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JERUSALEM: A pair of polls published Thursday showed opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline Likud party leading Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's moderate Kadima party in the run-up to Israel's Feb. 10 elections. The polls also indicated strong support for Netanyahu's hard-line allies. If that support stands through the elections, it would position Netanyahu to put together a hawkish coalition that would likely end peace talks with the Palestinians, at least in their current form. Netanyahu believes the U.S.-backed talks, which aim to establish an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, have been a failure and thinks negotiations should largely be limited to...

Lessons from the Sudetenland, by Benjamin Netanyahu History teaches us that man learns nothing from history.Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel[Editor's Note: Forty-nine years ago last month, the nation Israel was reestablished in the Land. Thirty years ago this month, as a result of the famed Six Day War, Israel regained Biblical Jerusalem, as well as Gaza, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. Although these areas were part of the original mandated land, and are undeniably essential for Israel's defense, it has become strangely "politically correct" to assume that peace in the Middle East is dependent upon their yielding these lands-the so-called...

A Contribution by Benjamin Netanyahu: Lessons from the Sudetenland History teaches us that man learns nothing from history. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel[Editor's Note: Forty-nine years ago last month, the nation Israel was reestablished in the Land. Thirty years ago this month, as a result of the famed Six Day War, Israel regained Biblical Jerusalem, as well as Gaza, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. Although these areas were part of the original mandated land, and are undeniably essential for Israel's defense, it has become strangely "politically correct" to assume that peace in the Middle East is dependent upon their yielding...

JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's popularity has plunged sharply after Israel's war with Hezbollah and he would likely be crushed by the right-wing opposition if elections were held now, according to a poll published Friday. The next vote is not scheduled until 2010. However, Olmert's government could be forced out earlier amid growing public anger over his performance during the war, which ended inconclusively after 120 Israeli soldiers and 39 civilians were killed. At least 854 people were killed in Lebanon. Olmert has faced increasing pressure in recent days. including calls by army reservists and bereaved parents that he...

Opposition leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu called on the government to authorize a state commission to probe deficiencies in the army's and the government's conduct in the war with Hizbullah . Speaking on Channel 2 TV, Netanyahu said: "I say this unexcitedly, there must be a probe. The government itself said so. We have to prevent a hopeless situation the next time." Asked whether his calls are aimed at smearing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert 's government for political gain, Netanyahu said his Likud party stood behind the government throughout the war but now that the fighting ended, criticism is legitimate. Netanyahu...

New Years Eve I predicted that something would happen to Ariel Sharon that would facilitate Benjamin Netanyahu to become the new prime minister. Though I am very sorry to hear of Sharon's massive stroke, it appears that it will facilitate Netanyahu replacing him in the next election. Sharon's sudden fall from power has brought alarm to the liberals in Israel who still live in the delusion that giving the Palestinians the West Bank and at least half of Jerusalem will bring peace. Leftist Israeli journalist and senior fellow at the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies Hirsh Goodman described Netanyahu as...

Resigned Israeli finance minister Benjamin Netanyahu would upset Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a race for the Likud Party leadership if the party primary were held today, according to a new poll of Likud members, says a report in Haaretz. Polls over the past year have consistently shown Sharon beating Netanyahu, but this latest tally found that in a three-way race between Sharon, Netanyahu and MK Uzi Landau, the veteran leader of the Likud anti-disengagement camp, Netanyahu would win 35 percent of the vote - compared to 29 percent for Sharon and 17 percent for Landau. Forty percent of Likud...

We're living in historic times that will change the dynamics of freedom and peace for generations to come. The dramatic events rippling across the globe are precipitated by men and women of incredible vision and a commitment to humanity. President George W. Bush is a man of such vision, and Sen. George Allen is proving to be another leader for peace. "‘The future is now,'" Allen quoted his late father, Hall of Fame Football Coach George Allen. "If you do the job well, the job at hand, then the future will take care of itself." Like President Bush, Sen. Allen...

Benjamin Netanyahu, Shimon Peres, and Francis Fukuyama come together to discuss the end of history in Israel. Tel Aviv FAMOUSLY, Zionism founding father Theodor Herzl proclaimed that the aim of the Jewish state should be to permit Jews to live as a nation like other all other nations. A century later, contradicting his hopes in ways that might have made Herzl proud, Israel continues to distinguish itself. Witness the remarkable gathering of 1,200 Israelis at Tel Aviv University last Monday evening, along with foreign diplomats, from, among other countries, Switzerland, South Africa, Guyana, and Egypt. Under the auspices of the...

Defense chiefs agree NIS 2.25b cut in 2003 budget The cut amounts to 40% of the amount originally planned. A top-level meeting will discuss the cut tomorrow. Zeev Klein and Zvi Lavi 11 Mar 03 16:35The Ministry of Defense has consented to a NIS 2.25 billion budget cut, 40% of the NIS 5.5 billion cut passed by the cabinet and the Knesset two months ago. Following sharp disputes between the parties, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon summoned Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz to another discussion tomorrow in Sharon’s office. The Ministry of Finance is demanding...

