Posted on 02/14/2009 5:37:43 PM PST by bruinbirdman
President Barack Obama is preparing to wade into the messy aftermath of the Israeli elections by pressing the rival Likud and Kadima parties to form a government of national unity.
The president is understood to regard such an alliance as the only way to provide a credible partner in peace talks with the Palestinians - and has let it be known that he is ready to lean on either party to make a deal happen.
The indication of his thinking comes as Israeli politicians struggle to create a governing coalition after last week's confused election result. Although the ruling centrist Kadima Party won more seats than its more conservative rival, Likud, the combined parties of the Right won more seats in total than those of the centre and the Left.
Shimon Peres, the Israeli president, is edging towards inviting the Likud leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, to form a government, and some Kadima members have sworn they would reject any accord that would put their leader, foreign minister Tzipi Livni, under Mr Netanyahu in a new Israeli cabinet.
In these circumstances, an American intervention could be vital. Sources in Washington who have discussed the situation with members of Mr Obama's team now believe that the new president is prepared to play a role behind the scenes to ensure that an alliance can emerge.
"His team is prepared to take the plunge privately if it is never made public," said a well-placed source in Washington.
The Obama administration insists publicly that it will work with whatever coalition government Israeli politicians come up with. The president's advisers are reluctant to be seen meddling in the messy business of constructing Israeli governments.
But they also believe Mr Obama could wield his political capital to ease the birth of a centrist government
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
That’s pretty cheeky.
Anyone out there read Hebrew?
yitbos
And Pharaohs
Agreed. This is Israel’s internal matter. If Benjamin gives you the finger, then “get over it. He won.”
Odd you should say that, I think Obama looks Egyptian.
However, this report is remarkable in it's illustration of the breathtaking hypocrisy of Obama in particular and the left, in general.
For 7 1/2 years they pilloried Pres. Bush. "How dare he remove Saddam Hussein from power? What right do we have to meddle in the internal politics of a sovereign country? We must respect the wishes of the Palestinian people that elected Hamas."
And first chance he gets? Pressure the Israelis to form a unity government!
There is a word that describes the Left, chutzpah.
Yes, he really does look Egyptian.
One of the problems with left-wing chutzpah: the examples of it come at you so fast and furious, it’s tough to keep up with them all. After a while, only the most egregious of them penetrate the general state of “chutzpah numbness” I’m in.
This one is penetrating.
The Isrealis should tell Obie to go pound sand.
Israel is a sovereign state, not an appendage of the US. Hussein should just go pound salt; since when does he have Israel’s interests in mind?
It is a sovereign country and none of ZERO’s business. What an arrogant, skinny twerp who is either naive, stupid, or believes he really is the Messiah. Haven’t figured out which yet and may be all three.
Hmmmmmmmmm. Iran has an election coming up. Which guy does Hussein want elected?
yitbos
The idea of Jews with nukes...and the willingness to use them...FREAKS OUT Obama and crew.
Israel better strike Iran before Obama replaces most US Generals/Admirals with his own henchmen...and women...and others.
Certainly, in only 1 year it will be too late.
Good question! Whoever is the farthest left would be my guess.
Its not Lieberman. Its Ehud Barak. The caption says “At the moment of truth...Barak.”
Oops! Shimon not Sharon- but you get my point.
Many thousands of non-Jews accepted as immigrants in recent years from places like Russia and Ethiopia demand recognition of inter- and gay- marriage, the easy availability of pork and other of their favorite non-kosher foods, and meaningless conversions to Judaism so they don’t have to feel like “outsiders.”
Yisrael Beiteinu has taken up their cause, and these are the issues which they demand Bibi accept for their inclusion in the ruling coalition.
In addition, Yisrael Beiteinu favors the territorial surrender favored by Netanyahu, Livni and Barak.
Any Jew who believes Obama will act in Israel’s best interest is an idiot. Racist blacks like Obama hate whites, but reserve a special hatred for Jews.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.