Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel
Elections Archive - March 2009
Elections Archive - March 2009
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Haneyya asks Arab leaders to implement previous summit resolutions on Gaza siege Palestinian Information Center 3/30/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya has asked the Arab rulers to implement former summit resolutions concerning the siege on Gaza and to demand the trial of Israeli war criminals. Haneyya in a televised address to the Arab summit on Sunday night asked the Arab countries that still maintain relations with Israel to sever those ties. "Waiting is no longer acceptable and we ask for implementation of what previous summits had approved," he underlined, adding, "The siege has claimed the lives of hundreds of patients and paralyzed life in the Gaza Strip". Shifting to the internal Palestinian dialog, he opined that there was still a chance to solve pending questions away from foreign intervention. "We agree to a unity government that would re-build institutions, prepare for the elections, break the siege and stabilize internal conciliation," Haneyya elaborated. Livni: New government is bad for Israel Ha’aretz 4/1/2009 Opposition leader Tzipi Livni on Tuesday wished success to the incoming coalition as it prepared to be sworn in at the Knesset in Jerusalem, but quickly added that the deal under which the government had been assembled would "not benefit the state at all. " Livni, who lost out on the opportunity to form the new government despite her Kadima party’s slim win in the February elections, told lawmakers on Tuesday that the opposition under her leadership would act responsibly. "I would like to see new government succeed," Livni said, as she took the podium following incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address. Her speech was heaped with criticism of Israel’s 32nd government, though, calling the coalition deal "a shame to the Knesset. " Livni also blasted the "enormous" size of the cabinet, which will comprise 30 ministers and seven deputy ministers. Netanyahu prepares coalition cabinet; Likud underrepresented Ma’an News Agency 3/30/2009 Bethlehem - Ma’an/Agencies - The new Israeli government is expected to be “light on Likud” with dozens of ministerial appointments going to members if Labor and Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas and Habayit Hayehudi coalition partners in Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud government. According to the Israeli daily paper Haaretz on Monday, many Likud members are angry over the rumored appointments after being promised ministerial appointments during the election campaign. It is also rumored that Netanyahu will split the Communications portfolio into two distinct positions, and add a Strategic Affairs post, thus expanding the number of appointments possible. Speculation to date has the following:Deputy Minister - Yossi Peled (Likud)Defense Minister - Ehud Barak (Labor)Deputy Defense Minister - Matan Vilnai (Labor)Foreign Affairs - Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu). . . Internal dialogue still facing major obstacles Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 3/14/2009 Officials involved in the internal Palestinian talks, held in under Egyptian mediation in Cairo, stated Friday that there are still main obstacles challenging the progress of internal Palestinian reconciliation talks. Sources within Hamas movement said differences regarding the agenda of the anticipated government, the conditions of the Quartet Committee , and the position regarding previously signed peace deals with Israel, in addition to the issue of parallel legislative and presidential elections, remain unsolved. The delegates might have to leave Cairo in order to discuss these issues with their leadership. Head of the Fateh parliamentarian bloc, Azzam Al Ahmad, involved in the internal talks, said that Hamas still insists on the agenda of the previous government, and added that this agenda failed to lift the siege and failed to achieve international recognition. Fatah: Hamas can maintain political stance in new government Ma’an News Agency 3/14/2009 Ramallah – Ma’an – Hamas should be allowed to keep its political positions even as it joins a transitional Palestinian government with Fatah, a senior Fatah member said on Saturday. Ahmad Abd Ar-Rahman said in a statement sent to Ma’an, “Fatah is working forward to reaching agreement; it gave lots of initiatives within those meetings and ahead of them, and it still has the ability to cooperate with Egypt to reach a conclusion for the talks. ”Abd Ar-Rahman’s come amid reports that negotiations among the rival Palestinian factions have broken down over the makeup of the next government and the timing and nature of elections. According to some reports, impasse stems from a debate over the political platform of the government. The US has threatened not to recognize a Hamas-Fatah unity government that does not recognize Israel. Behind the scenes at Cairo: Tension over Government committee; PLO, Security and Reconciliation complete Ma’an News Agency 3/14/2009 Cairo – Ma’an – One-hundred and eighty Palestinian leaders, businessmen and public figures from fourteen factions making up five central, one higher and two follow up committees spent their fourth day in Cairo Saturday in a grand effort at forming a consensus government. The 180 men and women are in two halls at the Headquarters of the Egyptian Intelligence office. The space has been divided into several rooms, one for each of the five principal committees and a sixth for the higher committee. The members of the five principal committees (PLO, Government, Elections, Security, and Reconciliation) are joined by the Secretaries General of the Higher Committee on an as-needed basis. According to the most recent reports, members of the PLO and Reconciliation committees have finished their work and will head home. Hamas, Fatah Differ over Attitude to Agreements Nidal Al-Mughrabi, MIFTAH 3/14/2009 Rival Palestinian factions have so far failed to overcome obstacles in reconciliation talks which they hope will lead to a unified governing body for the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, officials said on Friday. President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah movement has insisted during Egyptian-hosted talks taking place in Cairo that rival Islamist group Hamas must "abide" by existing peace agreements signed with Israel but Hamas has refused to make such a commitment. Hamas proposed using the word "respect" instead of "abide" but this falls short of satisfying the conditions set by United States, Israel and Western countries. The agreements and commitments with Israel were signed by the Palestine Liberation Organization, now headed by Abbas. Hamas, the Islamist movement which won a parliamentary election three years ago, has controlled the Gaza Strip since a brief, bloody civil war in 2007. Abbas’s Palestinian Authority holds sway in the occupied West Bank. ANALYSIS / Fatah-Hamas unity would pose major dilemma for Israel Zvi Bar'el, Ha’aretz 3/14/2009 If the understandings reached on Thursday in Cairo between Fatah and Hamas remain valid even after the representatives from both sides return home, they are likely to expedite the release of Gilad Shalit. Because now Hamas has an additional incentive to wrap up the prisoner swap and claim for itself the credit and glory that comes with freeing Palestinian prisoners instead of bequeathing the task to a Palestinian unity government to which Fatah will also be a party. On the other hand, these understandings will present Israel with a difficult dilemma. Should Jerusalem recognize a united Palestinian government comprised of Hamas and other factions, or should it adopt anew the position of Israel’s government since the elections in 2006 which posits that any entity of which Hamas is a part is illegitimate? A union between Fatah. . . Amira: 'National talks would continue for several more days'ť Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 3/13/2009 Hanna Amira, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), and the Political Bureau of the leftist Palestinian People’s Party (PPP), stated Friday that national unity talks held in Cairo would continue for several more days. Amira said that the talks are now focusing on details regarding the unity government, its political agenda and its formation, in addition to the issue of holding legislative and presidential elections. He stated that another important issue that needs to be resolved is reforming the Palestinian security devices on a professional basis. PPP delegates in Cairo said that the committee in charge of talks regarding the PLO and the national reconciliation committee managed to achieve positive results. Amira stated that when internal talks advance toward important details, they start to get more complicated and start to encounter obstacles. Hamdan: Cairo dialogue moves towards declaring PA harmony government Palestinian Information Center 3/13/2009 BEIRUT, [PIC]-- Osama Hamdan, the representative of Hamas Movement in Lebanon, has asserted Friday that the inter-palestinian dialogue in Cairo was moving in a positive way towards announcing a PA harmony government. He also revealed that the dialoguers want a PA government that reflects results of the PA legislative elections, and acceptable regionally and internationally. "It is not expectable that differences between the Palestinian factions could be solved promptly after this long time of Palestinian rift, thus, the dialogues and discussions should take their time in order to reach rooted and genuine solutions that could surprise many parties", said Hamdan in press release Friday. He noted that although Hamas doesn’t put conditions for the dialogue, yet, it won’t compromise its constants, and thus, he added, the Movement engages in a dialogue through which it clearly expresses. . . Plan to introduce biometric IDs stirs privacy debate Shahar Ilan, Ha’aretz 3/13/2009 No other democracy has yet introduced biometric identity cards, which Israel recently decided to do, and the only nondemocracy to have done so is Hong Kong, according to a study by the Knesset’s research center. One reason for this reluctance is that biometric identity cards require establishing a centralized database with biometric data on every citizen and legal resident of the country. Biometric passports, in contrast, are becoming more common in the West. However because people can choose whether or not to obtain a passport, which is not true of ID cards, this is considered less problematic from the perspective of privacy. The study was prepared in advance of last October’s Knesset debate on a bill to introduce biometric ID cards. The Knesset passed it into law a few days before dissolving for the elections. Hamas wants to choose premier, majority of seats in unity cabinet Daily Star 3/12/2009 CAIRO: Hamas said Wednesday it would demand the right to choose the next Palestinian premier and a majority of cabinet seats in any unity government with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction. Hamas’ opening position in Egyptian-mediated reconciliation talks in Cairo appeared to dim chances of a deal on a unity government acceptable to the US and other Western powers, which shun the Islamist group. Hamas official Mushir al-Masri said any new government must be formed in light of the results of the 2006 parliamentary election, which gave Hamas the majority and which, he said, should allow the Islamist group to form the government and pick the prime minister. Abbas had called for forming a government of non-partisan technocrats who would oversee Gaza’s reconstruction from Israel’s 22-day offensive in December and January. Qassem: Financial disengagement from West facilitates conciliation Palestinian Information Center 3/12/2009 NABLUS, (PIC)-- Dr. Abdul Sattar Qassem, professor of political science in Najah University and former PA presidential candidate, has opined that the Palestinians should find other sources of financial assistance if they really wanted a speedy success of national dialog. Qassem told the PIC in an exclusive interview on Thursday that as long as "we take our salaries from western countries then we will never agree, because those countries put the condition that Palestinian factions should not agree in order to continue channeling funds to the PA". Funds, he asserted, are the main obstacle before signing any Palestinian-Palestinian agreement. He said that the Palestinians should look for alternative financial resources to get rid of foreign pressures, which, he added, are rampant in the Palestinian political arena. Cairo: No unity deal yet Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2009 Cairo – Ma’an Exclusive – Discord over the makeup of a Palestinian transitional government and the timing and nature of elections mean that rival Palestinian factions will need more time to resolve their differences, participants in the Egyptian-brokered negotiations said on Thursday. Jamil Mizhir, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Central Committee, said that Egypt has extended the dialogue until Saturday as a result of the disagreements. Specifically, Mizhir said, Hamas is conditioning its approval of a transitional government on an agreement on PLO reform. In the elections committee Mizhir also attributed the slowdown in the talks to Hamas, saying that the Islamic movement opposes applying proportional representation in elections, and disagrees with other factions about the date for the elections. Street following national dialogue in Cairo: high hopes for reconciliation Amin Abu Wardeh, Palestine News Network 3/12/2009 PNN exclusive - Many of the City Inn guests gathered in front of the TV that is hung on the courtyard of the Ramallah hotel to watch the preliminary results of the rounds of national dialogue. Currently being held in Cairo these talks are hoped to bring a much needed internal Palestinian reconciliation. Division and conflict have dominated the Palestinian scene since the Hamas party won the Palestinian Legislative elections in 2005, the "winners" being the occupying Israeli forces according to most of civil and political society that have used the time to step up arrests, attacks, home demolitions, settlement expansion, etc. Ahmad Khdeir, a participant of a media course that is being held at the hotel, told PNN SMS messages received on his mobile made him rush to the television after the course ended to know the details that are coming from Cairo. Baraka: Conciliation agreement should be a package deal Palestinian Information Center 3/12/2009 DAMASCUS, (PIC)-- Any agreement reached by the Palestinian factions at the national dialog meetings in Cairo should be a package deal including all dialog issues, Ali Baraka, the deputy representative of Hamas in Syria, said. He added in an exclusive statement to the PIC on Thursday that Hamas refuses to sign a partial agreement that includes the government and reconciliation process leaving other issues unresolved. Baraka said that Hamas was ready for gradual implementation of any agreement but on condition that all issues would be implemented simultaneously. He noted that obstacles were facing a number of committees especially those dealing with elections, PLO and government. Dr. Salah Al-Bardawil, the spokesman of Hamas parliamentary bloc, voiced a similar opinion when commenting on media reports that a Palestinian agreement was about to be concluded on formation of a unity government as a first stage. Home free? Avi Issacharoff, Ha’aretz 3/12/2009 RAMALLAH - Marwan Barghouti, currently serving five consecutive life sentences in an Israeli prison, would roundly defeat Hamas’ Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in elections for the Palestinian presidency, according to a survey published this week by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. Conducted by the center’s Khalil Shikaki, the poll said 61 percent of respondents preferred Barghouti for the post, whereas only 34 percent favored Haniyeh. If Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) were to run against Haniyeh, the latter would receive 47 percent support, compared to only 45 percent for Abu Mazen. All signs say that Barghouti will probably be freed under the terms of the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap. As a free man, he is likely to help Abu Mazen, but at the same time undermine him, too. Livni: Israel still a long way from achieving gender equality Shahar Ilan, Ha’aretz 3/12/2009 Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Thursday that Israel is still a long way from achieving equality between men and women and that the low representation of females in the Knesset is a "cause for shame". Livni made the remarks at a special Knesset session Thursday to mark International Women’s Day, which took place on Sunday. A record 21 female MKs were elected from a total of 120 seats in the new Knesset. MK Dalia Itzik said the task of achieving greater female representation was not too great, reminding MKs that she had once been Knesset speaker and that Livni had been a candidate for prime minister. "My life is completely different from that of my mother," Itzik said. "I hope that my daughter’s life will be completely different from my own, and I hope that my granddaughter will say that International Women’s Day needs to be thrown in the dustbin of history," Itzik said. Israeli Rights Group Slam E, Jerusalem House Demolitions Palestine Media Center 3/10/2009 The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) on Monday turned once again to Jerusalem Israeli Authorities and demanded that the demolition of homes in the occupied east Jerusalem cease immediately In its appeal, ACRI claimed that several years ago the Israeli army determined that the home demolitions were ineffective in deterring would-be terrorists and may even encourage terror activity. In a similar petition filed Thursday, ACRI Attorney Nasrat Dakwar contended that since Barkat’s election there has been significant rise in home demolitions in east Jerusalem, adding that residents are given only 72 hours notice before their houses are demolished. ACRI spokeswoman Nirit Moskovitz told Ynet that "as it is the residents of east Jerusalem live under terrible conditions, and the demolitions only add to their despair. British MP gives Gaza aid through Hamas Middle East Online 3/10/2009 GAZA CITY - British MP George Galloway on Tuesday donated thousands of dollars and dozens of vehicles to the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip after arriving in an aid convoy. "We are giving you now 100 vehicles and all of their contents, and we make no apology for what I am about to say. We are giving them to the elected government of Palestine," Galloway said at a press conference in Gaza City. Galloway said he personally would be donating three cars and 25,000 pounds (35,000 dollars) to Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya. "He is the Prime Minister chosen by the people of Palestine," said Galloway. Hamas won in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections. Galloway said that his "message to the Muslim World is that Britain is not your enemy; that Tony Blair does not speak for Britain; we speak for the British people!" "We are all Palestinian!" Galloway,. . . Cairo hosts Palestinian unity talks Al Jazeera 3/10/2009 Rival Palestinian groups have resumed talks in Egypt on the formation of a unity government that would prepare for presidential and legislative elections and oversee the reconstruction of Gaza. The resumption of talks on Tuesday follow the formation, on February 26, of five committees set up to tackle issues such as the composition of security agencies in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Omar Suleiman, the Egyptian intelligence chief who is mediating between various Palestinian groups, urged the rival factions to find speedy solutions to their differences. "I look forward to us finishing our work quickly and within a few days to celebrate our unity. We are meeting here to succeed," Suleiman said. He said the most important job for the Palestinians was to form a government of non-partisan technocrats,. . . Decks Cleared for Palestine Unity Arab News - Editorial, MIFTAH 3/10/2009 In tendering his resignation, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has done what few politicians do: He has given up his post for a cause he truly believes in. The resignation, of Fayyad’s own free will, was a noble gesture for righteous goals - that of improving the chances of a possible unity government of Fatah and Hamas, an end to the fractious situation that has paralyzed and polarized Palestinian life, and more hope for the peace process leading to an eventual state for a people living under the yoke of a cruel occupation. Previous attempts at unity had collapsed in acrimony, but there is a clear determination this time not felt previously. Starting tomorrow, Hamas and Fatah are to continue working on forming a government, holding new elections, reforming the security services, carrying out confidence-building measures and finding a role for Hamas in the Palestine Liberation Organization. The talks are to go on for 10 days, but the two sides are to keep going after that if there is no agreement. State Comptroller: Livni led in Kadima primaries fundraising Hadas Magen, Globes Online 3/10/2009 Nearly two-thirds of contributors for Shaul Mofaz’s campaign came from abroad. Kadima chairwoman and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni raised about NIS 2 million in the party primaries, which she won, states State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss in a report on the primaries, published yesterday. NIS 1. 15 million of the money came from Israeli donors and NIS 831,000 came from foreign donors. Livni spent NIS 1. 93 million on her primaries campaign. Minister of Transport Shaul Mofaz, who lost to Livni by a few hundred votes, raised NIS 1. 4 million. NIS 490,000 of the money came from Israeli donors and NIS 915,000, nearly two-thirds, from foreign donors, to whom he returned NIS 635,000. He also received NIS 20,000 from relatives. He spent NIS 1. 