“Decisive” meeting on defense cuts to continue Finance Ministry insists on NIS 5.5 billion in defense budget cuts. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is opposed. Zeev Klein 10 Mar 03 16:57Prime Minister Ariel Sharon convened a meeting to discuss the Ministry of Finance’s demand for a deep cut in the defense budget. The meeting, attended by Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz, ended without results. It was agreed that Minister without portfolio Meir Sheetrit would meet Ministry of Defense director general Amos Yaron and other defense establishment officials tonight to try to resolve matters. It was...

No decision on aid yet, Rice tells Netanyahu Israel’s minister of finance told the US national security advisor: Don’t forget we support you over Iraq. Zeev Klein 10 Mar 03 09:54Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by telephone with US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice last night about the loan guarantees Israel is requesting from the US. Rice called Netanyahu and told him that the US administration had taken no decision as yet on the aid package Israel is requesting. Netanyahu told Rice that “Israel’s economic situation is extremely difficult.” He pointed out that Israel was supporting the US over...

You've got your troubles… Israeli aid requests must take account of America’s own fiscal problems. Yoav Karny 6 Mar 03 14:14Israel’s relations with the US continue to be surprisingly strong. As recently as 10 years ago, no one would have automatically assumed these relations would withstand the tests they have in fact met and passed. US public opinion surveys continue to report a deep admiration for Israel, even when Israel’s popularity in the rest of the world in at a low. Israel’s popularity in the US is a strategic asset, the importance of which cannot be exaggerated. Nevertheless, for that...

Netanyahu gives TASE a shot in the arm For several days, I’ve been predicting that options expiration day would restore the 305-310 level, and that was before one man grabbed the spotlight - Benjamin Netanyahu. Yaron Friedman 27 Feb 03 18:12The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) indices rose today. The Tel Aviv 100 rose 3.18% to 323.63 points, the Tel Aviv 25 index rose 4.37% to 319.02 points, and 3.8% for the week, and the Teltech rose 0.99% to 170.60. Turnover was NIS 537 million. After months of depression, there was a surge of optimism today on the battered local...

Netanyahu Considering Taking Ministry Of Finance "If Sharon tries to depose Netanyahu, it will lead to World War III in the party." So said Uzi Cohen, a leading member of the Likud Central Committee, to Arutz-7 today. A few minutes later, it was reported that Ariel Sharon had in fact decided to replace Foreign Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with Silvan Shalom. Netanyahu, after rejecting Sharon's offer to name him Finance Minister in place of Shalom, apparently changed his mind a few hours later and was considering accepting the post. But let's start at the beginning: Once the Likud completed its negotiations...

Feb. 26, 2003 Last-minute maneuvers delay new cabinet By GIL HOFFMAN Likud Party sources said Wednesday afternoon that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has not yet formerly offered the Finance Ministry to former Jerusalem mayor Ehud Olmert, which means it is still open for Binyamin Netanyahu Netanyahu turned down the portfolio earlier in the day, but is said to be reconsidering. A meeting of the Likud faction scheduled for this afternoon was delayed until evening to give Netanyahu a chance to reconsider. Sharon, meeting face-to face with senior Likud officials to announce which portfolios they will receive, offered the Foreign Affairs...

Feb. 13, 2003 Attorney-General slams Belgian court ruling on war crimes (UPDATE) By DAN IZENBERG Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein on Thursday blasted the Belgian Supreme Court decision paving the way for the immediate trial of three senior reserve army officers and of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon after he leaves office for their alleged involvement in a 1982 in two Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. "The criminal indictment in Belgium regarding (refugee camps) Sabra and Shatilla against Sharon, [Raphael] Eitan, [Amir] Drori and [Amos] Yaron is an injustice, not a search for justice," said Rubinstein. "Anyone who examined this case knows...

Sharon mulls offering Netanyahu finance portfolio Benjamin Netanyahu will probably reject the offer, claiming the job cannot be carried out without the prime minister’s support. Stella Korin-Lieber and Yoav Yitzhak 6 Feb 03 16:03Sources inform “Globes” that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is considering appointing Minister of Foreign Affairs Benjamin Netanyahu as Minister of Finance. Netanyahu has reportedly rejected the idea in talks with his aides. Netanyahu said, “It’s illogical for me to accept the post, since I’d clearly be doomed to failure.” He told his aides that the job of minister of finance in general, and in Israel’s current situation...

Last year, a few days after Sept. 11, I was given the privilege of appearing before a committee of the U.S. Congress to discuss the issue of terrorism. But had I been given the opportunity to speak before Sept. 11, I would have offered similar suggestions about how the war on terrorism should be fought and how it can be won. I would have pointed out that the key to defeating terrorism lies in deterring and destroying those regimes that harbor, aid and abet terror. I would have argued that to root out terror, the entire terror network, consisting of...

<p>JERUSALEM (AP) --  Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Saddam Hussein communicated secretly with him in 1998 to ease worries about a possible Iraqi attack on Israel.</p> <p>Netanyahu said it was thought that Saddam might launch a missile attack on Israel, as he had done during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, because of tensions over U.N. weapons inspections. Netanyahu said the Iraqi ruler sent a secret message assuring Israel that he had no such intention.</p>