Olmert: Netanyahu is Israel's best spokesman

The Jerusalem Post ^ | July 30th, 2006 | GIL HOFFMAN

[M. Espinola]

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert briefed opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu on recent developments in the operations in Lebanon in an 80-minute meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Jerusalem on Friday.

A spokesman for Netanyahu said that no political matters were discussed at the meeting but that Olmert thanked Netanyahu for his recent appearances defending Israel on American and European television networks. He said Olmert told Netanyahu that he was Israel's "best spokesman in the foreign press" - a compliment that could potentially cause a dispute between Olmert and his vice premier, Shimon Peres.

Netanyahu condemned a Foreign Ministry official who told Reuters that Israel would not demand the immediate disarming of Hizbullah as part of a deal to end the fighting in Lebanon. He said that Israel must complete the operations by disarming Hizbullah and removing the security threat to northern Israel.

The opposition leader said he would continue to support the government in all matters pertaining to the operations in Lebanon. Polls published over the weekend in the Hebrew press found that public support for the operations in the North has not fallen despite the recent increase in casualties.

A Dahaf Institute poll published in Friday's Yediot Aharonot newspaper found that a whopping 92 percent of Jewish Israelis believe that Israel's operations in Lebanon are justified. The number fell to 82% when Israeli Arabs were added to the totals.

Asked whether the IDF should attack Hizbullah more forcefully, 82% of Jewish Israelis said yes and just 15% said no. With Israeli Arabs included, the numbers were 71% and 26%. Olmert's approval rating among Jewish Israelis is 82% and Defense Minister Amir Peretz's is 71%.

A Teleseker poll published in Ma'ariv on Thursday found that 95% of Israelis believe that Israel is correct in its operations, but there was a 4% increase in respondents who said that Israel should seek a cease-fire and pursue negotiations on a prisoner exchange.

[M. Espinola]

BiBi's the man!

[Crazieman]

Netanyahu rules :)

[Proud_USA_Republican]

BiBi ripped the BBC a new one this week. My man!

[SpaceBar]

Binyamin Netanyahu is one of the few people I actually turn up the sound and listen to when he's on Fox News. He makes me think, "gee whiz, how come we can't have such astute and articulate politicians?". I mean he really gets "the big picture". Israel would do itself well by listening to this great man.

[goldstategop]

The polls are interesting. 92% of Israelis support their government's campaign in Lebanon. Even when Israeli Arabs are added to the mix, its still in the 80% range. Olmert has little room to manuever and cannot back down on Israel's publicly declared objectives. Even if he wanted to, Israelis would not let him and Hezbollah and Iran is not interested in a deal.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[La Enchiladita]

Now you're talkin'.

Finally, someone posts a good article around here.

[garbageseeker]

He should be Prime Minister again.

[medscribe]

And how many rockets fired from Lebanon and Gaza have landed in Israel over the years? What's the body count of innocent ISRAELI CIVILIANS from that? Why has the Lebanese government not taken steps to disarm the Islamofascists? It's funny how the Useless Nitwits are all concerned about so-called innocent Lebanese civilians but never seem as concerned for innocent Israeli civilians.

The Islamofascists long ago declared all out war on Israel, and now that they are finally getting it, they are crying wolf to the Useless Nitwits and the world community. What's the saying? Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it?

[Crazieman]

I think #8 was replied to me, but I missed it. (Had a mystery "new posts" and nothing showed up)

[BobL]

"BiBi's the man!"

Actually it's Olmert. Bibi's just being his usual self. Olmert is the equivalent of FDR in that country, in the sense that he is fighting for its survival and to heck with the media and others (as witnessed by the attack last night).

But Olmert is better than FDR. He's not interested in being a dictator (i.e., great society), at least not now. He's determined to kick some butt. He was elected as dove - saw a threat - and has been kicking butt. Remember, 2 Israeli's were kidnapped - that's all, and look where he is now. There wasn't a 2-front attack like 1973, just a couple of hostages - they were meant to be bargaining chips by the Hezbos - so as to get their terrorists back from Israel. The last thing the Hezbos wanted was a war, they were not quite ready yet.