7 million on his campaign. Two other candidates in the Kadima primaries raised smaller amounts. Poll: Palestinians in Gaza Strip prefer Abbas to Haniyeh Ma’an News Agency 3/10/2009 Bethlehem – Ma’an – If presidential elections were held today in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Hamas would win, according to the results of a recent survey published on Tuesday. In turn, the popularity of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and outgoing caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad declined sharply, while the popularity of de facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh increased significantly, the poll said. According to research by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the overwhelming majority of Palestinians believe they are worse off after Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip than before, despite new support for Hamas. The results were released several weeks after the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, but respondents were surveyed amid the return of Palestinian factions to reconciliation talks in Cairo sponsored by Egypt. Representatives of Hamas and other Palestinian factions leave for Cairo talks Rami Almeghari & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 3/9/2009 Representatives of the ruling Hamas party, as well as other Palestinian parties, left Gaza on Monday for Cairo-hosted national unity talks. The Hamas’s delegation was named as Mahmoud Alzahhaer for the elections committee, Isamail Alashqar for the security committee, Khalil Alhaiya for the government committee, Nezar Awadallah for the conciliation committee and Mousa Abu Marzouq of Damascus for the PLO committee. The five committees will be holding talks with Fatah counterparts at an Egyptian government premises in Cairo, starting tomorrow. Spokesman for Hamas in Gaza, Fawzi Barhoum, told media outlets today that the committees need time to finalize all outstanding issues, and that such a discussion requires genuine Arab intervention. Fatah’s representative to Cairo, Nabil Sha’ath, voiced optimism yesterday toward success of unity talks at this time, as Palestinian President Mahmoud. . . Barhoum: We are determined to end division Palestinian Information Center 3/9/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- Fazwi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, has affirmed that his Movement was determined to end the inter-Palestinian rift and was heading to Cairo with a clear vision on means of ending that division. Barhoum told the PIC on Monday that the five committees formed by the Palestinian factions to discuss the PLO, elections, conciliation, security apparatuses and unity government would start sessions on Tuesday. He opined that the talks would not be easy in the light of the complicated issues to be discussed. "However, we are going to the dialog with a clear vision to end the discord and to achieve national reconciliation". The spokesman hoped that all Arab and Palestinian efforts would back the dialog to bring about positive results. Hamas’ popularity rises after Israel’s Gaza war Reuters, YNetNews 3/9/2009 Poll shows Islamist group’s leader Haniyeh would beat Palestinian President Abbas if elections were held today; however 71 percent of Palestinians believe they are worse off than they were before IDF offensive - Hamas’ popularity among Palestinians has risen sharply since a three-week Israeli war in January devastated the Islamist-ruled Gaza Strip, an opinion poll released on Monday showed. If an election were held today, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh would beat Mahmoud Abbas, the Western-backed Palestinian president and leader of Fatah who advocates a peace deal with Israel. The face-to-face poll of 1,270 people by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research was conducted on March 5-7 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as the factions tried to reach agreement on a unity government with Egyptian mediation. Poll: Hamas more popular after Gaza offensive Ha’aretz 3/9/2009 Hamas’s popularity among Palestinians has risen sharply since Israel’s three-week offensive against the Islamist group in Gaza last month, an opinion poll released on Monday showed. If an election were held today, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh would beat Mahmoud Abbas, the Western-backed Palestinian president and leader of Fatah, who advocates a peace deal with Israel. The face-to-face poll of 1,270 people by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research was conducted on March 5-7 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as the rival factions tried to reach agreement on a unity government with Egyptian mediation. Hamas, which Western powers shun as a terrorist organization, won a Palestinian parliamentary election in 2006 and seized control of the Gaza Strip the next year in a bloody [counter-]coup. Abbas asks Fayyad to resume duties until dialogue bears fruit Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 3/8/2009 On Saturday, Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, asked the Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr. Salaam Fayyad, to remain at his post until the internal Palestinian talks achieve positive results, including an agreement for legislative and presidential elections. Dr. Fayyad and his government submitted their resignations, effective at the end of this month, in order to facilitate an agreement for a National Unity Government in the Palestinian territories. The government would be based on the outcome of national dialogue held in Cairo. At the opening speech of the Saturday meeting of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in Ramallah, Abbas asked Fayyad to remain at his post until positive results are achieved in the near future. Abbas said that Fayyad submitted his resignation in order to push forward national unity talks, and efforts to form a unity government. Hamas calls for the adoption of the Mecca agreement to form a unity government PNN exclusive, Palestine News Network 3/8/2009 Ramallah - An informed Palestinian source told PNN Sunday that the Hamas movement submitted a proposal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to postpone the presidential and legislative elections for two years and four years. The source, notably outside of the Fateh government bloc, spoke to PNN today on the condition of anonymity. President Abbas rejected the Hamas proposal out of hand. Presidential elections were meant to be held at the end of Abbas’ term in January of this year based on the Palestinian Basic Law. Abbas refused. The legislative elections are supposed to be held next year: January 2010. Abbas’ team did not want him out of power while the elected Hamas government remained in office. At the same time a unity government was formed within the past two years, yet rejected by the Americans and Israelis, and therefore was never able to get off the ground to function. Abbas says determined to form power-sharing government with Hamas Akiva Eldar and Avi Issacharoff, and The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 3/8/2009 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday that he is determined to form a power-sharing government with his Hamas rivals, despite their deep differences. Abbas comments come a day after Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad submitted his resignation. The move is meant to ease the formation of a new caretaker government to oversee new elections. In the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday, Abbas said any new government must accept previous Palestinian obligations. That includes recognizing Israel, which Hamas refuses to do. The United States will only recognize a future Palestinian unity government if Salem Fayyad is reappointed prime minister, according to a message relayed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to European and Arab leaders at last week’s donor summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. Abbas: We will form a government by whatever means necessary Ma’an News Agency 3/8/2009 Ramallah – Ma’an – A national unity government will be created "by any means," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbassaid in Ramallah on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Abbas said he is hoping the proposed unity government with Hamas will “conform to all the Palestine Liberation Organization’s commitments. ”Such a government, he added, will hold legislative and presidential elections before the end of January 2010 and will be entrusted with rebuilding Gaza. “The sooner we form a government, the faster we can rebuild the Gaza Strip,” he said. The president’s comments came as he signed an order blocking “all aspects of anti-women discrimination in accordance with the Palestinian Basic Law,” and he congratulated Palestinian women on the occasion of Women’s Day in Palestine. Lieberman, Netanyahu want Israelis abroad to vote Yuval Karni, YNetNews 3/8/2009 Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu leaders agree to push for legislation of bill allowing Israeli citizens residing overseas to participate in general elections. Former MK who proposed bill in past says such a law will dilute Arab, leftist votes. Likud MK says bill meant to serve Lieberman’s own political purposes, gaining him 200,000 votes of Russian Israelis abroad -Will the hundreds of thousands of Israelis residing abroad be able to vote in Israel’s next general elections? Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman and Prime Minister-designateBenjamin Netanyahu hope so, and agreed on Thursday that they would work together to have such a law passed. According to the bill proposal, the 800,000 to one million Israeli citizens living abroad with a valid citizenship will be able to vote in any of the consulates throughout the world. U.S.: Only Fayyad can head PA unity gov’t Akiva Eldar and Avi Issacharoff, Ha’aretz 3/8/2009 The United States will only recognize a future Palestinian unity government if Salem Fayyad is reappointed prime minister, according to a message relayed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to European and Arab leaders at last week’s donor summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. The same message was relayed to Hamas by the Norwegian government, in response to the organization’s demand that Fatah replaces Fayyad with an independent candidate. Senior Palestinian sources yesterday told Haaretz that the sudden resignation of Fayyad was a tactical move, designed to pressure Hamas into softening its opposition to Fayyad serving as prime minister in a unity government. The sources believe that the American threat, which is likely to be backed by the European Union and Egypt, will lead to Hamas changing its position and Fayyad rescinding his resignation. Lieberman Demanding ’Full Autonomy’ as Foreign Minister Mazal Mualem, MIFTAH 3/7/2009 Avigdor Lieberman, who Thursday emerged as the most likely candidate to replace Tzipi Livni as Israel’s foreign minister, intends to demand that Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu grants him "full autonomy" in the new post, Haaretz has learned. Lieberman, who heads the country’s third largest party, Yisrael Beiteinu, met with prime minister-designate Netanyahu Thursday at the Knesset. Neither party leader divulged information about the meeting or the issues discussed. However, a source involved in talks between Yisrael Beiteinu and Likud said that "Lieberman wants to make sure that Netanyahu doesn’t let another minister receive tasks that belong to the Foreign Ministry. " The source indicated that Lieberman is interested in establishing sole and independent responsibility in Netanyahu’s future government over Foreign Ministry-related affairs, and will strive to have a clause to that effect ’No Lieberman-Netanyahu deal on cabinet posts’ Mazal Mualem, Ha’aretz 3/7/2009 Aides to Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman denied on Friday that the pair had agreed on the allocation of positions in Israel’s next cabinet. Netanyahu spokesman Yossi Levy said the prime minister-designate only intended on handing out cabinet roles to his coalition partners toward the end of next week. After that, Levy said, Netanyahu would decide upon positions for members of his own Likud party. Only then does Netanyahu plan to present his government, "and any other information is incorrect," Levy added. Yisrael Beiteinu spokeswoman Irena Ettinger also denied the reports, saying that no agreement on cabinet posts was reached in a meeting between Netanyahu and Lieberman on Thursday. There denials came after Haaretz reported on Friday that Lieberman, who Thursday emerged as the most likely candidate to replace. . . Lieberman; most likely to become Israel’s new foreign minister Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 3/6/2009 Avigdor Lieberman, of the Yisrael Beiteinu ultra right-wing party in Israel, has become the most likely candidate for foreign minister in Israel’s forthcoming right-wing government, headed by Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli online daily Haaretz reported that Lieberman intends to demand "full autonomy" in his new post. Lieberman’s party, known for extremist views against Arabs and Palestinians, and for exposing agendas of massive deportation, has become the third most popular party in Israel. On Thursday, Lieberman and Netanyahu met at the Knesset, but contents of their meeting were not made public. Haaretz stated from a source involved in the talks that Lieberman is poised to become foreign minister, but he does not simply want to just be foreign minster; he wants full autonomy, and for this to be included in any coalition agreement with the Likud party. Lieberman demanding ’full autonomy’ as foreign minister Mazal Mualem, Ha’aretz 3/6/2009 Avigdor Lieberman, who Thursday emerged as the most likely candidate to replace Tzipi Livni as Israel’s foreign minister, intends to demand that Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu grants him "full autonomy" in the new post, Haaretz has learned. Lieberman, who heads the country’s third largest party, Yisrael Beiteinu, met with prime minister-designate Netanyahu Thursday at the Knesset. Neither party leader divulged information about the meeting or the issues discussed. However, a source involved in talks between Yisrael Beiteinu and Likud said that "Lieberman wants to make sure that Netanyahu doesn’t let another minister receive tasks that belong to the Foreign Ministry. " The source indicated that Lieberman is interested in establishing sole and independent responsibility in Netanyahu’s future government over Foreign. . . No Netanyahu-Lieberman deal Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 3/7/2009 Israeli sources reported Friday that aides to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister-designate, denied reports on a deal between Netanyahu and the Yisrael Beiteinu Party leader, Avigdor Lieberman, regarding the formula of the next government. Israeli online daily, Haaretz, reported that Yossi Levy, spokesperson to Netanyahu, said that the later does not want to hand out cabinet positions to his coalition members before the end of next week. Levy added that Netanyahu will first decide on the cabinet positions of his Likud party, and after that he would present his government. Also, Irena Ettinger, Yisrael Beiteinu spokeswoman, said that an agreement on cabinet post was not reached during the Thursday Lieberman-Netanyahu meeting. Earlier on Friday, Haaretz said that it seems Lieberman became the most likely candidate to the Foreign Minister’s post. Palestinian officials remain among political prisoners PNN, Palestine News Network 3/5/2009 Ramallah -- Chief Negotiator in the Palestine Liberation Organization, Dr. Sa’eb Erekat, is again attempting to garner the release of imprisoned Palestinian officials. The Israeli administration is holding dozens in its prison, but of particular concern to Dr. Erekat today was Jamal Tirawi. The Palestinian Legislative Council member is among those who Erekat says President Abbas is negotiating for as well. During a meeting of he Palestinian Information Foundation it was learned that repeated attempts have been made to release Fuad Shobaki and Tirawi, along with the headline grabbers Marwan Al Barghouti and Ahmed Sa’adat. Dr. Aziz Dweik of the Hamas party was among those whom the Israelis arrested upon winning the Palestinian Legislative Council elections. His health is ailing which makes him of particular concern. 2 Palestinian women become judges in Islamic court Associated Press, YNetNews 3/5/2009 West Bank women make history, becoming first female judges in Palestinian Islamic court that deals with family affairs. Top judge responsible for appointment says he hopes more women apply for job - The Islamic courts were among the last male-only bastions in Palestinian society, where women have been presidential candidates, police officers and even suicide bombers. Now two stern-looking young women in Muslim headscarves and long black robes have smashed through the thick glass ceiling. Khuloud Faqih, 34, and Asmahan Wuheidi, 31, made history in February when they became the first female Islamic judges in the Palestinian territories. Across the Arab world, only Sudan has had women judges in Islamic courts, West Bank-based academic experts on Islamic affairs said. Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, all relatively progressive states in the region on women’s rights, do not. Hamas: No truce until Israel halts attacks Ma’an News Agency 3/5/2009 Gaza – Ma’an – Hamas warned on Thursday that two deadly Israeli airstrikes in Gaza threaten any possibility of a truce. “The Israeli escalation carried out against the Palestinians and the resistance is a dangerous one. The enemy alone is held responsible for the consequences of this escalation,” said Mushir Al-Masri, a member of the Hamas bloc in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Al-Masri was referring to two attacks, one in the northern Gaza Strip and one in the central section of the Strip, which killed four Palestinian fighters since Wednesday night. “The Israeli occupier will be unable to take away from us any position favoring a truce,” he said. Egypt has been attempting to broker a long-term truce between Hamas and other Palestinian factions and Israel. The talks have been frozen in recent weeks due to political disarray following the Israeli election last month. Zahhar: The national unity government will not recognize Israel Palestinian Information Center 3/5/2009 TEHRAN, (PIC)-- Hamas prominent leader MP Dr. Mahmnoud Al-Zahhar has asserted in a press interview published on Thursday that any next PA national unity government would not recognize Israel. He told UAE-based Al-Khalij newspaper that recognizing Israel would not be on the agenda of the new Palestinian government, and added that Hamas would not recognize the agreements signed between the PLO and Israel. "The Zionist entity is a foreign power that has nothing to do with the land of Palestine and this alien body should get out of our lands," he elaborated. The Hamas leader hoped that the new unity government would be one of technocrats that would be formed with the agreement of all Palestinian factions, and added that the government’s prime targets would be improving the Palestinian people’s living conditions, holding elections and achieving the "noble goals" of the Palestinian people. Vanunu: I don’t want Nobel Prize after Peres got one Yossi Melman, Ha’aretz 3/5/2009 Israel’s nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu requested on Thursday for his name to be removed from a shortlist of candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize because President Shimon Peres had received the award. Vanunu said in a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee that he did not wish "to belong to a list of laureates that also includes [President] Shimon Peres, the man behind Israeli atomic policy. " The nuclear whistleblower was convicted of treason and imprisoned for 18 years after telling a British newspaper in 1986 about his work as a technician at Israel’s main atomic reactor, disclosures which cracked the secrecy around the assumed Israeli nuclear arsenal. Human rights organizations have put Vanunu’s name forward for the prestigious prize every year since he was released from jail in 2004. Netanyahu in cabinet talks with Lieberman Middle East Online 3/5/2009 JERUSALEM - Israeli prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu was due to hold talks on Thursday with ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman as he struggles to put together a broad-based coalition government. Netanyahu is seriously considering Lieberman, whose controversial statements on Israeli Arabs have earned him the label of "racist" among his critics, as foreign minister, an official in his Likud party said. "There is a serious possibility that Avigdor Lieberman will take the helm of the foreign ministry," the official said on condition of anonymity, but added: "Nothing has been decided for the moment. " Lieberman’s Yisrael Beitenu is the third largest party in parliament after winning 15 seats in the 120-member house in the February 10 election. Olmert faces further charges Al Jazeera 3/5/2009 Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, should be indicted for an alleged investment scheme, police say. The recommendation to indict Olmert was issued on Thursday, adding more charges to a series of corruption scandals that have forced his resignation. A police statement said that during Olmert’s term as trade minister under Ariel Sharon, the former Israeli prime minister, he diverted state money to Uri Messer, a former law partner. Micky Rosenfeld, a police spokesman, said the anti-fraud unit’s non-binding recommendation included evidence of "fraud and breach of trust". Olmert, who resigned in September but is staying on until a new government is formed following a February 10 election, has denied the allegations. The outgoing prime minister faces six other simultaneous investigations. . . Clinton meets Palestinian leaders in West Bank Sue Pleming and Mohammed Assadi, Reuters, The Independent 3/4/2009 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held talks today with Palestinian leaders concerned over whether Israel’s next government will commit to a US-backed peace process leading to a Palestinian state. A day after pledging the new Obama administration would always protect Israel’s security, Clinton visited the Israeli-occupied West Bank to deliver a message of support for President Mahmoud Abbas’s Palestinian Authority. " We are very committed to your efforts in this leadership of President Abbas," Clinton told Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, pointman in Western-backed reconstruction plans for the Gaza Strip that freeze out the territory’s Hamas Islamist rulers. Hamas, which won a parliamentary election in 2006, violently wrested control of the Gaza Strip from Abbas’s Fatah faction in 2007. The West shuns Hamas over its refusal to recognise Israel, renounce violence and accept existing interim peace deals. Could Netanyahu be an Israeli Maverick? Mel Frykberg, MIFTAH 3/4/2009 Kadima chairwoman and Israeli foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, has lashed out at prime minister-designate and leader of the hawkish Likud party, Benjamin Netanyahu, for being an extremist and unwilling to compromise with the Palestinians. " Netanyahu is more extreme than Lieberman, who doesn’t rule out a two-state solution. Netanyahu isn’t even willing to discuss it," said Livni on Friday after meeting with him to discuss the possibility of Likud and Kadima joining forces in a unity government. " The meeting ended fruitlessly," said Livni. "Based on that meeting, I am not going to be part of a Netanyahu government. " Livni was referring to Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party which won 15 seats in last month’s Israeli elections making it a kingpin in the formation of the next government. Lieberman is a far-rightist who lives in an illegal Israeli settlement Berri supports Palestinians’ right to armed resistance Daily Star 3/5/2009 TEHRAN: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri voiced his support for the Palestinian people’s right to establish their own state, while slamming Israel’s self-exclusion from UN resolutions. Berri addressed an international summit organized by Tehran, "In Aid of Gaza and the Palestinians" Wednesday, saying: "The Israelis are less capable of making peace among themselves today, following their recent elections, so how could they make peace with others? " "We will always support the resistance and its policies and we call on the Palestinian Authority to adopt the path of revolution rather than that of tyranny and monopoly so that it can regain its role as a representative of the Palestinian people," Berri said. He reiterated his stance that the "best and strongest" weapon for Palestinians was their unity. "Excellent" Syrian-Saudi-Egyptian relations, together with good Iranian-Turkish. . . Consumer confidence shows further drop Gil Shlomo, Globes Online 3/4/2009 The Consumer Confidence Index has reached a five year low. Anxieties caused by the Knesset election results and the ongoing global economic crisis saw the Consumer Confidence Index fall slightly in February 2009 by half a point to 62. 8 points. This followed a plunge of 7. 