in the region may prove to be a blessing in disguise for Netanyahu: Now maybe he'll have an excuse to push through a peace deal with the Palestinians. ByAluf Benn Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had hoped that Hosni Mubarak would remain in power forever, for the sake of preserving "stability." Now the Egyptian ruler is fighting for his political life in Cairo's Tahrir Square, his cohorts in the region are trembling with fear that the revolution will sweep away their regimes as well, and Netanyahu is being forced to navigate Israel through the storm.
The crisis across the border caught Netanyahu in midterm, just as his government lost its way. Instead of leading, he seems to be biding his time in the Prime Minister's Office until the next election. In the absence of progress, he is busy dealing with embarrassing hitches, like the appointment of the next chief of staff.
\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Check Todays News\Google News Feed\4226779925.jpg "netanyahu - Olivier Fitoussi - February 2 2011")
Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking in the Knesset, February 2, 2011.
Photo by: Olivier FitoussiHis last-minute decision to be rid of Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant did not strengthen his image. He was late in intervening in the defense establishment crisis, and now he's trying to pass the buck to his widely hated defense minister, Ehud Barak. Unexpected changes inherently generate anxiety, and the public looks to its leaders for reassurance and direction. The era of revolutions in the Middle East could be Netanyahu's chance to foment change and to apply what he has ostensibly learned from the biographies of Winston Churchill and Theodor Herzl.
Netanyahu's confidants insist that he wants to achieve a settlement with the Palestinians and that he is disappointed at Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' refusal to negotiate with him. They talk about policy plans Netanyahu forged with Barak and about secret missions by attorney Yitzhak Molcho in search of a diplomatic breakthrough.
Netanyahu and his court remained silent in the wake of the Al Jazeera revelations about the details of the Kadima government's negotiations with the Palestinians, and following the publication of excerpts from Ehud Olmert's memoirs, which revealed the map the former premier had presented Abbas. Maybe Netanyahu wants to entrench Olmert's narrative, which portrays Abbas as an evasive rejectionist. But by his silence, the prime minister is intimating that Kadima's offers are not "dangerous and irresponsible concessions" and that if the Palestinians try him, they will find there is something to talk about.
Netanyahu has a dual interest, external and internal, to advance on the Palestinian track. Israel's international isolation is increasing. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who this week visited Israel, urged Netanyahu to advance the political process. Israel's strategic ally Hosni Mubarak is about to leave the stage. U.S. President Barack Obama, who abandoned the region after his failure to mediate between Netanyahu and Abbas, this week reappeared as the prophet of democracy and change, urging Mubarak to resign immediately. If Obama's call is indeed met, the U.S. president will return to the Israeli-Palestinian arena, too, and will hand Netanyahu the bill.
Domestically, Avigdor Lieberman has usurped the leadership of the ideological right from Netanyahu. If he is to return to the political center, Netanyahu needs a political breakthrough that will steal the agenda from Kadima leader Tzipi Livni. Netanyahu is still the dominant figure in the political arena, with Lieberman fearing a potential criminal indictment and Barak having lost his party backing.
Speaking in the Knesset on Wednesday, Netanyahu mentioned his concern that change in Egypt could transform it into "another Gaza." He warned against prolonged instability. But he did not just scare his listeners, he also presented solutions: "fortifying Israel's might" (strengthening the army ) and striving for peace with the Palestinians, based on rock-solid security arrangements. The premier spoke about peace as an essential element for Israel's security and made an almost desperate call to Abbas to talk to him. In softened tones, he attacked the "skeptics" (Lieberman ) who do not believe in a peace agreement. Netanyahu expects more flexibility from Abbas, in light of the threat to his rule.
The prime minister has received a second chance - another opportunity to sit for the leadership matriculation exam, as it were. This is his chance to show that he did not return to power only for the limo and the home on Balfour Street.
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Subject: Comment: Reply again LatestMost ViewedMost RatedOpen all 19.152View >Israel already turned down an extraordinary deal John 05.02.11 04:38 It wont and cant get any better
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 18.52View >Need for unity government Isaac Barr MD 05.02.11 02:50No matter to which analyst you listen the fact is that Israel is facinga dire, life threatening situation. Not only that the inside petty warshave to stop but Kadima must join the government. Livni must stop herhysterical escapades and selfish goal. Kadima must join this governmentat the request of PM Netanyahu. If Mr. Netanyahu is tired, somethingthat is understandble, he should delegate Livni some of his many responsibilities.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 17.153View >Peace Deal Solange 05.02.11 02:14There is no peace deal to be had. There is Israel, Washington &Global Powers telling the Palestinians to be greatful for scraps. NEVER!
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 16.70View >Change? Mark Lincoln 05.02.11 01:02Change? Whom? Hosni Netanyahu or Bibi Mubarak?
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 15.120View >He doesn't deserve a second chance. Daniel 04.02.11 23:58I'm always one for redemption, but Netanyahu has no chance of it. He'sscrewed up so bad on so many issues, beginning with the peace process,his handling of the Carmel Fire, and now the Chief of Staff fiasco, isit even possible to reverse this?