Compare it to Jimmy Carter with Iran, or even Reagan with Lebanon. Israel has shown guts. Olmert has class, thanking Bibi - something a Dem could never do. And Bibi has been his usual kick-butt self, putting his country first (something Dems have NEVER been able to do in the US), and worrying about politics later.

[Dark Skies]

Here's the split that became evident yesterday with Jennifer Griffin reporting...

Netanyahu condemned a Foreign Ministry official who told Reuters that Israel would not demand the immediate disarming of Hizbullah as part of a deal to end the fighting in Lebanon. He said that Israel must complete the operations by disarming Hizbullah and removing the security threat to northern Israel.

[1903A3]

He's not only that
He is also the brother of" Jony " Netanyahu the airborne officer who leaded the Entebbe hostage rescue operation in 78
(And was KIA that day )
He is also a former officer of SAYARET MAKTAL aka "the staff boys" which is Israel equivalent of SAS/DELTA
So when he speaks about military matters he know what he is talking about

[ReignOfError]

Netanyahu -- educated in the US -- speaks better and more glib English than most American politicians. He's more passion ate and articulate in defense of his political rival than most politicians are in defending their best friends. The guy has, as those wacky kids like to say these days, it goin' on.

Bibi is described, accurately, as a former prime minister. I don't think it will take too long to drop the adjective "former." When that happens, Katy, bar the door.

[WestCoastGal]

He IS the man!! I have always respected him so much.

During the first Iraq war when they were sending scuds over to Israel he was on the air almost every night with gas mask at the ready. He was such a calming voice during this terrible time.

I wrote him a letter about how much we here is the US appreciated his bravery and knowledge. He actually sent me a letter back, I was flabbergasted!

[Zman]

I heard him address a Joint Session of Congress once. He spoke with the authority of Churchill (without the accent, of course).

[La Enchiladita]

He actually sent me a letter back,

A true keepsake!

:^)

[Uri’el-2012]

Netanyahu -- educated in the US --

14 posted on 07/30/2006 7:36:56 AM MDT by ReignOfError

Bibi is also the first Israeli Prime Minister who was born in Israel

[fish hawk]

I am so glad to see lots of pro Netanyahu posts here this morning. I've always held him in high respect and feel that he is one of the greatest Israeli leaders ever.

[BobL]

Sure - he's very popular.

It's Olmert's class that really impresses me. Bibi has pounded the liberals in Israel because he saw just where things were leading to. The liberals and much of Israel did not want to deal with it, so it was pretty messy. To see Olmert reach out and appreciate Bibi is something the Dems could NEVER do, rather they they just attack. If Olmert was like the Dems he would be blaming Bibi for their situation.

Maybe we can get Olmert to come here and teach the Dems how to behave.

[don-o]

Wish I had said that!

Big ceegar R.

[metesky]

bttt

[fish hawk]

If Dems were capable of learning, they would be Republicans. LOL

[BobL]

Oh they are - they are very smart. One of our biggest mistakes is underestimating them. It's that they are filled with the same hate that puts dictators in power and then supports them - it's just manifested itself in liberalism.

[M. Espinola]

If the second news report is true after reading the first news story concerning the 140+ Iranian rockets slamming into Israel, Mr. Olmert is not the best leadership while Israel is fighting for her survival.

No truce with the murderers of the Jewish people.

140 rockets hammer North on Sunday

US: IAF to suspend activity over Lebanon for 48 hours

[dfwgator]

Go Bibi Go! Your country needs you!

[M. Espinola]

"Bibi is also the first Israeli Prime Minister who was born in Israel.

Good point.

[dfwgator]

Bibi is Israel's Churchill, most of the time he is considered a "voice in the wilderness," but in the darkest hour, he is the one they need the most.

[BobL]

Man, that bites - the 48 hour break for Hezbos to reload. I didn't say Olmert was a great military leader, just that he showed the kind of class that the Dems in the US are totally incapable of showing.