2 points in January. The Consumer Confidence Index has reached a five year low. The Consumer Confidence Index, compiled by Globes Research and Kesselman and Kesselman - PricewaterhouseCoopers Israel, showed that the public is prepared to give the new government a grace period in handling the economic crisis and is awaiting its first economic policy steps to assess whether the new government can cope with the crisis. Most of the pessimism reflected in the CCI deals with the public’s concerns about the current state of the economy where confidence resembles levels reminiscent of the recession in 2001-03. PNN invited to Sharm el-Sheikh, denied entry PNN, Palestine News Network 3/3/2009 Bethlehem -- Editor in Chief of the Palestine News Network, Fadi Abu Sada, and our colleague and friend, Daoud Kuttab of Ammannet and Radio Balad, were invited as guests of the US at the Palestinian donors conference in Sharm el-Sheikh. Abu Sada was denied entry. The Washington Times wrote a piece on the issue while referring to professional Palestinian journalists in its headline as "bloggers. " To note, Abu Sada is not "a member of Hamas," the party that the US pointedly notes it will not be in contact with, still referring to it as "terrorist. "But the fact that the elected Palestinian government was banned from attending the "reconstruction of Gaza" conference is also highly suspect. The US chooses to support the Palestinian Authority while ignoring the democratic choice of the Palestinian people in the last elections. -- See also: Washington Times piece on the issue PNI: No more hope for peace with Israel; EU: Israel must reconsider settlement construction Ma’an News Agency 3/2/2009 Ramallah - Ma’an - There is no hope for peace with Israel in light of Israeli election results and the recently unveiled plans to build 73,000 housing units in settlements across the Palestinian territories in the West Bank, the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI) said. The party, lead by Mustafa Barghouthi, issued a statement Monday saying it considers the decision by the Israeli Housing Ministry to build the tens of thousands of settlement homes on West Bank land a and Jerusalem “continuation of the war of settlements. ”The act, said PNI, “proves that the Israeli government has no intention of following through with any peace agreements” and that they rather “only care for building more settlements. ”The initiative added that Israel is working to impose “new facts on the ground” in Palestine in an attempt to “destroy the idea of a fully sovereign Palestinian state” and replace it with Israeli housing units and settlements. Gilad: Iran-Hamas ties stronger than ever Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 3/2/2009 Senior Defense Ministry official says Islamist group looking to remove Abbas from power, promote terror activity in West Bank. Adds: ’Hizbullistan’ being established in Lebanon -"One ofIsrael’s biggest mistakes was to allow Hamas to take control over the Gaza Strip in 2007," senior Defense Ministry official Maj. Gen. (res. ) Amos Gilad said Monday. Gilad, who heads the Defense Ministry’s Diplomatic-Security Bureau, told a Tel Aviv University conference on Lebanon that the lslamist group is looking to expand its sphere of influence to the West Bank and promote terror activity there as well. "Hamas’ strategic objective is to seize control of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestinian Liberation Organization," he said. "This remains Hamas’ vision – to take control over the PA by way of elections, remove (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas and make the West Bank its base. Israel’s new far right Yoav Sivan, The Guardian 3/2/2009 "I also advocate the creation of a viable Palestinian state," Avigdor Lieberman says nonchalantly in an article for the Jewish Week of New York. Of course Lieberman - founder and chair of Yisrael Beitenu - is trying to appeal to an American audience and his article is hardly a liberal manifesto. But it does reveal that opposing peace negotiations is not among the priorities of his far-right party, now Israel’s third biggest. One of the central tenets of Lieberman’s recent election campaign was that Arab Israelis are a danger to the country. The slogan of Israel Beiteinu (which means "Israel our home") was "no loyalty, no citizenship". Lieberman’s racist rhetoric sent a chill through many Israelis, but regrettably not enough. Conventional wisdom would consider Lieberman’s rise, which has contributed significantly to Binyamin Netanyahu’s capacity to form a government, as a sign Israel has taken a sharp turn to the right. British foreign minister supports Palestinian unity government Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2009 Bethlehem – Ma’an – British Foreign Minister David Miliband on Sunday expressed his support for an Egyptian-brokered Palestinian dialogue to form a technocrat unity government in the West Bank and Gaza. He said he hopes it will be able to cooperate with the international community and enable the Palestinians to focus on economic development and prepare for elections. Miliband also described Palestinian agreement on a unity government as a positive step. Miliband’s comments came during a recentvisit to Cairo, where he added, "We encourage all sides to assimilate in serious talks in order to bring to an end to the unacceptable status quo, as there are two separate Palestinian entities. " "This will benefit nobody, especially the Palestinian people," he noted. The British foreign minister appealed to all concerned sides to exert efforts leading to a permanent framework. . . Palestinian factions in Cairo identify duties of committees Palestinian Information Center 3/1/2009 CAIRO, (PIC)-- The Palestinian factions identified at the conclusion of their meetings in Cairo the duties of the five committees formed to deal with the files of the national unity government, the security apparatuses, the rebuilding of the PLO, the elections and the national reconciliation. According to a statement issued by the Palestinian factions and a copy of which was received by the PIC, the committee on the government has been entrusted with the task of preparing a proposal about the formation of the government and its nature as a transitional government until the end of the PLC’s mandate and determining its assignments. The same committee will be also working on settling the question of the charities and institutions which have been impounded or shut down and will take the actions necessary for the reunification of the national PA institutions in Gaza and the West Bank and the resumption of the PLC’s work in accordance with the law. Likud presents reform plans to Peres Attila Somfalvi, YNetNews 3/1/2009 Reforms include job protection in periphery, creating new channel of communication with Obama Administration, improving lives of West Bank Palestinians. MK Steinitz: President was impressed with plans -Likud Knesset Member Yuval Steinitz presented President Shimon Peres on Sunday with the reforms intended to be carried out by Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu’s bourgeoning government in the fields of education, personal security, war, and crime. Steinitz chairs a committee tasked with preparing a plan of action for the next government’s first 100 days. The "First 100 Days Committee" also consists of MK Gilad Erdan, Professor Uzi Arad, businessman Izzy Tapuchi, who has been mentioned as a candidate to head the PM’s Office, and Ron Dermer, Netanyahu’s strategic advisor. "The team focused on a number of key issues: Passing the State Budget within 45 days, as. . . Europeans launch campaign to remove Hamas from EU terror list Ma’an News Agency 2/28/2009 Gaza – Ma’an – Removing Hamas from the list of terrorist organizations is the goal of a new petitioning campaign organized by the European Anti-Imperialism Camp ahead of the European Parliament elections in June. In declaring Hamas a terrorist organization in September 2003, the EU cut all direct ties with the political party and froze its assets in Europe. The Anti-Imperialism Camp is set to target the candidates for the EU Parliament’s 736 seats and call for support to remove what they describe as the rightfully elected government of the Palestinians from the terror list. The petition put together by the group calls for the realization of Palestinians’ rights to self determination and resistance to occupation. Kicking off the campaign the document was signed by dozens of parliamentarians and prominent European figures including academics, human rights activists, media members, professionals and local council members. Dr. Mustafa Barghouti content about outcomes of national reconciliation talks in Cairo Palestinian National Initiative, Palestine Monitor 2/28/2009 Ramallah, 28-01-09: Yesterday, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary General of the , was present during national reconciliation talks taking place in the Egyptian capital Cairo, where he led the delegation of the PNI to the meeting. The Cairo meeting was successful, as it finally constituted the ground for a true national dialogue between all rivaling Palestinian factions. Talks were focused on the restoration of unity and dealt with solving the difficulties that impede the existence of a unified Palestinian leadership, able to effectively respond to the occupation and all those resulting challenges facing the Palestinian people. Palestinian factions have agreed to form a new transitional government that will operate until presidential and parliamentary elections can be held. To bring this into effect, five committees were identified, tasked with the organization of a Government of National Unity. Norwegian delegation encouraged to continue positive role in Palestinian development Ma’an News Agency 2/28/2009 Jericho – Ma’an – A Norwegian delegation was received in Jericho Saturday where they were praised by Chief negotiator of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat for their role in supporting Palestinians. A Norwegian delegation recently visited Gaza, and the country’s government volunteered to lead the committee to prepare the donor countries conference in Sharm Ash-Sheikh, Egypt set for 2 March. Erekat assured the delegation, headed by Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was making all efforts to end Palestinian rivalry and form a unity government to rebuild the Gaza Strip and prepare for legislative and presidential elections. He called on the Norwegian government to continue their positive role around Palestinian issues and rally the international community to force Israel to stop its plans to expel. . . Hamdan welcomes European calls for renouncing policy of isolating Hamas Palestinian Information Center 2/28/2009 BEIRUT, (PIC)-- Osama Hamdan, the representative of the Hamas Movement in Lebanon welcomed the letter written by a number of European diplomats and published Thursday in the British Times newspaper which called for renouncing the failed policy of isolating Hamas and involving it in the peace process. Hamdan told the Quds Press expressed his belief that such message reflects the awareness of some British politicians about the importance of opening dialog with Hamas and their recognition of the democratic results of the last Palestinian elections which many tried to ignore. The Hamas leader urged the Europeans to open dialog with Hamas away from any preconditions such as demanding it to recognize the Israeli occupation, saying that the victim should not be asked to recognize its oppressor. Hezbollah ’ready for any confrontation with Israel’ Ha’aretz 2/28/2009 The Hezbollah deputy chief says his organization is ready for any confrontation with Israel, but that a war "was not in Israel’s interest" following its "defeat" in the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Asked his opinion on the recent election results in Israel, Naim Qassem told French newspaper Le Figaro that he saw "no difference between [Tzipi] Livni, [Ehud] Barak and [Benjamin] Netanyahu. "He added that "Israel remains an aggressor state. " Qassem further reiterated the intention of Hezbollah to avenge the assassination of the organization’s senior military figure Imad Mughniyah. "We have no doubt that Israel is behind the murder. We vowed to respond. It is our right," he said. On recent reports of a potential thawing of ties between the United States and Iran, Qassem said it was "too early to say. Ben-Ami: Israel, the USA must talk to Hamas if they want peace Palestinian Information Center 2/27/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- Former Israeli foreign minister Shlomo Ben-Ami has urged both the Israeli occupation government and the USA to change their policy of isolating the Hamas Movement, adding that they should deal with Hamas if they want peace in the region to progress. In press statements he issued Thursday, Ben-Ami asserted, "I concluded hat dialogue with Hamas Movement is necessary since the Movement won a land-slide victory in the PA elections in 2006 and formed the "tenth" PA government". Ben-Ami’s remarks came in the aftermath of a letter sent by 14 political figures and former negotiators to the British Times newspaper urging the USA and Israel to include Hamas in the Middle East peace process. Ben-Ami, who served as foreign minister in the Israeli occupation government from (2000-2001), and Alvaro De Soto, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East, among other figures, have put their signatures to the letter. Palestinians agree to form unity government Middle East Online 2/27/2009 CAIRO - Rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas agreed on Thursday to work together to set up a unity government after Egyptian-sponsored reconciliation talks aimed at ending long-running factional feuding. "It is indeed a historic day," former Palestinian premier Ahmed Qorei said at a press conference announcing the creation of five joint committees, including one tasked with forming a national unity government. Qorei, a member of the Fatah faction of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, said the committees, which will also cover issues such as security, national reconciliation, elections and reform of the umbrella group the Palestine Liberation Organisation, would complete their work by the end of March. "We have started a new chapter of reconciliation and unity. " Earlier, officials from two smaller Palestinian factions said the groups involved in talks had agreed to. . . Palestinian factions in Cairo agree to new PA unity government Palestinian Information Center 2/27/2009 CAIRO, (PIC)-- Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, among other Palestinian factions meeting in Cairo have agreed Thursday to form an interim national unity government that would manage the Palestinian affairs till next PA election is held. Senior Hamas official and deputy-head of the Movement’s political bureau Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, who heads Hamas’s delegation to the inter-Palestinian dialogue in Cairo, confirmed in press conference that five preparatory committees that the factions approved would suggest and specify members of that interim government. He also disclosed that a "new and special" agreement on Rafah crossing point will be prepared, hailing the Egyptian efforts in reaching that agreement. As far as the reconstruction of Gaza Strip is concerned, Abu Marzouk explained, "mechanism of reconstruction [in the Gaza Strip] will be delineated by the proposed. . . Palestinian factions agree to work toward forming unity government Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/27/2009 CAIRO: Rival Palestinian groups agreed on Thursday to work toward setting up a unity government after reconciliation talks aimed at ending long-running factional feuding. "It is indeed a historic day," former Palestinian Premier Ahmed Qorei said at a news conference announcing the creation of five main joint committees, including one tasked with forming a national unity government. Qorei, a member of the Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said the committees, which will also cover issues such as security, national reconciliation, elections and reform of the umbrella group the Palestine Liberation Organization, would complete their work by the end of March. "We have started a new chapter of reconciliation and unity. "Earlier, officials from two smaller Palestinian factions said the groups involved in the Cairo-sponsored talks had agreed to form a unity government by the end of March but Qorei did not confirm this deadline. Palestinian factions meet to discuss unity gov’t Ha’aretz 2/27/2009 Representatives of 13 Palestinian factions including Hamas and Fatah met in Cairo yesterday to discuss a potential national unity government. According to the heads of the Hamas and Fatah delegations, Ahmed Qureia and Mussa Abu Marzuk, the parties agreed in principle that a Palestinian unity government would serve until December and deal with presidential and parliamentary elections. It was also agreed that five joint committees would meet starting March 10 for a 10-day intensive negotiation of the issues still in dispute between Hamas and Fatah. Qureia said at a press conference that there would be further discussions on the actual composition of the national unity government. According to Abu Marzuk, Egypt continues to work to resolve the issue of Gaza border crossings into Israel and the Rafah crossing. Netanyahu fails in bid for broad coalition Middle East Online 2/27/2009 TEL AVIV - Last-ditch efforts to form a broad-based Israeli coalition failed on Friday, paving the way for a rightist government and fuelling concerns about prospects for peace with the Palestinians. Hardline premier-designate Benjamin Netanyahu said he had failed to persuade Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to bring her centrist Kadima party into the coalition he is forging. "I have done everything possible to achieve unity. . . but to my great regret, I faced categorical rejection from Mrs Livni," the leader of the right-wing Likud party said. For her part, Livni said the talks "concluded without agreement on key issues, and we cannot be part of Netanyahu’s government. " "We will be a responsible opposition," she told media after the meeting in Tel Aviv, the second such talks since the February 10 elections. Politics rule race to replace JA chair Raphael Ahren, Ha’aretz 2/27/2009 Uzi Dayan and Menachem Ben-Sasson are the leading candidates for the chairmanship of the Jewish Agency for Israel, insiders revealed this week. Even before outgoing chairman Zeev Bielski was sworn in as a member of Knesset this Tuesday, many possible successors were discussed, yet people familiar with the matter suggest that Dayan, who joined Likud last year, and Kadima politician Ben-Sasson are most likely to get the nod because both are backed by their respective parties but failed to be elected to the Knesset during the recent election. Maj. -Gen. (res. ) Dayan is a former IDF deputy chief of staff and founder of the Sderot Conference for Society. Outgoing MK Ben-Sasson is a history professor at Hebrew University, where he used to serve as rector and is currently running for president. Both told Haaretz that it is too early to talk about a possible candidacy for JAFI’s top job. On kibbutzim, ’it’s more embarrassing to vote Meretz than Yvet’ Lily Galili, Ha’aretz 2/27/2009 Contrary to common wisdom, the left has not died, it has merely been transformed: According to the 2009 election results, Roni Bar-On and Tzachi Hanegbi of Kadima and Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman now speak for a growing number of kibbutzniks and moshavniks in communities near the Gaza Strip. There is not a kibbutz or moshav in Qassamland where Lieberman’s party is not represented. Take Kibbutz Kerem Shalom. Established in 1966 at the place where Israel, Gaza and Egypt meet, its very name, "vineyard of peace," embodied the hope that peace was on the way. Forty-three years later, Kerem Shalom gave Yisrael Beiteinu more than 21 percent of its votes - twice as many as it gave Labor and 1. 5 times as many as it gave Meretz. Of course, the absolute numbers are not as dramatic: Kerem Shalom has 29 voters. Fatah, Hamas agree to form transitional government Ma’an News Agency 2/26/2009 Cairo – Ma’an – Rival Palestinian factions have agreed to form a new transitional government that will operate until presidential and parliamentary elections can be held, a top Hamas leader said on Thursday evening. Flanked by officials from 14 different factions at a press conference in Cairo, Hamas political leader Mussa Abu Marzuq said that they had reached agreement in principle on forming a transitional government. The factions are in Cairo in an effort to end nearly two years of Palestinian political disunity. Ahmad Qurei, the leader of the Fatah delegation at the Egyptian-brokered talks, said, “This government could be formed approved by all of the Palestinian factions or could be technocrat government, or [another form of] government approved by the committees,” referring to the panels overseeing the specifics of the reconciliation. VIDEO - Empire - Israel and the US Al Jazeera 2/25/2009 In this episode of Empire, Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, and his guests zero in on the special relationship between the US and Israel. From its beginning, when it took the US only 11 minutes to recognise Israel, through its difficult early years, to the blossoming bond when the alliance grew based on shared values and strategic goals. This relationship has provided Israel with over $150bn in aid and military assistance, and in the process changed the nature of Israeli society. However, despite the obligatory expressions of support by politicians playing to their constituencies, the recent elections in both countries have them seemingly heading in opposite directions. This second episode of Empire will explore who benefits from the special relationship and whether the status quo will prevail. Leftist leader to PNN: national dialogue going well PNN, Palestine News Network 2/26/2009 Cairo - Secretary General of Palestinian People’s Party Bassam As Salhi expressed great optimism about what was agreed upon at the first day of the national dialogue in Cairo. "The atmosphere is really serious," As Salhi told Thursday. "Everyone wants to progress even though the files are still dramatically difficult. "The notable leftist spoke with from the Egyptian capital that is hosting the long-awaited talks for Palestinian reconciliation. At seven this evening a press conference will give official details of agreements made during this first day of dialogue, including that which pertains not only to Palestinians but also to the rest of the Arab world. Expected outcomes are a national unity government, a re-activation of the Palestine Liberation Organization and preparations for "on time" elections. Palestinian factions agree on unity Al Jazeera 2/26/2009 Palestinian factions have agreed to establish five committees to address key issues for unity. The Egyptian-brokered talks in Cairo between 12 Palestinian factions began on Thursday and follow 18 months of disharmony between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. At a news conference after the talks Ahmed Qurei, a senior Fatah official, said that the moves were a "national necessity and a response to the aspirations of our people. "The five committees established at the meeting will deal with issues including the formation of a unity goverrnment, rebuilding institutions, establishing presidential and legislative elections, security services, and reconciliation. The immediate release of political detainees in Gaza and the West Bank was also promised. Rival Palestinian factions agree to prisoner swap in goodwill gesture The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 2/25/2009 Rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah agreed Wednesday to exchange prisoners as part of a deal still being negotiated to reconcile the bitterly divided groups, a senior Hamas official said. The two sides met in Cairo for talks mediated by Egypt’s intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman. Wednesday’s session focused on the release of detainees and ending attacks in the media against each other. Starting Thursday, the sides were to confront more challenging issues like holding elections and sharing power. An accord between the Islamic militants of Hamas of Gaza and the more moderate Fatah movement in charge of the West Bank is seen as key to moving ahead with Gaza’s reconstruction after the recent fighting between Israel and Hamas. The Palestinians are hoping to raise $2. Majdalawi: 'We agreed to end divisions, start a new era of talks'ť Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 2/26/2009 Jamil Majdalawi, member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) stated in a press conference held by the Palestinian factions on Thursday evening in Cairo, that the factions agreed to discuss forming a unity government, elections, and reforming the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). The factions agreed to form five committees that would start their activities on March 10. They will be in charge of forming a new government, arrangements for new legislative and presidential elections, reforming the security devices, and reforming the PLO to include top include Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. In their Thursday meeting, the factions also agreed to form a unity government before the end of March. Responding to a question regarding who will be the head of the new government, Al Majdalawi said the new government will include all factions. . . U.K. foreign secretary: Talking with Hamas ’the right thing to do’ Reuters, Ha’aretz 2/25/2009 British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Wednesday that talking to the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas was "the right thing to do" but Egypt and other parties were best placed to do it. In an interview within Cairo, where Hamas and the rival Fatah group prepared on Wednesday for a national dialogue on a new Palestinian government, Miliband said Egypt was acting on behalf of the whole world in its dealings with Hamas. Britain, along with the United States and the European Union, calls Hamas a terrorist organization and refuses to have talks with the group, which won Palestinian elections in 2006 and has controlled Gaza since 2007. Egypt, the only Arab state bordering the Gaza Strip, has taken the lead in trying to mediate a long-term truce between Hamas and Israel after the Israeli assault. . . Israel’s next government will be ’more Jewish and more Zionist’ Ha’aretz 2/26/2009 Israel’s next government will be "more Jewish and more Zionist", the confident faction leader of the right-wing National Union party declared Thursday, following coalition talks with members of Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. "There was very positive atmosphere at the meeting [with Netanyahu]," said Yaakov Katz, as he emerged from the talks at Kfar Maccabiah in central Israel. ". . . There is an understanding with Likud that the next government will be more Jewish and more Zionist. "Netanyahu, who was tapped to form the next government following national elections two weeks ago, initially turned to mainstream Kadima and Labor, but was rebuffed. Some Kadima members are, however, rebelling against party leader Tzipi Livni’s determination to sit in opposition, and urging her to join a Likud-led coalition. Netanyahu Rebuffed Again in Efforts to Form Coalition Isabel Kershner, MIFTAH 2/25/2009 Ehud Barak, the leader of Israel’s center-left Labor Party, turned down a proposal on Monday by the prime minister-designate, Benjamin Netanyahu of the conservative Likud Party, to join a broad governing coalition. The refusal dealt a further blow to Mr. Netanyahu’s efforts to forge a unity government. His meeting on Sunday with Tzipi Livni, the leader of the centrist Kadima Party, ended without agreement. “The voters’ verdict has sent the Labor Party into the opposition,” Mr. Barak said. “I told Netanyahu that we will serve as a responsible, serious and constructive opposition. ” In the Feb. 10 election, his party won only 13 of the 120 seats in Parliament. Mr. Netanyahu has six weeks to form a government and says he will press on in his pursuit of national unity. Ms. Livni and Mr. Barak both said they would meet with him again if asked. Fischer rebuffs Netanyahu on offer to join cabinet Moti Bassok, Ha’aretz 2/25/2009 Stanley Fischer yesterday rejected Benjamin Netanyahu’s plea to join his cabinet as finance minister. Netanyahu, the prime minister designate and former finance minister himself, may well decide to keep the finance portfolio for himself. He reportedly doesn’t feel there are any suitable candidates among his fellow party members to headthe ministry. His candidates all come from outside the party, as did Fischer - the governor of the Bank of Israel. By order of preference, his favorite candidates are himself, followed by Avigdor Lieberman and an external figure - Aharon Fogel. The latter knows the Finance Ministry, having served as its director general and chief of its budgets department. Fogel currently chairs both Migdal Insurance and Ness Technologies, a giant software house. However, if Netanyahu manages to build a broad coalition with Kadima, he almost. . . Bethlehem struggles ’out of season’ Alex Sehmer in Bethlehem, Al Jazeera 2/26/2009 Bethlehem, which bustles with tourists around Christmas time, sees little business for the main part of the year. Ihad and Osama, two young Palestinians who had found work refitting a women’s clothing shop close to the main market, told Al Jazeera that they had been lucky to find the temporary work. Unemployment in Bethlehem is incredibly high - some estimates from last year have put it at over 60 per cent. "We hope that things will get better," Victor Batarseh, the mayor of Bethlehem, told Al Jazeera. "But to tell you frankly, with the results of the Israeli elections, Israeli society is going more to the right. . . really what we see is that Israeli society is becoming more extremist. " Western promises - Western powers have made much of their intentions to support Palestinians by building up the West Bank economically. Syrian Foreign Minister will attend Gaza meeting in Cairo Saed Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center News 2/26/2009 Next week’s meeting in Sharm Al-Sheikh, Egypt will include not only Palestinian, Israeli, US and Egyptian officials, but a representative from the Syrian government as well. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem told the media on Thursday, "I will represent my country - Syria would never be absent from a meeting on the reconstruction of Gaza. " He made his statement during a joint press conference with Javier Solana, the foreign policy representative of the European Union. The decision to participate comes at a time of increased tension between Syria and Israel, given the shift to the right in the Israeli government that has taken place with the recent election. In addition, officials on both sides leaked statements to the media prior to Israel’s invasion of Gaza that the two states were closer to an agreement than they had been in many years. Hamas delegation to Cairo to initiate bilateral meetings with Fatah Palestinian Information Center 2/24/2009 DAMASCUS, (PIC)-- Hamas deputy representative in Syria Ali Baraka stated that a delegation from the Movement will leave for Cairo on Tuesday to hold bilateral meetings with Fatah representatives only days before holding the comprehensive inter-Palestinian dialog in order to eliminate all obstacles that may adversely affect the national reconciliation process. In an exclusive statement to the PIC, Baraka revealed that a comprehensive meeting between heads of Palestinian factions will be held on Thursday after the bilateral meetings between Hamas and Fatah in order to form five committees on the PLO, the government, elections, the rebuilding of the security apparatuses, and the Palestinian reconciliation. He pointed out that when these committees finish their duties and reach agreements on all the five files, a package agreement will be signed in a ceremony attended by seven Arab countries in Cairo. Hamas says it reserves right to bring arms into Gaza Reuters, Ha’aretz 2/25/2009 Gaza-based Hamas strongman Mahmoud Zahar declared Tuesday that his Islamist militant group reserves the right to bring arms into Gaza. "It’s our right to bring in everything - money and arms. We will not give anyone any commitment on this subject," Zahar toldin an interview in the Egyptian town of Ismailia. One the goals of Israel’s recent offensive against Hamas in Gaza was to stem the flow of weaponry into the coastal strip. Zahar, who served as Palestinian foreign minister in the government Hamas formed in Gaza after winning elections in 2006, also said Hamas had asked Egypt to let it import 1,000 containers into Gaza for use as temporary housing for Palestinians displaced during the Israel Defense Forces campaign, which ended in mid-January. Israeli president urges Europeans to shun Hamas Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/25/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday urged Europeans to shun Hamas, telling the European Parliament’s president the Islamist government in Gaza was a "murderous terrorist" administration. "Europeans must understand that Hamas is a dangerous and murderous terrorist organization and must stop immediately showing any sympathy and support as this attitude prevents the continuation of the peace process," Peres told Hans-Gert Poettering. Poettering on Monday led a delegation of European parliamentarians to the Gaza Strip, which was devastated by a 22-day Israeli military offensive in which more than 1,300 Palestinians, two-thirds of whom were civilians and including over 400 children, were killed. Following his visit, the European official expressed grave concern about the situation in the Palestinian enclave that is reeling under an Israeli blockade imposed after Hamas won legislative elections in 2006. Israel swears in new parliament Al Jazeera 2/25/2009 Israel is swearing in a new parliament following the country’s tightest general election in years. The swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday for 120 Knesset members came as Benyamin Netanyahu, the leader of the right-wing Likud party, continued efforts to form a coalition cabinet. Netanyahu, who was asked to pull together a ruling coalition by Shimon Peres, the Israeli president, has just under six weeks to complete his task. Speaking at the parliament’s inaugural session, Peres said politicians should make peace efforts with the Palestinians its main priority. "To conclude negotiations with the Palestinians during this parliamentary tenure" is the biggest challenge facing Israel, he said. "Distinguished Arab leaders have told me that a peace accord with the Palestinians would be recognised as a regional peace agreement that includes Israel," he said. ’Waltz with Bashir’ crew lament Oscar defeat Nirit Anderman, Ha’aretz 2/24/2009 The small screening room of the Third Ear music store in Tel Aviv was chock full of cameramen. As the declaration of the winner of Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award drew near, the dark auditorium was suddenly immersed in flashes, much to the surprise of the audience, composed of the animators and crew of "Waltz with Bashir," who had wanted to watch the ceremony together. If a few minutes earlier you could still catch a yawn or a nodding head among the crowd, everyone was at full alert now. The naming of each of the contending nominees brought gentle boos from the crowd. Only the title of the Israeli candidate was met with an uproar of approval that made two specially prepared champagne bottles rattle slightly where they stood. Director Ari Folman’s gang crossed its fingers and stared fixedly at the screen. Labour unlikely to join Netanyahu government Middle East Online 2/23/2009 JERUSALEM - Israel’s centre-left Labour party is unlikely to join a coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu, the right-winger charged with forming the next government, a senior official said on Monday. "I don’t see how the Labour party could join the government that Netanyahu is going to create," Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon told public radio. "We want to become stronger while in opposition," he said, shortly before a meeting between Netanyahu and Labour leader and outgoing defence minister Ehud Barak. Labour, the veteran party that has been the pillar of governments since the founding of the Jewish state in 1948, saw its worst-ever performance in the February 10 election, winning only 13 seats in the 120-member parliament. On Friday, President Shimon Peres tasked former premier Netanyahu of the right-wing Likud with forming the next government. Livni: We are headed for opposition Mazal Mualem, Ha’aretz 2/23/2009 Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima chief Tzipi Livni have agreed to meet again for talks in the next few days, but stressed that no coalition negotiations are underway. Speaking last night to reporters after their first meeting since the February 10 election, Livni said there are still "profound differences" between the two parties’ positions on the peace process and talks with the Palestinians. "I will be taking Kadima into the opposition," she said. "Netanyahu has asked for another meeting - and I agreed. As far as I am concerned, this meeting has changed nothing. "Also briefing reporters, Netanyahu said he told Livni, "I will continue to try to form a national unity government to counter the threats facing Israel. This is the will of the people. "Netanyahu listed the threats facing the country, adding that "it is incumbent upon us that we unite all of our forces for this common goal. Netanyahu: Coalition talks with Kadima futile Attila Somfalvi, YNetNews 2/23/2009 Following closed meeting with Livni, Prime minister-designate convinced Kadima won’t join Likud-led coalition; Kadima leader: Bibi did not respond positively to question of whether he would strive for a two-state solution - Prime-Minister designate Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni met at Jerusalem’s Inbal Hotel Sunday night for the first time since the recent general elections and just two days after President Shimon Peres tasked the Likud leader with forming the next government. "Tonight and over recent days efforts have been made to establish a unity government before the challenges and dangers facing Israel. This is the will of the people," Netanyahu told reporters following the hour-and-a-half long meeting, which was held behind closed doors. "We must unite forces in honor of common goals - peace, prosperity, and security. Netanyahu, Livni fail to reach coalition deal, but agree to meet again Barak Ravid and Mazal Mualem, Ha’aretz 2/23/2009 Likud chief Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni failed to come to agreement on various issues that would allow for the formation of a national unity government, though the two party heads did agree to meet again later this week following their sit-down in Jerusalem on Sunday. Speaking last night to reporters after their first meeting since the February 10 election, Livni said there are still "profound differences" between the two parties’ positions on the peace process and talks with the Palestinians. "I will be taking Kadima into the opposition," she said. "Netanyahu has asked for another meeting and I agreed. As far as I am concerned, this meeting has changed nothing. ""In the coming days, I will make an effort to form a national unity government in light of the significant challenges the State of Israel faces," Netanyahu told reporters. Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu launches global charm offensive Barak Ravid, Ha’aretz 2/23/2009 Yisrael Beiteinu officials have launched a public relations campaign to tell the United States, Europe and the Arab world that there is nothing to fear from Avigdor Lieberman’s initiative to add an oath of allegiance to Israel’s Citizenship Law. Meanwhile, Israel’s ambassador to Italy, Gideon Meir, warned the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem that the Arab countries are conducting a campaign to demonize Lieberman in Europe. Meir called for special PR work to be devoted to this issue, as the Yisrael Beiteinu leader might be appointed to a cabinet post in the government Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to form. During his election campaign, Lieberman called for an amendment requiring citizens to take a loyalty oath. Yisrael Beiteinu’s PR efforts are being spearheaded by Israel’s former ambassador to the United. . . Hundreds of Gazans head to Egypt as crossing opens Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/23/2009 GAZA CITY: Hundreds of people went into and out of the Gaza Strip on Sunday after Egypt opened the Rafah crossing, the enclave’s sole crossing that bypasses the Jewish state, a Hamas official told AFP. The Rafah crossing opened at around 9 a. m. and was expected to remain open for three days, said Adel Zurub. After seven hours, some 420 people had left Gaza and 230 entered the Palestinian coastal territory, he added. Rafah has been largely closed since June 2006, when Gaza militants seized an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid that followed arrests of scores of Hamas lawmakers, fresh from an election victory over Fatah earlier in the year. After the Islamists took power by force in what many have termed a pre-empting of an impending US-backed offensive by Fatah, the Israelis tightened their siege of the impoverished enclave. Hamas interior official: 200 Gaza patients deprived of travel for lack of passports Rami Almeghari & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 2/22/2009 Spokesperson of the Hamas interior ministry in Gaza, Ehab Elghosain, called on the Ramallah-based government to swiftly transfer passports to Gaza, as 200 Gaza patients are in need of medical care outside the coastal territory. Elghosain maintained that transferring such passport papers to Gaza would be a good-will gesture from the part of the Abbas-led Palestinian Authority in the West Bank toward an upcoming national dialogue in Cairo, slated for Wednesday. Palestinian passports have been issued in the framework of a Palestinian-Israeli peace accord in 1993. Hamas took over Gaza after 2006’s parliamentary elections, and since have been at loggerheads with the Abbas-led Fatah party. In June of 2007, Hamas seized control of the coastal territory, and since then has been outlawed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, for what Abbas termed a ’coup against legitimacy’, despite Hamas being democratically elected by the Palestinian people in 2006. Israeli leaders discuss coalition Al Jazeera 2/23/2009 Benyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister-designate, has met his rival Tzipi Livni, the Kadima party leader, in their first meeting to form a coalition government since the February 10 elections. The two leaders met for more than two hours on Sunday and afterwards appeared before the cameras separately. Netanyahu said he and Livni found many points of agreement and their disagreement could be "overcome with good will", but did not divulge any details from the meeting. "If we want to find what unites us, it is possible and it is necessary at times like these," he said. "I believe this is the will of the people and I think we all have to listen to the voices coming from the people asking for unity at this time. "The leader of the hardline Likud party added: "I believe that in the end, national sense of responsibility will prevail and we will find a way to join hands for the good of the state of Israel. " Netanyahu vows to work with Obama for peace News Agencies, Ha’aretz 2/23/2009 Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Sunday to work with United States President Barack Obama for Middle East peace by pursuing the formation of a broad coalition government. "I intend and expect to cooperate with the Obama administration and to try to advance the common goals of peace, security and prosperity for us and our neighbors," the U. S. -educated Netanyahu told reporters. Netanyahu was chosen on Friday by President Shimon Peres to try to forge a governing coalition and take on the premiership for the second time. Following a February 10 election, Netanyahu already has the backing of 65 rightist members of the 120-seat parliament, but a narrow government could put him on a collision course with Obama and his promise to move quickly on a Palestinian statehood deal. Najjar: Hizbullah not responsible for rocket attacks Daily Star 2/23/2009 BEIRUT/AL-MANSOURI: Lebanon’s Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar said Sunday that Hizbullah was not responsible for the two rockets fired at Israel from South Lebanon early Saturday morning, blaming instead poorly armed militants or a new armed group. Najjar, a Lebanese Forces politician in the majority government and a political rival of Hizbullah, said the Shiite movement, which heads the March 8 opposition, would not engage in such provocative measures in advance of parliamentary polls slated for June 7. The primitive nature of the attack, Najjar told the Voice of Lebanon radio, "indicates those who did this either belong to a militant group with no modern arms or are a new group that has emerged for a specific agenda. . . Hizbullah and its allies have no interest in launching rockets, especially when we are approaching the elections. Carter Center representatives meet Hamas lawmaker in Ramallah Ma’an News Agency 2/21/2009 Ramallah – Ma’an – Representatives of the Atlanta-based Carter Center met with Hamas-affiliated Palestinian lawmaker Ayman Daraghmah in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Friday. Among the topics addressed in the meeting were efforts to reconcile Hamas with its Palestinian rival, Fatah. The Carter Center was represented in Timothy Rothermel, Sarah Johnson, and David Carroll. The Center assisted in overseeing the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in 2006 which Hamas won. Former US President Jimmy Carter has been a leading advocate for engaging Hamas in the Middle East peace process. Darghmah said during the meeting that negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel have not yielded any tangible results, and that the Israeli occupation does not really seek peace. Daraghmah expressed his hopes that reconciliation efforts with Fatah will succeed. Fatah and PPP argue: Palestinian unity the only response to Netanyahu government Ma’an News Agency 2/21/2009 Gaza – Ma’an – Rival Palestinian factions must reunite in order to face a likely right-wing government that will emerge in Israel, senior Palestinian officials argued on Saturday. “This attitude shows Israeli public support for the complete destruction of what was left in Gaza …[the election] is evidence that Israeli voters are not satisfied with their [government’s] performance and want more killing and destruction among the Palestinians ,” said Senior Fatah leader Ibrahim Abu An-Naja. Abu Naja called for “unity [among] the Palestinians through a comprehensive national dialogue and what would come out of it of forming a national unity government that is able to face the expected dangerous risks. ”“Designating Benjamin Netanyahu, head of the Israeli Likud party, to form the new Israeli government was not surprising but came along with the attitudes of the. . . Egyptian smuggler killed as contraband fuel explodes Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/21/2009 AL-ARISH, Egypt: An Egyptian smuggler was killed and two others were injured Friday when contraband fuel destined to be smuggled into the besieged Gaza Strip burst into flames, a security official said. About 2,000 liters of fuel had been stored in a house in Sarsuriya, near Egypt’s border with the impoverished Palestinian territory, the official said. The fuel was to be smuggled through a tunnel linking the house to Gaza, the official said, adding that police detained a relative of the dead man for questioning. Food, medicines and basic goods are routinely smuggled into Gaza through tunnels from Egypt. Israel, which blockaded the enclave after Hamas won legislative elections in 2006 and tightened the siege after the group took power by force in 2007, has asked Egypt to end the traffic. Israel fought a devastating 22-day war against the Gaza Strip that ended on January 18, and claims border tunnels are also used to smuggle weapons. Hamas: American visit to Gaza Strip step in the right direction Palestinian Information Center 2/20/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- Hamas Movement has described the visit of members of the US Senate and Congress to the devastated Gaza Strip as "step in the right direction" although it was prompted by humanitarian reasons. Former US presidential Democrat candidate Sen. John Keri paid a visit to the tiny coastal Strip shortly after two members of the US Congress Bryan Bird and Keith Alison inspected the devastation left by the monstrous Israeli war on Gaza last month. The visit was the first visit paid by US official figures since Hamas Movement took control of the Strip two years ago. "We hope that the visit will be followed up by more steps that could contribute in rectifying the US policy in dealing with the Palestinian issue. To support the just cause of the Palestinian people, and to lift the oppression that was inflicted on them due to the wrong American polices in the past that gave Israel the. . . Hamas denies sending Obama letter via visiting US senator Ma’an News Agency 2/20/2009 Bethlehem – Ma’an/Agencies – Hamas reportedly sent a letter to US President Barack Obama on Thursday via another US politician who was visiting Gaza. UN Relief and Works Agency chief Karen Abu Zayed told the BBC the letter had been received by the UN and passed on. US Senator John Kerry met with Abu Zayed during his visit. But Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhum denied sending the letter, although he said the Islamic movement is "happy to have contact with all international sides in order to support Palestinian rights. " UNRWA spokesman Christopher Gunness told Reuters the letter had been left for Kerry at the gate of the UN compound and that he did not know the content. "We don’t open other people’s mail," Gunness said. Kerry’s office had no immediate comment. A former presidential candidate, Kerry was visiting Gaza with US Congressmen Brian Baird and Keith Ellison in the first such visit to the Gaza Strip since 2007. Preventing a schism Mike Prashker, Ha’aretz 2/20/2009 The recent elections in both the United States and Israel have exposed a deep and potentially catastrophic schism between the world’s two preeminent Jewish communities. By voting disproportionately for their country’s first African-American president, America’s Jews maintained their traditional prominence in helping the U. S. overcome its racist past, part of its arduous journey to realize the vision of its founding fathers. In contrast, Israel’s 80-percent Jewish majority has just voted in unprecedented numbers for several overtly - even proudly - racist political parties, whose campaigns incited against Israel’s 1. 