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 14.30View >If you fortify your might, I promise to unleash my sword. Abu Hussein 04.02.11 23:50No one ever defies me. Whoever does, will pay a very heavy price.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 13.181View >Netanyahu's achievement! Hugh 04.02.11 23:35Netanyahu has united Persians, Turks, and Arabs. He has united secularand religious Moslems. He has united Sunni, Shia, and Druze. He hasunited Christians and Moslems. He is uniting North and South Americans,Europeans, Asians, and Africans. In 5,000 years of known history, noone has come close to Netanyahu in uniting all of mankind against onesmall country.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 12.285View >Negotiatie with who? Roukoz 04.02.11 22:53The Palestinians don't want to negotiate with Netanyahu, so he ain't gota second chance. However, he may try the Americans.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 11.3719View >A second chance for Netanyahu? Are you crazy? Mahatma Coat Magloves 04.02.11 22:50Netanyahu, and his circle of advisers, have proven beyond any reasonabledoubt that they are not qualified to run a country. Turkey, Egypt,Lebanon, Europe, America. All have been alienated by right wing Israeliarrogance.Israel is losing rapidly.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 10.914View >Not so fast Rammer 04.02.11 22:40Netanyahu's second chance is on hold right now. I have no doubt that thefinal solution will have to be through negotiations, but that will haveto wait. Right now the Palestinians want their state recognized andadmitted to the UN, and only then will they negotiate.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 9.207View >If Israel would just stop with the secret offers Shannon 04.02.11 22:37Israeli commentators often mention these historical generous"secret" offers to the Palestinians and/or their Arabneighbours. But many doubt the existence of these offers, preciselybecause they're kept secret. Myself, I've come to conclude that theIsraeli negotiators just have an obsession of keeping their offerssecret. Maybe there's good reasons, but I don't know. I think they'recounter-productive. Arguably, Israel has an image problem that justkeeps getting worse, and I think part of it is this lack of publicnegotiating positions. It causes many to assume Israel does not WANT to negotiate...
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt113View >If you are paying attention, it is the Palestinians who are refusing to negotiate Dr. L. Brnd 04.02.11 23:31And the fact that Abbas and Erekat are making "secret" offersto Israel in English, (as exposed by Al-Jazeera-Leaks), which are 180degrees opposite of what they tell their own people, in Arabic, stronglysuggests a fake and fraudulant "negotiation" by the PLO, withterms it intends never to honor, one it gets a state.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt90View >NO to secret offers and secret negotiations 005veiK 05.02.11 00:15What you said is absolutely true. Years ago, the UN discussions thatresulted in partition of the land and recognition of an Israeli statewere ALL done in public. This is how it must be again for thedetermination of final borders and recognition of a Palestinian state.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 8.2823View >HUH? Bibi should notmove an inch toward "land-for-Peace" withAbbas untilit is clear the Camp david peace will be 100.0% honored byany new Egypt regime Dr. L. Brnd 04.02.11 22:31If any slight reneging by Egypt on the Camp David peace treaty occurs(the treaty that gave Egypt the "every grain of sand itwanted"), Israel has a right to expect massive UN, EU and USeconomic and military sanctions imposed, along with a free hand forIsrael to recapture and annex the Sinai. Or "Land for Peace"is a joke, the Palestinians should not expect anything, and Israel has afree hand to do what it wants without UN or Quartet interference.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt480View >Dr. Brnd does not even know what the second 1978 Camp David accord-titled "A Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty betweenEgypt and Israel" says. Crazy Horse 05.02.11 02:02If he did know, he would realize Israel has consistently violated the1978 Camp David agreement, along with ongoing violations of Oslo andRoad Map stipulations regarding Settlement construction. Specifically,the Camp David accord stipulates full implementation of UN resolution242 and withdrawal of Israeli troops from the West Bank and Gaza AFTERelection of a self-governing authority to replace Israel's militarygovernment. Instead of that, Israel annexed East Jerusalem, withdrewfrom Gaza BEFORE election of said self-governing authority (for it's owncovert reasons), and IDF troops REMAIN in the West Bank even today.ISRAEL IS THE VIOLATOR OF ALL THESE AGREEMENTS.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 7.119View >Deafening silence Stuart Corrigan England 04.02.11 22:08Over the last week we have heard many worried voices fromIsrael, these being senior figures and the PM, this is morethan justified as israel would like to keep Egypt on side andpreserve the treaty. There appears though to be a deafeningsilence from Avigdor Lieberman, how on earth is he managing tokep himself restrained through all of this? This is very muchout of character for the outspoken foreign minister, it makesone wonder has he been gagged?