[M. Espinola]

"Binyamin Netanyahu is one of the few people I actually turn up the sound and listen to when he's on Fox News. He makes me think, "gee whiz, how come we can't have such astute and articulate politicians?". I mean he really gets "the big picture". Israel would do itself well by listening to this great man."

I agree.

When Bibi speaks people take notice.

[M. Espinola]

The Israeli voting public will once again turn to Bibi if Olmert makes a major plunder in terms of any compromise with the Iranian enemy.

[M. Espinola]

I now understand what you stated on Olmert relating to the Dems.

This 48 hour proposed insanity will only serve Hizballah(Iran-Syria) as you said.

Here is another news item on the 'temporary ceasefire'.

US official: Israel agreed to temporary ceasefire

[M. Espinola]

That's great Bibi wrote you back. Frame that! :) I have seen him speak in New York.

Check out this recent photo from Islamic Pakistan. This from the same geographic location in which the majority supports the terrorist Taliban.

Thousands of supporters of a Pakistani Islamic coalition Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, or United Action Forum, shout anti Israel slogans during a rally, Sunday, July 30th, 2006, in Karachi, Pakistan to condemn the ongoing Israeli strikes against Lebanon and Palestinian territories. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)

[chilepepper]

a lot of people say Olmert is another Chamberlain, and I tend to disagree somewhat -- he is not as weak as that -- but he just doesn't have the stones required to defend israel from the deadly scenario that seems to be unfolding.

i would suggest that bibi *is* israel's winston churchill. and at the risk of sounding melodramatic, i would say that israel is, at this moment, facing the same threat to its survival, the very same situation england did in 1939-1940.

[princess leah]

I actually held my nose and watched CNN for 30 minutes yesterday waiting for their interview with BiBi and it was worth the wait! He IS articulate and yet doesn't sugarcoat the entire situation. When the idiot reporter asked him about the Lebonese civilian casualties he bluntly stated that the entire issue needs to be laid at the Hezbollahs feet in that THEY're the ones who hide behind the civilians with their weapons of destruction. Way to state the TRUTH - I was shocked that the CNN guy didn't cut in on BiBi but let him actually say what he had to say.

[M. Espinola]

"i would suggest that bibi *is* israel's winston churchill. and at the risk of sounding melodramatic, i would say that israel is, at this moment, facing the same threat to its survival, the very same situation england did in 1939-1940."

You are right.

History is indeed repeating itself, including madmen like Iran's Ahmadinejad issuing what many in the general public consider insane, bombastic statements about exterminating the Jewish people ("wipe Israel off the map" & begin with Hizballah). The same foolish reaction existed in the late 1930's on both sides of the Atlantic regarding Hitler. The rest is history.

No quarter to the jihadist enemy.

[HAL9000]

Ten or fifteen years ago, Netanyahu was the best spokesman for Israel. But I believe he has lost some of his skill in recent years.

Today, I'd say Mark Regev is the best spokesman.

[M. Espinola]

He might be contingent on how Olmert does or does not do.

[garbageseeker]

I agree.

[M. Espinola]

Mark Regev is also a top notch spokesman.

[M. Espinola]

You made some excellent points in terms of the current polls. In relation to this 48 hour cooling off period, let's see how many brazen terrorist violations Iran's thugs will pull, plus Olmert's reaction.

[M. Espinola]

"Go Bibi Go! Your country needs you!"

Ditto, ditto!

[M. Espinola]

Tov, toda for your comments.

Here are a few more interrelated news stories.

IDF: IAF will continue attacking weapons being moved from Syria and provide air cover to ground forces

Hezbollah fires four rockets at Kiryat Shmona; no casualties

Israel regrets loss of life in Qana, places blame on Hizbullah for using village to launch rockets at Israel

Over 140 Katyushas Fired at Communities in the North

IDF hacks Nasrallah's TV channel

IDF infantry soldiers returning from combat in south Lebanon near the northern town of Kiryat Shmona on Monday morning. (Reuters)

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks for the links.

I don't know what tov,toda means but it sounds nice...

:^)

[M. Espinola]

Oppss, sorry about that, it means "Well, thank you."