Posted on 02/10/2009 7:47:54 PM PST by sofaman
Israel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman refused to endorse either Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni or Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, saying rather his party would be open to hearing from all parties involved in the formation of the next coalition, but his party would never give up its core principles. Israel Beiteinu leader...
"We truly hope that one of the dramatic changes that will be in the next government will be a change in the method of governing," Lieberman said following the exit polls which predicted Livni the winner of the election. "We will be open to hearing what others say about this topic."
"We've turned into a significant party, the third largest in Israel," Lieberman said. "It's true that Tzipi Livni won a surprise victory. But what is more important is that the right-wing camp won a clear majority... We want a right-wing government. That's our wish and we don't hide it."
"The main argument which is being waged today is not only over the borders, but rather on the character of the State of Israel as a Jewish, Zionist, and democratic state," he continued. "These three things must be intertwined."
"We have a way and principles, and we don't plan on giving them up," Lieberman said, adding that the most important thing on his agenda was that the new government be decisive against terror.
In what may prove a twist for coalition talks as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas move into an advanced stage, Lieberman firmly stated that his party would never join a government which permitted Hamas to rule the Gaza Strip.
"We will not agree either directly or indirectly to [Hamas staying] in power," the Israel Beiteinu leader said. "It doesn't matter which government is established."
"Our first goal is clear, to destroy Hamas, to take it down," he stated.
"Seven years in a row we wake up every morning, go to sleep every evening, with the news of a new Kassam attack," Lieberman said. "That must end."
"Whoever wants to see us as a partner in the government must change their policies," he concluded.
Israel Beiteinu won a predicted 15 mandates in the election, becoming what appeared to be the third largest party in the Knesset.
Good, I would much rather have Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister. He won’t put up with Obama’s nonsense.
I didn’t realize Senator Lieberman had any direct influence on the Israeli political process
this is one Avigdor Lieberman, who might just be the most powerful politician in Israel at this moment.
LOL I was making a funny!
Well, naturally, he has to negotiate with any prospective partner and decide who gets which positions in the government. He can best do that by refusing to commit himself until an agreement is reached.
But to say that he rules out a left-wing coalition pretty well rules out Labor or Kadima.
Interesting to see what kind of a stand Shas will take on this and whether they will be included in the coalition.
I realized ... ;-))
trying to find updates
Not the US Senator.
"With 99% of the votes tallied, Kadima currently stands to win 28 mandates, Likud 27, Yisrael Beitenu 14, Labor 13, Shas 11, United Arab List – Ta'al 4, United Torah Judaism 4, National Union 4, Hadash 4, Meretz 3, Habayit Hayehudi 3 and Balad 3."
"The only ballots yet to be counted are those of IDF soldiers, mariners and Israeli representatives abroad. Their votes will be tallied over the course of the coming days." (Ynet)
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I caught on! Very good.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
yup, a state of 5 million prime ministers ...
36,000 votes separating Likud and Kadima before military ballots have been counted (Ynet)
"Like other Arab parties, Ra’am-Tal does not intend to recommend any party to head the next government. “We will remain neutral by the President,” Tibi said."
"Yisrael Beiteinu, which received 15 mandates, will be the third largest party in the upcoming Knesset."
Arab MKs starting to realize that gloves are about to come off.
Do you think that Israel might trade their Lieberman for our Lieberman and a player-to-be-named-later?
Are military traditionally right-wing leaning like they are here in the USA?
Yep. At least in this stage of the vote count, with 41 Knesset seats going to Likud + Yisrael Beiteinu, and 41 to Kadima + Labor, Shas with their odd combination of right-wing social, foreign and defense policy views on one hand, and liberal welfarist economic policies on the other, look like they could end up the real kingmakers. And, they’ve always been ready to enter into coalition with Likud, Labor, whoever. Maybe the outstanding military ballots will put Likud over the top, though. I hope!
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