2 million Arab citizens. The largest, Yisrael Beiteinu, will have 15 seats out of 120 Knesset seats. Led by the Hebrew- and Russian-speaking Avigdor Lieberman, the party campaigned under the slogan "No Citizenship without. . . Sources: Barghouti release is only a matter of time PNN, Palestine News Network 2/20/2009 Ramallah -- An informed Palestinian source said today that it is a question of timing regarding the release of Fateh leader Marwan Al Barghouti from Israeli prison. The well-known Palestinian Legislative Council member has conducted internal negotiations from his cell as well as mediated agreements with the Israelis. He was the hope of many to overtake the presidency after the death of Yasser Arafat. Al Barghouti received nearly 100 percent of the Legislative Council vote in his district of Ramallah during the last elections. Reports that he will be released are frequent with few doubting that it will happen at some point, regardless of the occasional Israeli posturing that puts him on the never list. A source told As Sharq Al Awsat Friday that the "information available to us now is that the Israeli government is going to release Marwan either in the framework of the. . . ANALYSIS / Netanyahu’s victory is starting to turn sour Yossi Verter, Ha’aretz 2/21/2009 Quite a few jaws dropped to the floor as the list of portfolios requested by Avigdor Lieberman became public: Justice, Public Security and Foreign. This sounds like a bad joke, or an aggressive push by a man up to his neck in investigations to usurp the rule of law. One can imagine Foreign Minister Lieberman returning from one of the few countries that will agree to let him in, and summoning the Justice and Public Security ministers to catch up on his investigations; or alternately, telling Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann whom he prefers as the next attorney general. Or you could imagine the faces of Likud MKs Yuval Steinitz, who is hoping to become public security minister, Gideon Sa’ar, a leading Justice Ministry candidate, or Silvan Shalom, who wants to return to the Foreign Ministry, when they heard about Lieberman’s demands. Israeli president asks Netanyahu to form government Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 2/20/2009 Appeal to Kadima and Labour for national unity deal - Binyamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel’s rightwing Likud party, was chosen today to form a new coalition government that would see him emerge as the country’s next prime minister. Israel’s president, Shimon Peres, gave Netanyahu the mandate after three days of negotiations with all 12 parties elected in last week’s polls. Netanyahu’s Likud came a close second in the elections but he was chosen by the president because he won the backing of a majority of elected MPs thanks to the strong performance of rightwing parties in the vote. He has six weeks to put together a majority coalition. The Likud leader promptly called on his rivals - Tzipi Livni, whose Kadima party won the vote by a single seat, and Ehud Barak, of Labour - to join him in a broad national unity government. Even without their support he could put together a coalition but it would have only a slim majority and could run into international criticism for its rightwing policies. Netanyahu asked to be next Israeli leader AP, The Independent 2/20/2009 Hard-line Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu was today chosen to form a new Israeli government. The announcement by Israeli President Shimon Peres means Mr Netanyahu now has six weeks to put together a ruling coalition. His centrist rival Kadima leader Tzipi Livni said they would not join him but operate as an opposition party instead. Mr Peres made his announcement after meetings with Mr Netanyahu and Ms Livni as he decided which candidate would be given the task of cobbling together a new coalition in the aftermath of Israel’s national election last week. The choice of Mr Netanyahu was cemented yesterday when Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the hawkish Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) party, endorsed the Likud leader. Kadima edged out Likud in the election, capturing 28 seats to Likud’s 27. But Likud is in a better position to put together a coalition because of gains by Mr Lieberman and other hard-line parties. Peres pushes for broad coalition Patrick Moser – JERUSALEM, Middle East Online 2/20/2009 Israel’s president Shimon Peres on Friday was seeking to convince the top two vote-earners from last week’s elections to join forces and form a "broad and stable" government coalition. With hawkish Benjamin Netanyahu certain to be tasked with forming the new government, the main question remains whether he can forge a broad coalition or be forced to ally himself with far right parties that many fear could scuttle Middle East peace talks. Netanyahu, a hawkish former premier who leads the right-wing Likud party, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who heads the centrist Kadima, were to have separate meetings with Peres on Friday. The president called the talks after Livni said on Thursday Kadima would rather move to the opposition benches than join a Likud and the far-right Yisrael Beitenu party in a governing coalition. Netanyahu asked to form Israel government Patrick Moser - JERUSALEM, Middle East Online 2/20/2009 Hawkish Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu was tasked on Friday with forming a new Israeli government, fuelling concerns that a right-wing coalition could torpedo the Middle East peace process. Accepting the nomination from President Shimon Peres, the former premier named Iran as the main threat to Israel’s existence and made no direct reference to peace talks with the Palestinians. Peres handed Netanyahu a letter formally asking him to form a new government in the wake of the tight February 10 elections. Peres reached the decision after meeting separately with Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni of the centrist Kadima party in the hope of convincing them to form a broad government alliance. Livni, the outgoing foreign minister emerged from the talks saying she would have nothing to do with a right-wing government. Netanyahu asked to form new Israeli government Donald Macintyre in Jerusalem, The Independent 2/21/2009 Support of hard-right nationalist Lieberman is crucial to Likud leaderBenjamin Netanyahu, the hawkish leader of Israel’s biggest right-wing party, Likud, was yesterday given six weeks to form a coalition government as he appealed for a "new approach" of unity to deal with the"great challenges" from Iran’s nuclear programme and the global recession. Mr Netanyahu will tomorrow begin what may be a lengthy process after Israel’s President, Shimon Peres, formally invited him to form the country’s next government. Mr Netanyahu sought to show a commitment to forming a broad “unity” government by saying that he wanted to open the talks by meeting his main electoral rival, Tzipi Livni, the Kadima leader, and Ehud Barak, the Labour leader, before other parties. Tomorrow, he will meet Ms Livni, who scored a personal victory in the elections when her party won 28 seats compared with Likud’s 27. Peres asks Netanyahu to form government Palestinian Information Center 2/20/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- The Israeli President, Shimon Peres has asked Benyamin Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party, to form the next government. Netanyahu accepted the assignment and announced this in a joint press conference with Peres in occupied Jerusalem on Friday. Peres had met both Tzipi Livni, leader of Kadima party and Benyamin Netanyahu, leader of the Likud earlier on Friday. Netanyahu said that he wanted to form a broad coalition government with Kadima, but Livni, rejected the idea. Netanyahu, however has the support of far right parties such as Yisrael Beiteinu lead by Aviddor Lieberman which came third in the latest Israeli elections as well as other extremist religious parties. Observers, however, believe that any coalition government formed by Netanyahu will be a weak one. Israel’s Lieberman backs Netanyahu Al Jazeera 2/19/2009 Avigdor Lieberman, the head of Israel’s far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party, has decided to back Benyamin Netanyahu, the Likud leader, in his bid to become the country’s next prime minister. Lieberman said on Thursday he would support Netanyahu if the Likud leader strived to form a broad coalition. "We recommend Benyamin Netanyahu, only in the framework of a broad government," Lieberman said. "We want a government of the three biggest parties, Likud, Kadima and Yisrael Beiteinu. " Lieberman’s backing significantly improves Netanyahu’s chances of becoming prime minister. Lieberman pledged his support to Netanyahu ahead of his planned meeting with Shimon Peres, Israel’s president. Peres has been meeting leaders of various political parties before deciding who to invite to form Israel’s next government following last week’s parliamentary elections. Kerry shuns Hamas during Gaza visit Al Jazeera 2/19/2009 The US will not change its stance towards Hamas, John Kerry, the former democratic US presidential candidate, has said during a tour of Gaza. His comments came on Thursday during the highest-level visit by a US official to the territory since Hamas seized control two years ago. "I am here to listen with the UN personnel on the ground to hear. . . the things we need to do is to improve the situation in the region," he said. "[This visit] does not indicate any shift whatsoever with respect to Hamas. . . what it indicates is our effort to listen and to learn," Kerry said in the Israeli town of Sderot before entering Gaza. Accompanied by UN escorts, Kerry said he was in Gaza to view the aftermath of Israel’s military offensive, which killed more than 1,300 Palestinians, hundreds of them civilians, caused widespread destruction and left thousands of people homeless. Livni: Kadima will sit in the opposition Attila Somfalvi, YNetNews 2/19/2009 Chairwoman sends text message to 80,000 party activists saying Kadima would not join Netanyahu’s ’extremist government’ - Despite garnering the support of 65 Knesset members, premiership candidate Benjamin Netanyahu may still find it difficult to form a stable coalition due to Kadima’s refusal to join a unity government with the Likud chairman at the helm. President Shimon Peres is expected to summon Netanyahu and Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni for private meetings as early as Friday, according to a source from the President’s Residence. In the meetings, Peres is expected to stress to the two party leaders the need for the formation of a broad unity government. During her visit to the Qassam museum in Sderot with US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, Livni said ’I will continue not only to believe in our path, but also to lead it. I do not intend to be a cover for political paralysis. " Binyamin Netanyahu moves closer to becoming Israeli PM Rory McCarthy Jerusalem, The Guardian 2/19/2009 The rightwing Israeli opposition leader, Binyamin Netanyahu, today appeared increasingly likely to become the country’s next prime minister after winning the key endorsement of a far-right politician. Avigdor Lieberman, whose party, Israel Our Home, came a strong third in last week’s general elections, met the Israeli president, Shimon Peres, and told him he would support Netanyahu to lead a new coalition government. He said he preferred to see Netanyahu lead a broad, national unity government but added that he would join even a narrow rightwing cabinet. Even though Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party, came a close second in the elections, he has been favoured to become prime minister because the success of other rightwing parties means he could put together a majority coalition government far more easily than his rival Tzipi Livni. Barak: We won’t recommend anyone for PM Attila Somfalvi, YNetNews 2/19/2009 Mere hours before his meeting with president, Labor chief announces party will not recommend Livni or Netanyahu for premiership and will sit in opposition: ’Picture is complicated and worrisome when Yisrael Beiteinu is the one to crown prime minister in Israel. ’ Meretz representatives also choose not to recommend anyone. HaBayit HaYehudi (Jewish Home) party recommends Netanyahu - Labor Chairman Ehud Barak said Thursday morning is party will not recommend any candidate for the premiership to President Shimon Peres. Similarly, Meretz representatives, led by Knesset Member Chaim Oron, arrived at the president’s residence with the announcement that they would also not recommend Kadima’s Tzipi Livni or Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu. The HaBayit HaYehudi (Jewish Home) party announced that they would tender their support for Netanyahu. Likud in Final Bid for Israeli Coalition with Kadima John Lyons, MIFTAH 2/19/2009 LIKUD leader Benjamin Netanyahu made a final attempt yesterday to build a stable coalition government in Israel, apealing to the leader of the Kadima party, Tzipi Livni, that she should join him in a government broader than just the "nationalist camp". He made the comments the day before President Shimon Peres was due to receive the official results from last week’s election. After receiving those results, Mr Peres is expected to announce this Friday to whom he will give the opportunity to form a government. That leader, expected to be Mr Netanyahu, will then have 42 days to return to him with a coalition government. Both major parties - Likud and Kadima - yesterday continued bargaining with smaller parties to see whether they could present to Mr Peres a coalition with more than 60 of the Knesset’s 120 seats. Kadima said yesterday it had accepted Yisrael Beiteinu’s major demands for any coalition support, although it appeared likely that Likud would be able to present a stronger case for a coalition. Netanyahu wins backing in Israeli PM contest Jeffrey Heller and Ori Lewis, Reuters, The Independent 2/19/2009 Benjamin Netanyahu’s chances of becoming Israel’s prime minister improved today after he won the conditional backing of a kingpin politician who heads a far-right party. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, recommended to President Shimon Peres that he tap Netanyahu to form a government, on condition the right-wing Likud chief pursued a broad coalition. Netanyahu has said he would do so. Peres could announce as early as tomorrow, after wrapping up consultations with party leaders, whether he will ask Netanyahu or centrist Kadima chief Tzipi Livni to put together a governing coalition. Both laid claim to the premiership after Kadima won 28 seats in the 120-member parliament to Likud’s 27 in an inconclusive 10 February election that deepened uncertainty about future peace moves with the Palestinians. Right unites to put Netanyahu on course to become Israeli PM Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 2/19/2009 Binyamin Netanyahu appeared set to become Israel’s next prime minister at the head of a rightwing coalition after he won the endorsement of a far-right politician. Avigdor Lieberman, whose party Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) came third in last week’s general elections, told Israel’s president, Shimon Peres, that he would support Netanyahu to lead a new coalition. He said he preferred to see Netanyahu lead a broad, national unity government but would join even a narrow, rightwing cabinet. Within hours, Netanyahu’s rival for the leadership, Tzipi Livni, the current foreign minister, said her Kadima party would go into opposition, even though it won the most seats in the election. It leaves an unprecedented situation: in effect she won the election but lost the government. Peres won’t hesitate to push parties Yuval Azoulay, Ha’aretz 2/19/2009 Supreme Court Justice Eliezer Rivlin, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, submitted the official election results for the 18th Knesset to President Shimon Peres last night. Peres must now decide whether to assign Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni or Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu the task of forming a government and becoming the next prime minister. If there is no overriding support among the parties in the Knesset for either Netanyahu or Livni, Peres may end up taking a more active role in the country’s politics than he has in his role as president so far, a source close to Peres said. "In the current political mess, we are liable to find a very active president, very determined and creative," a source close to Peres said yesterday. "If there is no other choice that would allow him to assign one of the candidates the task of forming the government,. . . Mousa: Abbas should declare presidential elections Palestinian Information Center 2/19/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- Palestinian lawmaker MP Yahya Mousa of the change and reform bloc in the PLC urged on Wednesday former PA chief and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas to immediately call for presidential elections if he couldn’t end the Palestinian political rift and release political prisoners from his jails in the West Bank. In a statement he issued Wednesday and a copy of which was obtained by the PIC, Mousa asserted, "All parties in the Palestinian arena unanimously agree on the necessity to end the file of political arrests. We believe that if Abbas possesses the political will to do that he will carry it out; however, if he (Abbas) feels that he cannot carry out such a thing, then he should leave the position and call for fresh presidential elections to elect a new president capable of carrying out the national duties and lead the Palestinian people toward national liberation". Maliki allies triumph in Iraq provincial polls Middle East Online 2/19/2009 BAGHDAD - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s allies triumphed in the January 31 provincial polls, final results showed on Thursday, boosting his position in war-battered Iraq after fiercely contested elections. Candidates backed by Maliki dominated in Baghdad and also won a majority in all nine of Iraq’s Shiite provinces, in a huge vote of confidence for the premier whose standing has grown steadily at home and abroad in the past year. Just over half of Iraqis voted in the largely trouble-free elections, which were seen as a vital test of the country’s progress since the US-led invasion ousted Saddam Hussein from power almost six years ago. Maliki, a Shiite, did not stand in the provincial council polls but threw his backing behind State of Law Coalition candidates. The polls held in 14 of Iraq’s 18 provinces were seen as a referendum on Maliki’s performance. Report: Abbas dismisses chief negotiator Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 2/17/2009 Palestinian president reportedly replaces peace talks negotiations head Ahmad Qureia with chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat. Asharq al-Awsat newspaper quotes Erekat’s confirmation of report, saying ’Yes, I am head of the team’ -Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been on hold for some time now, due to the elections in Israel and Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. But within the Palestinian Authority, personal struggles between officials involved in the talks have been reported. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the head of his negotiations team Ahmad Qureia, and appointed PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erekat in his place, London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported on Tuesday. The report was confirmed by Erekat himself, who told the paper, "Yes, I am the head of the Palestinian negotiations team. Palestinian President deplores new Israeli settlement expansion Rami Almeghari&Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 2/17/2009 Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, criticized yesterday an Israeli decision to confiscate Palestinian-owned lands for settlements expansion in the occupied West Bank. "If settlement activities do not come to a halt, any peace talks with Israel become useless and meaningless", Abbas stressed. After the results of the latest Israeli elections, Abbas called on any new Israeli leadership to accept the two-state solution as a basis for peaceful settlement with the Palestinians. The Palestinian president, speaking at a conference in Ramallah with Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavarov, maintained that Palestinians and Israelis can not start from scratch. According to Israeli online Daily Haaretz, Israel plans to seize 1. 7 million square meters of Palestinian-owned lands in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, for the expansion of the nearby Israeli settlement of Efrat. ANALYSIS / Why has Israel backtracked on Shalit deal? Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Ha’aretz 2/17/2009 Israel’s behavior in the past few days in the discussions for the Shalit deal and the cease-fire agreement has put the Egyptian mediators off balance. About 10 days ago, when senior defense official Amos Gilad traveled to Cairo, the Egyptians understood that the matter was nearly closed. The tahadiyeh [lull] is within reach, and in parallel, or approximately so, the abducted soldier would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. The Egyptians had hoped to issue an official statement on a deal close to Election Day in Israel, but when that was not possible they assumed it would take a day or two more. In the meantime, a week has gone by and Israel is reopening issues for discussion they in Cairo had thought were closed. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak put things bluntly. US professors warn against coalition with Lieberman Orly Azulay, YNetNews 2/17/2009 Prominent Jewish academics launch petition urging Netanyahu, Livni not to form government with Yisrael Beiteinu leader. Such a move, they say, will delegitimize Israel in world and strain its relations with American Jewry - A petition initiated by Jewish university professors in the United States is calling on Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima Chairman Tzipi Livni not to enter a government with Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman. "Through his platform and his rhetoric Mr. Lieberman threatens Israeli society with the darkness of race-baiting, demagoguery and ultra-nationalism. We respect the right of Israeli citizens to elect their own political leadership, yet as supporters of a democratic state we cannot remain silent at this crucial time. We remember too well how democracies in the 20th century were brought down by anti-democratic leaders who came to power through popular elections," the petition reads. ’Say ’nyet’ to Lieberman,’ leftist U.S. Jews urge Kadima, Likud Natasha Mozgovaya, Ha’aretz 2/17/2009 Reflecting the official position of the new administration which is careful not to interfere with the delicate issues of the domestic policy in Israel, major Jewish organizations in the United States have chosen to keep silent amid the uncertainty of the recent Israeli elections. But a few left-wing Jewish activists have been busy, taking little time to rest in between demonstrations against Israel’s policy toward Gaza and the prospects of Avigdor Lieberman’s joining the ruling coalition. Two Massachusetts professors,Dennis Gaitsgory, a mathematician from Harvard University, and MIT Professor Josh Tenenbaum launched an online petition entitled "No government with Lieberman," calling on the next Israeli prime minister to cease courting the Yisrael Beiteinu leader. The petition is addressed to the leaders of Kadima. . . PLO’s Erekat says Mahmoud Abbas considers Gaza aid top priority Ma’an News Agency 2/17/2009 Jericho – Ma’an – Palestine’s chief negotiator confirmed on Tuesday that President Mahmoud Abbas considers the reconstruction of Gaza as a major priority of his Fatah-led Palestinian Authority government. Sa’eb Erekat said aiding Gaza would be the president’s “maximum priority. ”The comments came at a meeting between Erekat and Spain’s Minister of Cooperation, Sobra Rozigeiz, and Spanish Consul General Ramon Enswin in Ramallah on Tuesday. Erekat added that the Palestine Liberation Organization “ceaselessly seeks accomplishing national reconciliation as a main basic point in order to enable Palestinians to face the challenges caused by the Israelis. ”He said that a national unity government should be formed in order to more forward reconstruction in Gaza, alleviating the Israeli blockade and improving issues related to crossings, as well as presidential and legislative elections. Abu Marzouk: Seven Arab countries to patronize Palestinian conciliation Palestinian Information Center 2/17/2009 AMMAN, (PIC)-- Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy political bureau chairman of Hamas Movement, has revealed that seven Arab countries would patronize the inter-Palestinian national dialog. The Hamas leader told a seminar in the Jordanian capital on the Gaza battle on the phone that the meetings between Fatah and Hamas delegations in Cairo aimed at furnishing the atmosphere before the dialog, which is scheduled to open in Cairo by the end of February. He noted that the Hamas-Fatah talks focused on media campaigns, political detention and closure of Palestinian institutions. Abu Marzouk explained that the dialog would produce six committees to discuss all pending issues including restructuring the PLO, national unity government, security apparatuses, elections and means of dealing with results of the division in the Palestinian arena. Plenty of brakes but no engine Amnon Rubinstein, Jerusalem Post 2/17/2009 As the coalition negotiations enter into their familiar despair stage, and as the public becomes more and more aware that no conceivable Israeli government will be effective or viable, it is time to dwell once more on our blighted electoral system. Election