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt50View >Deafening silence>>>> Stuart Corrigan England Brendan Kelly ...London/England 05.02.11 00:26Beware the silence Stuart..Biding his time until BB gives him the"get go" Then you'll see the rush of WORDS flying in ourdirection.Lieberman has to keep mum for now.The prevailing circumsranceswith Egypt demands cautiousness.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 6.2828View >Bibi is Belshazzar at his last feast, reading the handwriting on thewall: "The Saudi Plan Is Israel's Last Chance, and FinalOffer". Game over, as they say in Cairo. Ivar 04.02.11 21:56 Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 5.4428View >Blind Men Cannot Move Forward Yaakov Sullivan 04.02.11 21:45their own arrogance has overtaken them, their sense of entitlement doesnot allow for compromise. Israel is dominated by relgious/nationalistextremism and that will not change because, unlike Egypt, there is nonational will to change the status quo which does not bode well forIsrael.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 4.2326View >Why in the world would Netanyahu want a peace agreement with thePalestinians? What would he gain? Natallie Durson 04.02.11 21:43No Israeli leader will voluntarily make peace with the Palestinians.Not only is this political suicide, but it may also be a more literalform of suicide as well. Ask Rabin for details. Israel gains nothingfrom peace. Let me say that again. Israel gains NOTHING frmo peace.Some people say that peace will diminish the attacks from militants.Nope. It won't. If Hamas are not included in the peace agreement, thenit will likely INCREASE the number of attacks from militants. Israelwill respond to these attacks and kill some civilians and then where isyour peace? Poof! It is gone. Let's say that Hamas is included andthe attacks to stop. What does Israel give in exchange? A massivesettlement withdrawal, a halt to future settlement expansion, loss ofcontrol of Palestinian movement, serious domestic turmoil withinIsrael, serious turmoil within the IDF, and I am just getting started.Who, in his right mind, would volunteer for such a thing? Don't get mewrong. I believe that the rocky road to peace must be traveled, but Iam not naive enough to think that an Israeli PM would lead the way. IfIsrael is ever forced to make peace, it will be with kicking andscreaming at every step. Journalists such as Aluf Benn must surelyunderstand this. It is so obvious. Are journalists part of a looseconspiracy with Israeli politicians to pretend that Israel really wantspeace? I know that this pretense is necessary for the politicians, butI would think that journalists would be more honest.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt120View >Helen Natalie, your right 05.02.11 01:02Israel will not work towards peace with the Palestinians, given thatpeace can only be attained if is there is justice. unless and until itis clear that Israel actually loses if it maintains the status quo. Whatpossible motivation can any Israeli govt (lets face it, Netanyahu andthe present govt aren't taking Israel in a new direction) have to dealfairly with legitimate Palestinian demands. Agree with Natalie that itis plain silly to believe that any Israeli govt is capable of providingthe leadership needed to reach a just settlement with the Palestnians.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt101View >Memo to Durson t 05.02.11 01:44Peace will diminish the attacks from militants because one thePalestinians accept a peace deal they will police the militants - themilitants will lose their power.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 3.1014View >By giving up East Jerusalem to the Islamists, there is no second chancein my book! Fortuna Benmayor 04.02.11 21:33Netanyahu will sit and do nothing, watching the Islamists take overEgypt and open a new front against the Jewish state. From now, I willbe voting Beiteinu, the only decent party with Shas.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt011View >Fortuna > Good luck I am with you all the way. By giving up EastJerusalem to the Islamists,there is no second chance.Quite right too. Daniel Kelly London England 05.02.11 00:32Were I Israely or an Israeli Jew, or even an Israeli/Arab I too wouldvote for Lieberman's party. People like to denigrate him,with thoughtsof ultra religiousness.But the man does NOT aspire to extrareligiousness but pure patriotism.Only fools would think being a patriotis a sin.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 2.1714View >By giving up East Jerusalem to the Islamists, there is no second chancein my book! Fortuna Benmayor 04.02.11 21:33Netanyahu will sit and do nothing, watching the Islamists take overEgypt and open a new front against the Jewish state. From now, I willbe voting Beiteinu, the only decent party with Shas.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt 1.3833View >A second chance. Definitely to quell the Islamist threat pendingagainst the Jewish people. Cipora Julianna Kohn 04.02.11 21:32With the Egyptian army occupied keeping the peace in Cairo, this is thebest occasion for the most moral army in the world to mobilize andprotect the Sinai. This would guarantee that the Islamists could notreopen the Rafa crossing (which would allow Nuclear material fromgetting in the hands of Hamas Taliban) and would allow Israel to have adefensible border with the Suez canal.
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt2322View >Cipora, when you say most moral army, whom are you talking about? Dino 04.02.11 22:34 Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt3427View >I am sure that Mubarak appreciates the support of right wing Israelis,as if he didn't have enough troubles Natallie Durson 04.02.11 22:39Poor Mubarak! Almost all the Egyptians hate him and the right wingIsraelis love him. Could there ever be a more certain indication that aleader has not served his people well?
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt011View >One doesn't have to be a right wing Israelis,nor left for thatmatter.But Mubarak was a steadying force surely you must agree Natallie Durson/ Daniel Kelly London England 05.02.11 00:38Mubarak may be a dictator,but can you point out to me any Arabcountry who's ledears are not dictators?Anyone will do. Can you?
Reply to this talkbackRate:topbt151View >Cipora, why the weasel-words? Johnboy 05.02.11 01:32"this is the best occasion for the most moral army in the world tomobilize and protect the Sinai." You are, of course, advocating anIsraeli war of aggression against another country, so that Israel cansnatch the Sinai and so gain the lebensraum that you so dearly want. Byall means do so, and we'll all see how well that pans out......
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