Free Republic

Disillusionment by Ari Bussel “Abu Mazen has no right to represent the Palestinian People. We will not honor anything he agrees to in Washington DC.” Hamas Spokesperson, Southern Palestine. One of the most memorable slogans of the 2009 parliament elections in Israel was Avigdor Liberman’s “I Speak Arabic.” Liberman holds such sufficient pressure on the Prime Minister, due to the number of mandates he controls, that one must hope he is currently practicing his “Arabic.” However, Israelis do not like Liberman, his methods or rhetoric. Even members of his party serve at his will. Who then does respect the Israeli...

Dec. 13, 2004 20:32 | Updated Dec. 13, 2004 20:35 Likud, Shas divided on disengagement By GIL HOFFMAN Coalition talks between Likud and Shas broke down on Monday over Shas's continued opposition to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan. The Likud team asked Shas chairman Eli Yishai to endorse the plan, but Yishai said Shas mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's ruling against disengagement will not change, despite the death of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. He asked for Shas to be given freedom to vote its conscience when the issue of disengagement is raised. Shas rejected Likud efforts to reach a...