campaign billboard showing Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister and Kadima party leader Tzipi Livni in Tel Aviv. Photo: AP As a matter of fact, the election results confirmed preexisting fears. Israel has lost its capacity to produce durable parliaments and functioning governments. Some important points ought to be made: First, during the period when the prime minister was directly elected, that system was blamed for splintering the Knesset and for reducing the size of the two big parties. Now, after having returned fully to the old parliamentary system, we realize that the decline of both parties is an ongoing process with deep roots in Israeli society. Majadele: Arabs likely to quit Labor if Barak remains leader Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/17/2009 Science, Culture and Sport Minister Raleb Majadele warned on Tuesday that Israeli Arabs were likely to leave Labor if Ehud Barak stayed on as party chairman. Majadele, the country’s first Israeli Arab minister, said his own position and that of his community in Labor was clear. "First of all, Barak needs to announce in an unambiguous fashion that the Labor party will sit in the opposition in every situation, and secondly, that he will reach conclusions in the face of the harsh defeat in the elections and resign from his post as party chairman," Majadele told Arabic language Nazareth radio station A-Shams. The minister’s comments came after Barak was heavily criticized by Israeli Arabs for his role in Israel’s devastating offensive against Hamas in Gaza last month, which he commanded as defense minister. Lieberman, Livni mull ’civil front’ Mazal Mualem, Ha’aretz 2/17/2009 Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman and Kadima chief Tzipi Livni are working to form a "civil front" to counter the right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties which Likud has been wooing in the coalition talks. Sources in Kadima and Likud say they don’t expect Lieberman to recommend any candidate to President Shimon Peres on Thursday as Yisrael Beiteinu’s choice to form a new government. Lieberman would instead try to force the formation of a national unity government consisting of Kadima, Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu, without ultra-Orthodox Sephardi party Shas. " Bibi doesn’t have Lieberman," Vice Premier Haim Ramon told Haaretz yesterday, using the nickname of Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu. "And the significance of this is that Netanyahu doesn’t have 61 Knesset members who will recommend that he be asked by the president to form the next government. Shalit could be exchanged for Barghuti Middle East Online 2/16/2009 GAZA CITY - The release by Israel of the mastermind of the second intifada, Marwan Barghuti, who remains revered by many Palestinians for his role in the uprising, has never been closer, his lawyer said on Sunday. "We have never been closer to an agreement for the release of Marwan Barghuthi," lawyer Khader Shkirat told the privately run Channel 10 television. "It could come in the next few days. " The television said that Barghuti, who was the West Bank leader of Fatah during the uprising that broke out in 2000 and is still seen as a leading candidate to take over from Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, had been told of his imminent release. He is likely to be one of the first prisoners released in any exchange for Shalit as a goodwill gesture by Israel to Abbas, the television added. Even though Barghuti is a key figure in Fatah and seen as the movement’s principal rival. . . Nasif: The Israeli elections proved failure of the negotiation method Palestinian Information Center 2/16/2009 RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- Ra’fat Nasif, a member of the Hamas political bureau in the West Bank, stated Monday that the results of the recent Israeli elections proved the failure of those who deceived themselves by thinking that Israel was sincere in its political orientations, warning that the negotiations brought a lot of calamities and setbacks on the Palestinian cause. In a press statement to the Quds Press, Nasif said that these results were a great disappointment to those who had refused to see the true picture of Israel from the beginning. The Hamas leader underlined that the Palestinians now have to take a united decision to face the results of the Israeli elections through heading towards the national unity and straightening the path trod by the Palestinian negotiator. He urged the Palestinian negotiators to address all the errors caused by their belief that Israel seeks a just. . . MIDEAST: Hamas Pushed to the Wall Over Ceasefire Mel Frykberg, Inter Press Service 2/16/2009 RAMALLAH, Feb 16(IPS) - Israel is toughening its negotiating stance with Hamas as the two try to hammer out a permanent ceasefire agreement. According to reports in the Arab media a permanent ceasefire between the Jewish state and the Islamic resistance organisation would have gone into effect as early as Sunday had the Israeli government not suddenly upped the ante. A temporary ceasefire was established Jan. 18 following Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s name for its military assault on Gaza, which left over 1,300 Palestinians dead and nearly 5,000 wounded, most of them civilian. However, sporadic rocket-fire on Israel and Israeli military raids into Gaza since then have increasingly threatened the fragile calm. Israeli elections last week saw the country’s far-right make substantial gains as a precursor for taking over the next government. Dr. Sha’ath to PNN: good will gestures exchanged between Hamas and Fateh Fadi Yacoub, Palestine News Network 2/16/2009 PNN exclusive - Member of the Fateh Central Committee, Dr. Nabil Sha’ath, said that the Hamas government helped members leave the Gaza Strip to attend a Monday evening meeting of the Revolutionary Council in Ramallah. Through the Rafah crossing Hamas facilitated the passage of some members of Fateh who were under house arrest in Gaza. They were arrested as part of the Hamas -- Fateh strife that is now leaning toward reconciliation. Dr. Sha’ath described the atmosphere of the discussions held recently in Cairo between the delegations of Fateh and Hamas as "very positive," but he said they "did not discuss the basis of the problems and differences among us, namely the issues of the security services, government and other elections. " Last week’s Cairo meetings were held in preparation of the Palestinian national dialogue slated for 22 February that holds the hopes of finally putting an end to the internal struggle. MIDEAST: Waiting to See Who Blinks First Analysis by Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler, Inter Press Service 2/16/2009 JERUSALEM, Feb 16(IPS) - An indiscreet whisper following a hastily scribbled note around the Israeli cabinet table exposed the deepening political stand-off in the wake of last week’s inconclusive elections. Who will blink first was the underlying message of the whisper and of the note - foreign minister Tzipi Livni or right-wing Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu? The two are gripped in a mighty power struggle over the formation of Israel’s next governing coalition. A word in your ear - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Livni he intended to open the meeting with an on-camera statement urging a broad unity government built around the Likud and Livni’s Kadima who finished neck- and-neck in the poll. Realising the microphones were already listening in, Livni chose to stay Olmert’s hand with an angry written retort: "I have no intention of being in a unity government headed by Netanyahu, don’t even hint that. Russia: Israel election results must not harm peace process Barak Ravid, Ha’aretz 2/16/2009 Russia’s foreign minister yesterday asked Israel not to let last week’s election results freeze the peace process, should a government dominated by the right-wing take over. "Russia sees great importance in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians," said Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is visiting Israel. He added that Israel must "preserve the momentum of the diplomatic process in spite of the results of the election. "Lavrov noted that Russia is planning a Middle East peace conference for the first half of this year, to which Arab nations and Israel will be invited. He said the conference will serve as a continuation of the U. S. -backed Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts restarted in 2007, and the Arab peace initiative. He added that Moscow communicates with Hamas and is pressuring the militant group to engage in talks with Israel, but its leaders are divided in their opinions. Lieberman as wildcard in Israel’s political poker Daily Star 2/17/2009 Analysis - OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: An indiscreet whisper following a hastily scribbled note around the Israeli cabinet table exposed the deepening political standoff in the wake of last week’s inconclusive elections. Who will blink first was the underlying message of the whisper and of the note - Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni or right-wing Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu? The two are gripped in a mighty power struggle over the formation of Israel’s next governing coalition. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Livni he intended to open the meeting with an on-camera statement urging a broad unity government built around the Likud and Livni’s Kadima who finished neck-and-neck in the poll. Realizing the microphones were already listening in, Livni chose to stay Olmert’s hand with an angry written retort: "I have no intention of being in a unity government headed by Netanyahu - don’t even hint that. " Moshe Leon may be named finance minister Zvi Zrahiya Avi Bar-Eli and Lior Dattel, Ha’aretz 2/16/2009 If if turns out to be impossible to appoint Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman as Finance Minister due to the criminal investigations against him, Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu will appoint CPA Moshe Leon, a number of politicians have told TheMarker. Leon served as Netanyahu’s economic adviser and his director general at the Prime Minister’s Office. The sources say Netanyahu and Lieberman agreed even before the elections that Yisrael Beiteinu would get the finance portfolio, and Leon is connected to Lieberman, who as transportation minister appointed Leon the chairman of Israel Railways. Leon, like his political patron, has been vacationing overseas while the political storms rage here. He is expected to return to Israel today from the United States and to comment publicly on his possible appointment. Nasrallah: Israeli elections show honesty Ali Waked, YNetNews 2/16/2009 Hizbullah chief says all leaders but Lieberman have lost Lebanon wars, warns he will get air defenses - Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said Monday that the results of the recent Israeli elections and the bolstered right-wing emerging from them correctly reflect the nation’s image. "There is no difference between Labor, Likud, and Kadima," Nasrallah said. "Regarding the attitude towards the Palestinians and Arabs, all Zionist parties are the same. "Nasrallah’s speech was shown during an anniversary ceremony for the assassination of the organization’s former military commander, Imad Mugniyah. He said the right-wing victory reflected the position of most Israelis. "The Israelis are more honest, more real, and more transparent regarding their opinions now than during the time of the parties that used to cheat Arabs and the world," he said. In control of all borders, Israelis ban passage to prestigious conference in Amman Ramallah, Palestine News Network 2/14/2009 PNN exclusive - Vice President of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Hassan Khreisheh, was prevented from travelling through the Al Karameh (Allenby) border crossing. As the occupying authority, Israeli forces hold complete control over all Palestinian borders that connect with the outside. Khreisheh was provided with no reason for the ban on his movement. During a telephone conversation with PNN on Saturday the PLC VP said that he was slated to arrive today in the Jordanian capital. He had intended to participate in a conference titled "Beyond Gaza" beginning Sunday morning in Amman. The conference was organized by the prestigious Center for Palestine Studies. The high-ranking Palestinian official was expected to deliver the opening address. It should be noted that MP Khreisheh is an independent who won on a ticket that supported Hamas during the Legislative Council elections in which Hamas won. Obama and the Israeli war cry Kristen Ess, Palestine News Network 2/14/2009 United States envoy George Mitchell is slated to arrive on the twenty-seventh to reiterate his 2000 report that called to honor international law which deems all Israeli settlements illegal. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be here next month and may suggest the same but it is unclear the director the Obama administration will take. Obama, as his policy plans suggest, prefers the economic rather than military approach to engendering compliance. This does not hold in keeping with the results of the Israeli elections which were campaigned and won on the blood of Gaza and the extremist settler movement. Settlement activity is on the rise, not dwindling. Up 30 percent in November marking a year since Annapolis the leaps are now coming in bounds. Some 30,000 units are being placed on East Jerusalem and West Bank lands to complete the blocking of the two at Ma’ale Adumim. Olmert to consult with Netanyahu before agreeing on Shalit deal Barak Ravid and Jack Khoury, Ha’aretz 2/15/2009 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will hold consultations with Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu before any final decision is made on a prisoner swap for captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, Haaretz has learned. A source in the Prime Minister’s bureau said on Saturday that Olmert will ask for Netanyahu’s opinion in light of last Tuesday’s election results. Despite garnering less votes than the ruling Kadima Party, the right-wing camp’s majority in the upcoming Knesset gives the Likud leader the best chance to form the next governing coalition. Olmert will also huddle with Netanyahu before signing off on a renewed cease-fire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. " Netanyahu is updated every so often on developments and we will want to consult with him before making a decision on a matter that will be critical for the next government," the source said. Israel: Land of the toxic kingmaker Donald Macintyre, The Independent 2/15/2009 The controversial right-wing politician Avigdor Lieberman holds the balance of power after Israel’s election last week. Donald Macintyre visits his West Bank home of Nokdim - After some hesitation, Debbie Weinglass, a Jewish West Bank settler, finally decided not to vote for her neighbour, Avigdor Lieberman. She was worried he might tilt a little too far to the left. To be fair, Mrs Weinglass doesn’t put it quite like that. Instead, she says she was worried that Mr Lieberman, despite being routinely described as a neo-fascist by his more vociferous Arab and left-wing Israeli opponents, might deliver power to the centrist Kadima leader, Tzipi Livni, by joining her, rather than Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud, in a coalition. So she voted for the National Union, committed to a greater Israel stretching all the way from the Mediterranean to the Jordan river. Peretz says will run for Labor chair Attila Somfalvi, YNetNews 2/14/2009 Former Labor Chairman Amir Peretz says election results prove party must elect new leadership -MK Amir Peretz says that the Labor Party’s negligible gains in the recent elections should prompt it to hold a vote for a new chairman, and added that he plans to run for the spot. In an interview with Ynet Saturday Peretz warned that a decision by Chairman Ehud Barak to join the government as defense minister independently of his party would be "a total divorcement of Barak from the Labor Party", as well as "unethical and immoral". In Israel’s general elections this week the Labor Party won a measly 13 mandates, and were overrun as the country’s third largest party by the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu, chaired by Avigdor Lieberman. In his concession speech at Labor headquarters Barak was evasive on the party’s next step. MK Amir Peretz: I will run for Labor Party chairman Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/15/2009 Labor MK Amir Peretz announced on Saturday that he will run for his party’s chairmanship. In an interview on Channel 2, in his first public response to the results of Israel’s general elections earlier this week, Peretz said Defense Minister Ehud Barak needs to resign from his position as Labor chairman, following the poor results the once leading left-wing party reached - just 13 Knesset seats. "If I were party chairman, I would draw a conclusion and resign," said Peretz, who led the Labor party during Israel’s previous elections in 2006. "Had I gotten 13 seats, it’s likely I would reach my personal conclusion. Either I would resign or I would be shown the way out," said Peretz. Labor is now the fourth party in size, following MK Avigdor Lieberman’s extreme-right Yisrael Beiteinu, whose 15 seats have positioned it as the Knesset’s third largest party. Israel’s Broken Politics The Boston Globe, MIFTAH 2/14/2009 ISRAEL has enough troubles without having to cope with a dysfunctional political system. Yet that is exactly what Israelis are now struggling to do in the aftermath of Tuesday’s general election. This was a democratic exercise in which the winner, Kadima Party leader Tzipi Livni, is almost certain to end up the loser, while the loser, Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, will likely form the next government with a melange of partners he would rather not have. This knot of contradictions is the result of some arcane rules: A political party needs only to surpass 2 percent of the votes cast to gain seats in the Knesset, so special-interest and extremist parties gain undue influence - sometimes enough to make or break a government. Using political blackmail, they can extract from the larger parties excessive budgetary favors or a veto over crucial national-security decisions. Study: 50% of national-religious city residents support ’refuseniks’ Nadav Shragai, Ha’aretz 2/15/2009 Half of all national-religious city residents support the right of soldiers to refuse orders to evict Jews from settlements, according to a Bar-Ilan University study. The doctoral thesis by Hanan Moses delineates a rift within the national-religious sector, which became apparent during the last election. The study observed 515 participants from three groups in the national-religious sector: Modern Orthodox, city residents and people who emphasize Torah observance. Many of the members of these groups used to vote for the now-defunct National Religious Party. Before the elections, it splintered into several factions before finally solidifying into two parties: Habayit Hayehudi, whose focus on Jewish education won it three seats in Knesset, and the more hardline National Union, which waved the flag of the Greater Israel and clinched four seats. Erdogan ’saddened’ by election results Reuters, YNetNews 2/14/2009 Turkish PM says results of elections ’paint a very dark picture’ of Israel but agrees to continue mediating Mideast peace talks. Meanwhile the Israeli ambassador to Ankara has been summoned to clarify remarks made by IDF general regarding massacre of Armenians -Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in an interview withand two Turkish newspapers late on Friday, said the results of the Israeli elections this week had "painted a very dark picture" for the future of Middle East peace. However Turkey’s fierce censure of Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip will not end its role as a peace mediator in the region, Tayyip Erdogan said. Israel’s military campaign triggered protests from Turkey that culminated in a shouting match between Erdogan and President Shimon Peres at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. UK-based paper calls for boycott of Lieberman Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 2/14/2009 ’Al-Quds Al-Arabi’ joins call issued by MK Ahmad Tibi to boycott any government that includes Avigdor Lieberman among its ranks. ’Lieberman is far more dangerous than Haider and the leaders of Nazi parties in Europe,’ says Tibi -United Arab List- Ta’al Chairman MK Ahmad Tibi’s call for the international community to boycott any Israeli government that included Yisrael Beitenu Chairman, Avigdor Lieberman received the backing of the London-based ’Al-Quds Al-Arabi’ newspaper on Saturday. The paper ran an editorial urging the world to refuse to deal with the Israeli government if it included Lieberman among its ranks. Although no coalition has been formed yet following the elections, various figures in the Arab world have been quick to slam the possibility of Lieberman joining any future government. Dozens suffered teargas inhalation during the Bil’in Weekly Protest Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center News 2/13/2009 The residents of Bil’in, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, gathered again after the Friday prayer in a protest joined by international and Israeli activists and groups. The protesters carried Palestinian flags and banners calling to stop crimes against civilians, break the siege on Gaza and stop settlement building. The protest left from the center of the village, calling for national unity and resisting the occupation, and headed towards the apartheid wall which is built on Bil’in’s land. An Israeli army unit was situated behind the wall and prevented the crowd from going through the gate, the army fired tear gas canisters to disturb the crowd, causing dozens to suffer gas inhalation. The popular Committee against the wall is still encouraging people to continue resisting the wall and the occupation despite the results of the recent Israeli elections, because all. . . One dead in Israeli strike on Gaza as Hamas says truce ready Mai Yaghi, Daily Star 2/14/2009 Agence France Presse - GAZA CITY: Israel on Friday launched an air strike that killed an alleged militant on Friday, hours after a rocket attack and the announcement by the Hamas movement that it had accepted an Egyptian-brokered truce deal. "We have agreed to the truce with the Israeli side for a year and a half [in return] for the opening of all six passages between the Gaza Strip and Israel," deputy Hamas leader Mussa Abu Marzuk told the MENA new agency. Egypt will announce the agreement after contacting Israel and the Palestinian factions, he said after talks with Cairo mediators. Israel has yet to comment. Israel imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza after Hamas won democratic elections deemed free and fair by international observers in 2006. In 2007, the Islamists took power by force in what many have termed a pre-empting of an impeding offensive by the Fatah. . . ’Pragmatism will prevail’ The Guardian 2/13/2009 Arab voices: "The ascent of the Israeli right does not worry us. In whatever form, the government, once in power, will ultimately end up with responsibility, pragmatism prevailing. "- Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas / "Any future Israeli government that does not honour Israel’s past agreements with the PLO [Palestine Liberation Organisation], that does not totally freeze all settlement activity, that does not deal seriously with the Arab peace initiative, and that does not believe in a two-state solution based on 1967 borders, cannot be a partner for peace with the Palestinians. "- Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat / "The election results show the Zionists are leaning towards more extremism, crime and terrorism against the Palestinian people and they do not know the language of peace. That requires our people and our factions of resistance to unite and to. . . " Gaza government welcomes unity talks, calls for releasing political prisoners Palestinian Information Center 2/13/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- The PA government in Gaza under the premiership of Ismail Haneyya welcomed the efforts to end the state of Palestinian discord and called on Ramallah to release political prisoners to create the right atmosphere. The government called, during its meeting in Gaza on Thursday, for ending all practices that mar the atmosphere for dialogue, including the cutting of salaries of public employees, the dismissal of employees and arrests based on political considerations. The government also stressed that any Tahde’a reached with the Zionist occupation should serve the Palestinian people’s interests by lifting the siege and opening all crossings and expediting the reconstruction program of Gaza. On the Israeli elections the government said that to the Palestinian people all Israeli parties are the same, they all stand against Palestinian rights and they all commit massacres and practice terror against the Palestinian people. Al Ghoul: Must internal divisions, restore unity to counter the upcoming Israeli government Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 2/13/2009 Kayid Al Ghoul, member of the Central Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) stated Thursday that Israeli politics never change, and that "in Israel, only faces come and go" while the Palestinians have no option but to restore internal unity and end internal divisions. The statements of Al Ghoul came as he was commenting on the results of the Israeli elections in which extreme right wing parties obtained higher percentages. He said that the outcome of the Israeli elections reflects the Israeli attitude towards continuing settlement construction and expansion in the occupied West Bank, and also reflects Israel’s intentions to continue its policies of war and aggression against the Palestinians. The PFLP political leader said that these results prove that racism and denying the Palestinian legitimate rights are strengthening in the Israeli society,. . . 3,000 inmates could not vote for lack of IDs Jonathan Lis, Ha’aretz 2/13/2009 Some 3,000 prisoners could not exercise their right to vote in the general election, Haaretz has learned. This is one-quarter of all eligible prisoners. The Israel Prison Service stated these inmates could not vote because they did not have valid identity cards. Asked why the prison administration could not use its own detailed inmate records, Prison Service legal adviser Haim Shmeulevitz stated that this would be illegal. In the previous general election, more than 70 percent of eligible prisoners turned out to vote - more than the national average. On Tuesday, prisoner turnout did not reach 60 percent. Shmeulevitz said prisoners are reluctant to order new identity cards because the government charges a NIS 105 fee. "Many prisoners decided against paying this fee," he said. Israel’s political future in hands of man who shuns international law Mel Frykberg, Inter Press Service, Daily Star 2/14/2009 RAMALLAH: "The peace process is based on three false basic assumptions," said Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Israel’s extreme right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party, which will dictate the formation and political course of the next Israeli government. "These include the assertion that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the main cause of instability in the Middle East, that the conflict is territorial and not ideological, and that the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders will end the conflict. "Lieberman’s politics and ideology fly in the face of international law, various UN Security Council resolutions, the basis of all Israeli peace agreements with the Palestinians, moderate Israelis, and the US government. Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu emerged from Tuesday’s elections the big winner although it came in third behind the center-left Kadima. . . In Gaza, Palestinians react to Israeli elections Rami Almeghari writing from the occupied Gaza Strip, Electronic Intifada 2/13/2009 As Israelis voted on Tuesday for a new government, Palestinian residents in the Gaza Strip continue to rebuild from the three-week long attack on their territory which killed at least 1,350 people, including more than 400 children, and injured more than 5,500. While many commentators say that the results of the Israeli elections matter to the prospects for peace, Palestinians voiced less optimistic views in bomb-ravaged Gaza. In the relatively calm streets of Gaza City, Nabil Hejazi, 42, hoped the election might make a positive difference, yet he seemed pessimistic toward any improvement of life conditions across Gaza. "I pray to God that these elections turn out to be good, but the Israeli actions and policies toward us are the same, whichever party wins. They only plan for the sake of their own interests". The war on Gaza was initiated by three key Israeli leaders; the outgoing Egypt’s Star Rising in Regional Politics Analysis by Helena Cobban, Inter Press Service 2/13/2009 CAIRO, Feb 13(IPS) - Back in mid-December, many Middle Easterners were daring to hope that, with the imminent end of George Bush’s presidency, their own deeply U. S. -influenced region might see a new day of peacemaking and inclusiveness in place of the recent years of war, confrontation, discrimination and distrust. Since then, two major developments have occurred that have almost overshadowed the excitement of Barack Obama’s inauguration as U. S. president: Israel’s 23-day war on Gaza and the ascendancy of rightwing parties in Israel’s Feb. 10 election. Participants in the ever-shifting system of Middle East politics - and it does act as a system, however complex - are still figuring out, and adjusting to, the political fallout from the Gaza war. Now, they’re starting to do that for the Israeli elections, too, and some main trends already seem clear. Netanyahu, Livni and Barak seen coming together for new coalition Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/14/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel on Friday braced for weeks of political uncertainty and a paralyzed peace process after final results confirmed Kadima narrowly won the election but indicated Likud was better placed to form a government. The center-right Kadima party of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won 28 of the 120 parliamentary seats, just one more than Likud, the right-wing party led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But Livni’s narrow edge in Tuesday’s vote does not guarantee her a shot at becoming prime minister. Most pundits predict Netanyahu will be the one tapped to form a government. Under Israeli law, the person most likely to secure majority support in Parliament - and not automatically the winner of the vote - gets the first crack at the top job. The task is complicated by the fact parties need only two percent of the vote to get a seat in the Knesset. Kadima rules out joining extreme rightwing coalition Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 2/13/2009 [Includes audio] As Israeli leaders tried to break out of their political deadlock yesterday, a senior figure in Tzipi Livni’s Kadima party said they would not join an extreme rightwing government led by their rival Binyamin Netanyahu. Kadima won Tuesday’s elections by a single seat but is struggling to form a majority coalition that would see Livni become only the second female prime minister in Israel’s history. Most analysts expect Netanyahu, leader of the second-placed Likud, to eventually emerge as the country’s next leader, although there are still days of tough negotiations ahead. "We won the battle, but lost the war," one Kadima minister was reported as saying. Netanyahu is thought to want to form a broad coalition that includes Kadima, rather than rely on rightwing parties who would oppose any peace moves with the Palestinians, bringing confrontation with Washington. Rabbi Aviner: Halacha bans Arabs from Knesset Kobi Nahshoni, YNetNews 2/13/2009 Prominent Zionist rabbi says Jewish state should be led by Jews, but claims that since Arabs lack any real influence on Israeli reality, ’things are not so bad’ - A prominent Zionist rabbi ruled this week that according to the Halacha, a non-Jew cannot serve as a Knesset member in the State of Israel, even if the public agrees to it. "This is irrelevant," said Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, "This is a Jewish state and Jews are the ones leading the Jewish state. " Aviner was asked on his weblog whether the election of non-Jews to parliament does not undermine the government’s authority, and "is it even allowed for non-Jews to be part of the Jewish state’s leadership? " The rabbi replied that this was indeed against a halachic ruling issued by Maimonides, and that although later there were those who sought to allow it "if the nation agrees to it," Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook ruled this out as an "irrelevant" consideration. Kadima official says party may join coalition led by Likud Yossi Verter, Ha’aretz 2/13/2009 Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in IsraelKadima will head for the opposition benches if Benjamin Netanyahu forms the government, Tzipi Livni said Thursday, adding that her party has no intention of accepting a right-wing, ultra-Orthodox government. However, a senior Kadima official said the party probably would join Netanyahu’s government eventually, and would demand the foreign and defense portfolios for Livni and Shaul Mofaz, or the foreign and education portfolios for Livni and Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik. In consultations over the last two days, Livni said it would not be possible to set up a real unity government after Netanyahu formed a 65-member coalition. This coalition probably would include the ultra-Orthodox party Shas, which objects to advancing the peace process,. . . Shas says would support including Kadima in Likud-led coalition Yair Ettinger and Nadav Shragai, Ha’aretz 2/13/2009 Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in IsraelShas announced Thursday that it would support bringing Tzipi Livni’s Kadima party into a Likud-led coalition. "I think it would be very difficult to manage a narrow coalition," Shas chairman Eli Yishai told a closed meeting of his Knesset faction, according to people who attended. "The government would find it much easier to function if Kadima were part of it. " One Shas official even said after the meeting that "we don’t want an extreme right-wing government, since aside from the ideological issue, it would not even be able to survive until the Knesset’s summer term. "Yishai also told reporters before the meeting that he favored a broad coalition, though he did not mention Kadima explicitly. AUDIO - Israel coalition: ’At least another week before a prime minister emerges’ Rory McCarthy, The Guardian 2/13/2009 Rory McCarthy reports on the coalition talks after the Israeli election. [end] Habayit Hayehudi wants broad government Amnon Meranda, YNetNews 2/13/2009 Religious party’s top three members meet with Likud Chairman Netanyahu, tell him they will recommend President Peres appoint him to form new coalition. ’We said we would like Kadima to be part of the government as well,’ says MK Orlev - After meeting with Shas, Yisrael Beiteinu and National Union members, Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu met Friday with representatives of the religious Habayit Hayehudi party which gained three mandates in Tuesday’s elections. Habayit Hayehudi Chairman Prof. Daniel Hershkovitz and his two comrades who will sit with him in Israel’s 18th Knesset, Zvulon Orlev and Uri Orbach, were expected to take part in the meeting. MK Orlev told Ynet after the meeting, "Netanyahu made it clear to us that we would be part of any government he forms. "We told him we would like Kadima to also be part of the next government, headed by Netanyahu, out of our concern And Chabad’s winner is... National Union Cnaan Liphshiz, Ha’aretz 2/13/2009 Unlike most Israelis, Jews in Brooklyn, New York, had been spared weeks of exposure to posters of Israeli parties and politicians. That is, until Sunday, when a small group of former Israelis put up dozens of election flyers for the Zionist, far-right National Union party all over the Chabad bastion of Crown Heights. The people who put up the posters told Yudi Zeitlin, who writes from New York for Chabad’s Internet site, that they sought to transmit "unity in the position of the Chabad community. " Chabad, which is one of Judaism’s largest ultra-Orthodox movements, had vehemently opposed Zionism until Israel’s establishment. It has since gradually warmed up to Zionism, but some currents within Chabad remain anti-Zionist. Prominent Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpo is a leader in Eretz Yisrael Shelanu (Our Land of Israel), one of four factions that make up National Union. Netanyahu holds best hand for PM’s office - analysts Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/13/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Hawkish Benjamin Netanyahu is running ahead of centrist Tzipi Livni in the fight to take Israel’s helm after an election whose shift to the right raised concerns over the future of peace talks, observers said on Thursday. "The chances of Livni forming a government amount to zero," said Avraham Diskin, a political scientist with Hebrew University in Occupied Jerusalem, a sentiment echoed in the media. Livni’s Kadima narrowly emerged as the top party in Tuesday’s election with 28 seats, but the foreign minister does not have the support needed for a governing coalition of at least 61 MPs in the 120-member Parliament. Netanyahu, a hawkish former premier whose Likud party won 27 seats, could count on a total of 65 seats with the backing of right-wing factions, which dominated the vote. Both Livni and Netanyahu claimed victory immediately after the cliffhanger election,. . . Israeli helicopters attack Khan Younis Ma’an News Agency 2/12/2009 Gaza – Ma’an/Agencies – An Israeli helicopter fired two missiles at a Palestinian security compound in the city of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip early on Thursday. The Hamas-affiliated de facto government compound was damaged, but no injuries were reported. The building had already come under fire during Israel’s three-week war on the Gaza Strip that left 1,373 Palestinians dead. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, saying that it was in response to mortars fired from Gaza into Israel on Wednesday. According to Israel, three mortar rounds were fired into the Eshkol Regional Council area, east of the Gaza Strip Wednesday. The first mortar was fired at around 3 pm, and was followed by two others shortly before 7 pm. On Tuesday, Palestinian fighters launched a homemade projectile into the desert east of Gaza just before polls closed in Israel’s national election. IDF strikes Hamas post in south Gaza, after ’day’ of mortar fire Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 Israeli warplanes on late Wednesday night struck a Hamas post in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis. An Israel Defense Forces spokesman said that the strike before dawn Thursday came in response to mortar fire Wednesday on the western Negev. There were no reports of casualties in the attack. "As the sole authority in the Gaza Strip, Hamas bears full responsibility for all terror activities originating within its area of control," the IDF said. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired two mortar shells at the western Negev over the course of Wednesday, a day after Israel held general elections, the results of which are likely to influence any future peace deal in the region. A Qassam rocket fired by Gaza militants exploded late Tuesday evening in an open field near the western Negev city of Sderot, just half an hour before the polls were to close. Fatah fighters warn Israeli election could spark escalation Ma’an News Agency 2/12/2009 Gaza – Ma’an – A Fatah-aligned Palestinian armed group in Gaza warned that the Israeli elections could trigger an escalation in Israeli-Palestinian violence. The Palestinian Eagles organization said in a statement received by Ma’an, ”what dominates the Israelis is discrimination and the coming days will witness an escalation in the situation. ”Israel’s national election cast uncertainty on indirect talks with the armed factions in Gaza regarding a proposed 18-month truce. The ruling Hamas movement said on Monday that the fate of the ceasefire would hinge on the outcome of the elections, in which right-wing candidates dominates. The group also called on Palestinian factions to unite, arguing that “without Palestinian unity all talks regarding the truce will fail,” adding that a truce with Israel should include an end to the blockade of Gaza. Israel Must Meet International Obligations: Fayyad Reuters, MIFTAH 2/12/2009 The Palestinian Authority said Wednesday the next Israeli government should meet international obligations to continue with peace talks. " Regardless of the form of government that will emerge. . . we have the same expectations," Prime Minister of the self-rule Palestinian Authority Salam Fayyad told reporters. " We imagine that the expectations of the international community (toward Israel) will be the same as ours. " Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and Tzipi Livni’s centrist Kadima party both claimed victory late on Tuesday night after a tight election result. But the bloc of right-wing parties appeared to have secured a majority, including Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party which surged into third place on anti-Arab rhetoric. " Steps have to be taken to end the occupation that began in 1967. This should mean immediate implementation of key provisions and obligations that the government of Israel had assumed previously," Fayyad said. Egypt invites Palestinian factions to hold national dialog Palestinian Information Center 2/12/2009 CAIRO, (PIC)-- Egypt has extended invitations to all Palestinian factions to meet in Cairo on 22/2/2009 so as to discuss the formation of the five committees, which they have agreed upon, and nature of their work. The invitation said that Cairo asks general secretaries of all Palestinian factions or their representatives to attend the meeting in Cairo to discuss formation of those committees, which would later meet to discuss a document of national consensus ending the internal Palestinian rift. The committees are slated to meet starting on Saturday 28/2/2009 for three days to conclude the national concord document. The invitation proposed that all factions would meet in the committee concerned with the PLO while Fatah and Hamas along with other five agreed upon factions would join in each of the other committees dealing with the government, security apparatuses, elections and internal conciliation. High-powered Hamas team in Cairo to discuss Gaza truce Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/13/2009 CAIRO: A senior Hamas team led by the Islamist movement’s deputy leader Mussa Abu Marzuk held talks with Egyptian mediators on Thursday aimed at bolstering ceasefires in the Gaza Strip. The delegation is the highest-ranking Hamas team to hold talks in Cairo since Egypt began mediating for a lasting truce after Israel’s devastating three-week war on the Gaza Strip. The two sides each declared ceasefires which ended the Israeli offensive on the Hamas-ruled territory on January 18-19 but they have been tested by Israeli air strikes and sporadic Palestinian rocket attacks. Since the end of the war, Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman has met a number of times with Israeli and Hamas officials to try to bolster the fragile calm. Hamas is demanding that Israel end the punishing blockade it imposed on Gaza after the Islamists won legislative elections in 2006. With election over, Israel’s leaders focus on Shalit Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 The results of the Knesset elections allow two of the three senior Israeli leaders to focus on their final task before their tenure ends: returning Gilad Shalit home. What was obvious for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who did not run in this election, may also be true for Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Most analysts argue that the election results will remove Barak from the Defense Ministry and put him on the Knesset’s opposition benches. In his television address Tuesday night after the results were announced, Barak (and Kadima leader Tzipi Livni) made sure to mention Israel’s obligation to bring Shalit home. This is a position he has reiterated publicly in recent months. Behind closed doors it is being voiced with even greater urgency. Barak believes that the Shalit case must be quickly brought to a close,. . . Erekat: Boycott any Future Israeli Government that Rejects Two State Solution Palestine Media Center 2/12/2009 The international community should shun any Israeli government that rejects the two-state solution, argued chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Wednesday. Erekat was making reference to the oft-cited conditions applied by the international Quartet on the Middle East (a grouping of the US, UN, EU, and Russia) in reference to Palestinian governments. The Quartet chose to boycott the Hamas-led government that emerged from democratic elections in 2006. Israel’s national elections on Tuesday raised the possibility of a right-wing coalition. The charter of the mainstream rightist party Likud, which came in a close second in the election, calls for eternal Israeli dominion over all of its occupied territory. Erekat made these remarks during a meeting with US Consul General Jake Walles at Erekat’s office in Jericho. Erekat pledged to the Americans that the Palestinian side is nonetheless committed to peace and to the peace process. Marginal standing Nurit Wurgaft, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 A few immigrants from Ethiopia were standing together at the side of the road on election day, confused. "I cast my first vote in Israel and you want to write about that in the newspaper? "asked Brano Mulualem, who came here two years ago. Apparently, the election only marginally impacted the lives of Mulualem and others residing in the country’s largest absorption center, in Mevasseret in Jerusalem. "The politicians did not come here," said Almaio Marsha. "What would they have gained from it? "How could I explain that ever since the state’s founding, politicians have usually invested much effort in courting new immigrants, trying to secure their votes. Indeed, one Kadima MK in the previous Knesset was of Ethiopian origin, and in the 1996 elections, the Labor Party assigned a realistic slot to an Ethiopian immigrant, so he could represent his community. Call Livni or Netanyahu? Go With Peres Analysis by Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler, Inter Press Service 2/13/2009 JERUSALEM, Feb 13(IPS) - Who wins a tie? That was U. S. President Barack Obama’s dilemma Wednesday on whom to congratulate as the winner of Israel’s general election. Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni both continue to claim victory. The outcome of Tuesday’s election was indeed almost a tie - in terms of votes and in seats won. This was confirmed when the final results were announced Thursday evening: Livni’s Kadima 28, Netanyahu’s Likud 27. The final results do not alter Israel’s political make-up that was already determined by the voting which showed a major surge to the right - to Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud and its allies further to the right. That means, most probably, Netanyahu alone can form a viable coalition. So, the scramble to win the right to form a coalition looks oddly like the election campaign itself is simply continuing. Israeli elections: Kadima emerges with most seats Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, David Batty and agencies, The Guardian 2/12/2009 Final results in Israel’s general elections were announced today, confirming that the centrist Kadima party of the foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, won only one seat more than Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. With military and overseas ballots counted,Kadima had 28 seats - far short of the 61 needed to govern alone. Likud won 27 seats, while the far-right Israel Our Home party won 15 seats, making its leader, Avigdor Lieberman, a likely kingmaker. The final results, which include the votes of several thousand soldiers and Israelis living abroad, were unchanged from the preliminary results. As Israeli leaders tried to break out of their political deadlock, a senior figure in Livni’s Kadima party said today that it would not join an extreme rightwing government led by Netanyahu. Livni is struggling to form a majority coalition that would see her become only the second female prime minister in Israel’s history. Rival leaders court the ’kingmaker of the right’ Donald Macintyre in Jerusalem, The Independent 2/12/2009 Lieberman wooed as horse-trading begins, while Netanyahu takes pole position in race to lead coalition - Both claiming to have won Israel’s general election, foreign minister Tzipi Livni and Likud opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday each began intensive efforts to court the hard-right populist Avigdor Lieberman as a coalition partner. Mr Lieberman has emerged as one of the main beneficiaries of Tuesday’s vote, with a probable 15 seats and considerable power to make or break each leader’s chances of forming a government. He met each of them in Jerusalem yesterday, without committing to either. His apparent indispensability casts serious doubt on whether any government capable of negotiating a peace deal with the Palestinians can emerge from the current political imbroglio. His support is indispensable especially to Ms Livni, who faces a much tougher battle to form a workable government, despite her impressive personal showing in keeping the centrist Kadima party intact. Haredi parties join forces against Lieberman Ronen Medzini, YNetNews 2/12/2009 Shas, United Torah Judaism leaders to meet Thursday in bid to form obstructive bloc against Yisrael Beiteinu ahead of coalition talks. Their demands: Maintaining Israel’s Jewish identity, guaranteeing budgets for ultra-Orthodox sector - Leaders of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism and Shas parties were expected to meet Thursday in a bid to form an obstructive bloc against the Yisrael Beiteinu party ahead of the coalition talks with the Likud. Together, the two parties have 16 Knesset seats (Shas’ 11 and UTJ’s five), one more seat than Avigdor Lieberman’s party gained in Tuesday’s elections. Shas Chairman Eli Yishai was asked about the issue by Ynet during a faction meeting at the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry. He replied, "We are working in cooperation and coordination with the United Torah Judaism party, in a bid to be partners in a stable government based on the basic guidelines which we shared in the past. " Wary Netanyahu in Driving Seat Analysis by Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler, Inter Press Service 2/12/2009 JERUSALEM, Feb 11 (IPS) - Israel’s foreign minister Tzipi Livni clung precariously to a narrow lead over her right-wing rival Benjamin Netanyahu as vote counting neared conclusion from Israel’s Tuesday general election. Both would-be prime ministers continue to claim victory: "I won," read the headline of the country’s biggest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronot, alongside the photos of the two. Some pundits predict Israel is plunging into political gridlock. But, while there is almost total parity in terms both of votes cast and Knesset seats won, in reality there are not two winners. One man is fairly firmly in the driving seat - Netanyahu, though his Likud has garnered only 27 seats compared to Kadima’s 28 in the 120-seat Knesset. Most ballots had been counted by Wednesday morning, but final results will not be known until Thursday afternoon when soldiers’ votes and other absentee ballots are included. Livni wins Israel final vote tally Al Jazeera 2/12/2009 Final results from Israel’s election have kept the Kadima party, led by Tzipi Livni, with a slight lead over Benyamin Netanyahu’s Likud. The official results, released on Thursday after all votes were counted, gave Kadima 28 seats in the 120-member parliament and Likud 27 seats. These figures were in line with preliminary results released after Tuesday’s election, which also gave most of the remaining seats to rightist parties. The majority of the remaining seats went to other parties of the right, with the hard-right Yisrael Beitenu of Avidgor Lieberman taking 15 and Labor slipped into fourth place with 13 seats. Israel’s election commission released the final results after counting votes by soldiers, prisoners and diplomats, about 100,000 out of a total of 3. 3 million cast. The additional votes did not change the allocation of seats in the parliament tallied after the election. ’I explain - I don’t apologize’ Lily Galili, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 American political consultant Arthur Finkelstein, who advised Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu in his 1996 campaign for prime minister, was wrong. According to the in-depth polls he conducted four days before this week’s election, on behalf of Yisrael Beiteinu, the party was going to garner 18 Knesset seats. On Wednesday, when Finkelstein (who is recovering from heart surgery) was off crowning kings in Eastern European, his partner George Birnbaum had to explain why the results were lower than the forecasts. In the United States, Finkelstein’s services would available only to Republicans. In Israel, it’s the right wing as whole that’s eligible to employ his partner, who immigrated here in 2000 and is married to an Israeli. Like Finkelstein, Birnbaum has his limits: He would not work with Labor leader Ehud Barak, although he would have worked with Ariel Sharon’s Kadima party - but not Tzipi Livni’s Kadima. Yet-uncounted soldiers’ votes expected to create Kadima-Likud tie Shahar Ilan, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in Israel The results of Tuesday’s election will be finalized Thursday after the votes of Israel Defense Forces soldiers are tallied. These additional ballots could nab Yisrael Beiteinu or the Likud party another Knesset seat, which would put Likud and Kadima on equal standing in terms of Knesset representation. Knesset seats are allocated after a party’s votes are divided by 120, the number of parliament seats. About 28,000 votes are required per seat. Parties must garner at least 2 percent of the vote to be represented in parliament. The party closest to approaching the 2 percent minimum, the Green Movement-Meimad, is not expected to make the cut, as it would need more than 40,000 additional votes. Excess voting arrangements allow parties with more than the necessary minimum to enter parliament, but less than the votes needed to nab an extra seat, to allocate "excess" votes to an allied party. Rightist MK: Election results show Israelis agree with Rabbi Kahane Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 National Union MK Rabbi Dr. Michael Ben-Ari on Thursday said the recent election results prove that Israelis agree with the extreme right-wing views of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane. Ben-Ari was recently quoted as calling himself a Kahane disciple, declaring that Israeli Arabs should be expelled to places like Venezuela and Turkey. He was also quoted as saying that IDF soldiers were obligated to refuse orders to evacuate settlements. "Rabbi Kahane made long inroads and I think the Israeli public in these elections gave an unequivocal answer as to where it is turning," said Ben-Ari in an interview with Army Radio. Ben-Ari confirmed reports that claimed he will employ far-rightists Baruch Marzel and Itamar Ben-Gvir as his assistants in the Knesset, calling them great lovers of Israel. Ben-Ari also told Army Radio that he would be happy to serve as Interior Security Minister. Israel’s tricky electoral arithmetic The Independent 2/12/2009 There is good news and bad news from the Israeli elections. The good news is that, despite leading in the opinion polls for several weeks, the right-wing Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, was pipped at the post by thecentrist Kadima party, led by the former foreign minister, Tzipi Livni. There is, as Ms Livni said when she claimed victory, still a moderate centre in Israeli politics. There is still a quorum that favours continuing the peace process. It is true that Kadima emerged as the largest party by the narrowest of margins -- just one Knesset seat -- but it defied early forecasts of defeat. The rest of the news, alas, is less good. One reason why Likud may have been deprived of its expected victory was the strong performance of Avigdor Lieberman’s ultra-nationalist party, Yisrael Beiteinu. Between them, these two parties comecloser to having the necessary 61 seats to form a government than Kadima and Ehud Barak’s Labour. Extremism Dominates Israeli Polls Mel Frykberg, Inter Press Service 2/12/2009 RAMALLAH, Feb 12(IPS) - "The peace process is based on three false basic assumptions," said Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Israel’s extreme right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party, which will dictate the formation and political course of the next Israeli government. "These include the assertion that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the main cause of instability in the Middle East, that the conflict is territorial and not ideological, and that the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders will end the conflict. " Lieberman’s politics and ideology fly in the face of international law, various UN Security Council resolutions, the basis of all Israeli peace agreements with the Palestinians, moderate Israelis, and the U. S. government. Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu emerged from Tuesday’s Israeli elections the big winner even though it came in third behind. . . Lieberman seeks finance or foreign affairs Lilach Weissman, Globes Online 2/12/2009 Histadrut chairman Ofer Eini: I extend my hand to Netanyahu for dialogue. Israel Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, may demand the Finance portfolio in any coalition agreement. Political sources believe the party will demand the Finance or Foreign Affairs portfolio for Lieberman, a senior economic portfolio for Stas Misezhnikov Housing or Industry, Trade and Labor the Tourism portfolio for Yitzhak Aharonovitch, a security portfolio for Uzi Landau, and the Justice portfolio to remain with Daniel Friedman. The party may also seek the Interior portfolio. While Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima leader Tzipi Livni vie for Lieberman’s support, Misezhnikov, who heads Israel Beiteinu’s coalition negotiations team, told "Globes" today that his party did not rule out the possibility of recommending Lieberman to the president as the most suitable candidate for prime minister. Lieberman may recommend - Lieberman for PM Globes' correspondent, Globes Online 2/12/2009 The Yisrael Beiteinu chairman: Our position is clear, and I know exactly what I’m going to tell President Shimon Peres. "We haven’t yet decided. We’ve only just begun to negotiate with the two candidates, and both are worthy," Yisrael Beiteinu chief negotiator MK Stas Misezhnikov told “IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal) today. He added, "We can recommend Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman as our candidate for prime minister. " Lieberman told the "Voice of Israel" today, "Our position is clear, and I know exactly what I’m going to tell President Shimon Peres. We’ll wait six days before stating who we’ll recommend. I think that it’s premature, and there’s no point in saying now who we support. " Lieberman added, "I’ve met with both [Kadima chairwoman Tzipi] Livni and [Likud chairman Benjamin] Netanyahu, as well as other people in. . . Final Distribution of Knesset seats Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 2/12/2009 Following are the final results of Knesset seat numbers each party won in the Israeli elections held on February 10. The Kadima party achieved a slight majority over the Likud party with 28 seats to 27. The results brought to surface the extremist Yisrael Beteinu party as a top candidate for coalition. The following numbers are the number of seats for each party and the number of seats garnered in the previous elections. -Kadima party, headed by Tzipi Livni; 28 seats, previous elections 29. -Likud party, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu; 27 seats, previous elections 12. -Yisrael Beteinu Party, headed by Avigdor Lieberman, 15 seats, previous elections 11. -Labor party, headed by Ehud Barak, 13 seats, previous elections 19. -Shas party, 11 seats, previous elections 12. -Yahdout Ha-torah, 5 seats, previous elections 6. Yesha Council revels in Lieberman’s success Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 2/12/2009 ’Elections proved consensus regarding two-state solution nothing more than corrupt spin,’ settler leader says, adding Yisrael Beiteinu chairman ’will be one of the strongest supporters of the settlement enterprise’ -Despite the inconclusive results of Tuesday’s general elections, it is clear that the political Right will have a majority in the 18th Knesset, leading Yesha Council head Danny Dayan to say that Israeli voters made "an obvious and unequivocal ideological decision. " Speaking to Ynet Thursday, Dayan said "for years we’ve been hearing of a consensus within the Israeli public regarding the two-state solution and the need for the establishment of a Palestinian state, but the recent elections have proven this to be nothing more than a corrupt spin. "Voter’s ChoiceDruze in Golan vote Lieberman out of ’protest’ / Hagai Einav Yisrael. . . Obama officials ’despair’ as poll outcome puts focus on US-Israeli links Ewen MacAskill in Washington, The Guardian 2/12/2009 Obama administration yesterday looked in despair at the Israeli election results, seeing their hopes for peace in the region fast receding. In public US officials adopted a neutral stance, but in private there is regret that the elections proved inconclusive, with divisions and deadlock on the Palestinian side now replicated on the Israeli side. Professor Paul Scham, a specialist in Israeli-Palestinian affairs at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, said he found it difficult to find any basis for optimism. "Maybe Obama can put it together, but the pieces do not seem to be there. " The election result complicates the review of Middle East policy under way in the US state department. Among questions up for discussion are the closeness of the US to Israel and whether that will undercut Obama’s overtures to Iran and, potentially, Syria, and relations in general with Arab countries. Masri: Lieberman’s talk about eliminating Hamas is part of Israelis’ illusions Palestinian Information Center 2/12/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- MP Mushir Al-Masri, the secretary-general of the Hamas parliamentary bloc, said that the statements of Zionist right-winger Avigdor Lieberman about the elimination of the Hamas Movement are part of the illusions which the Zionist leaders and parties live in. In a press statement, MP Masri added that Israel sapped all its military and political options during its war on the Gaza Strip and failed to topple Hamas, which became the strongest popular, political movement in the region. The lawmaker underscored that such statements raise the popular rallying around the option of resistance and is considered an implicit recognition that the Zionists have been defeated by the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their resistance during their aggression on Gaza. Masri affirmed that the results of the Israeli elections proved beyond any doubt that the Zionist. . . Noam Shalit tells Blair: This may be last chance to free my son Yair Ettinger Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 Noam Shalit, the father of captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, met on Thursday with the Quartet’s envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair. Following the meeting, Shalit refused to comment on the recent reports of significant progress on a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas involving his son. He did note, however, that Israel has been given a window of opportunity that may not present itself in the future. Shalit said Blair did not give any promises on the matter though he did say that he would continue to make determined efforts to bring about Gilad’s release. Shalit noted that he asked Blair to exert his influence in helping to clinch a deal "in addition to the pressure that the Quartet puts on Israel to take steps towards the Palestinians in Gaza. "As such, the Knesset elections results are likely to advance a prisoner exchange deal. Pensioners Party, Green-Meimad fall short of Knesset Shahar Ilan, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 The Green Movement-Meimad and the Pensioners Party failed to pass the vote percentage threshold and will not be represented in the next Knesset. The Pensioners Party received a mere 0. 5 percent of the vote, while Meimad, which formerly ran as part of Labor’s list, received 0. 8 percent. Ephraim Sneh broke off from the Labor Party to try to establish the anti-crime party, Strong Israel. Pundits believe that most of centrist and left wing voters, from which the bulk of these two parties’ supporters came, went to Kadima chair Tzipi Livni, while the fighting in Gaza rendered them irrelevant. Meimad leader Michael Melchior, one of the outgoing Knesset’s prominent members, could not find a larger faction to join this election campaign and ran on a joint list with the Green Movement. Flash in the pan - Despite the list’s high-profile Internet campaign, it failed to garner a sufficient number of votes. Religious Zionism lost Yehudah Glick, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 We lost these elections and we lost big. We, the religious and Torah-observant public in Israel, lost. We, the national religious public, lost. We the religious Zionists, lost. We lost because we were not smart enough to unite. The parties attacked one another; and the man on the street is really not interested in who or what is responsible for the divide, Uri Ariel, Yaakov Amidror or the politics of Zevulun Orlev. We lost because we were perceived as irrelevant. Habayit Hayehudi did not manage to generate the customary public search for a traditional Zionist home; and the National Union did not manage to present itself as an alternative to the large group of lovers of the Land of Israel, who do not pray in the synagogues of Ofra and Beit El. We lost because we could not manage to force the Likud party to place Moshe Feiglin and Effi Eitam in respectable slots among senior party members. Suspect in bribe probe turns out for Lieberman celebration Jonathan Lis and Lily Galili, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 Israeli businessman Michael Chernoy showed his support last night for his good friend Avigdor Lieberman, whose nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party finished third in Tuesday’s Knesset elections. Relations between Chernoy and Lieberman have been a focus of a police investigation into Lieberman since he entered Israeli public life at the end of the 1990s. "I am happy for my friend and hope that his new team will change the country for everyone’s benefit," Chernoy told Haaretz, adding that he himself had no political aspirations. Recently, in the probe into Lieberman, the police investigated whether Chernoy played a role directing funds to companies suspected of money laundering. They also investigated alleged transfers of bribes to Lieberman. A Haaretz investigation revealed that in May 2001, three months after Lieberman’s appointment as national infrastructure. . . Major reforms are unlikely, but electoral threshold could be raised Shahar Ilan, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 Experience teaches that it is very difficult to legislate even small changes to the Israeli electoral system, not to mention a major upheaval. So if an agreement can be reached on electoral reform, it will not be over something so dramatic as switching to a presidential system, but rather over relatively minor tweaks: raising the minimum vote threshold, preventing MKs from serving on the cabinet and vice versa, and raising the bar for dissolving the government. It bears remembering that the new coalition is likely to include small parties, such as United Torah Judaism, that fear any change to the system. When politicians or academics talk about electoral reform, they are talking about many different things, often totally unrelated. They might mean changing the form of government, or the form of elections (like a switch to geographic-based representation). Financial advisors prefer Netanyahu as finance minister Roee Bergman, Globes Online 2/12/2009 A survey showed 84% of respondents preferred a Likud candidate to run the ministry. An SMS survey of hundreds of financial advisors byMeitav Investment House Ltd. found that they strongly prefer Likud chairman MK Benjamin Netanyahu as minister of finance. Two days after the election, it appears that Netanyahu will be asked to form the next government, although the task will be far from easy. Regardless of whether Netanyahu or if Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni becomes prime minister, one of the first orders of business in the current circumstances will be the appointment of a finance minister, given the global economic crisis and its impact on Israel. Meitav asked financial advisors which of four candidates they would prefer as minister of finance: current Minister of Finance Ronnie Bar-On, Meir Sheetrit of Kadima, Netanyahu and. . . Parties jack up coalition price Zvi Zrahiya, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 The new coalition is almost certain to cost an extra NIS 2 billion to NIS 3 billion a year as parties - Shas, Yisrael Beiteinu and United Torah Judaism - extort budgets in exchange for joining the government. Knesset sources project that regardless of whether Kadima leader Tzipi Livni or Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu builds the government, he or she will have to accede to the parties’ demands in order to create a stable coalition, however sorry Israel’s economic condition. In October 2008 Livni elected to brave elections rather than succumb to the demands of Shas. But the religious party isn’t going to relent on any of its demands, Shas sources insist. Shas is demanding an extra NIS 1. 5 billion for child allowances. In September Livni agreed to NIS 800 million, no more, and NIS 150 million for other purposes. Final election results: Kadima 28 seats, Likud 27, Yisrael Beiteinu 15 Shahar Ilan , and Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in Israel Members of Israel’s central elections committee said on Thursday the apportionment of Knesset seats would remain as is following the final tally of Israel Defense Forces soldiers’ ballots. Kadima led by Tzipi Livni captured the largest number of Knesset seats - 28 - edging the Likud’s 27 seats. Yisrael Beiteinu made history on Tuesday, becoming the third-largest party in the Knesset with 15 seats. The Labor Party finished with a disappointing 13 seats; Shas with 11; United Torah Judaism won six seats; the National Union captured 4; United Arab List - Ta’al - 4; Hadash - 4; Meretz - 3; Balad - 3; and Bayit Hayehudi ("The Jewish Home") - 3. The results of Tuesday’s election were finalized Thursday after the votes of IDF soldiers were tallied. Merrill Lynch sees Likud in charge Tal Levy, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 The general election on Tuesday may have failed to produce a decisive majority, but Merrill Lynch has decided who’ll be forming the next government. And it isn’t Tzipi Livni, who led Kadima to a narrow victory, seat-wise. Analysts Haim Israel and Micha Goldberg think that the Likud will be building the next coalition, but that itwon’t last long. "The coalition is likely to include as many as six or even more parties, once again making it fragile," they wrote, elaborating that the government will therefore be vulnerable to minority demands. The two describe the Israeli electoral system and balance of power among the parties. They also cover several possible government coalitions, but stress that whoever winds up building a government, all of the parties have about the same economic platform. Likud blasts Kadima’s victory declaration as ’pathetic’ Politico, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in IsraelWhoever thought that the announcement of the final election results would put an end to the bickering over which party emerged the winner - and which should form the next governing coalition - was mistaken. After tallying the ballots cast by soldiers, the physically challenged, and diplomats from abroad, the central election committee confirmed that the apportionment of Knesset seats would remain as was announced on election night. " Tonight the campaign led by Bibi (nickname of Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu) and the wheeler-dealers of the Likud aimed at stealing power and the will of the voter in Israel must come to an end," read a statement released by Kadima minutes after the official results were announced. Kadima: Netanyahu’s campaign to ’steal’ the government must end Jpost.com Staff, Jerusalem Post 2/12/2009 In light of the final election results presented on Thursday evening, according to which Kadima received 28 mandates while Likud followed with 27 mandates, Kadima urder Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu to stop trying to ’steal’ the government. "This evening, the campaign led by [Likud chairman Binyamin] Netanyahu and the Likud to steal the government of Israel must come to an end," the party said in a statement. It is now clear that Kadima won the elections, and as it is the biggest party, Netanyahu must accept Kadima’s offer to join a national unity government led by Tzipi Livni, the party said. Mohammad Khatami criticizes rival Ahmadinejad over Iran’s isolation The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 The top reformist candidate in Iran’s presidential race has criticized hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over the country’s international isolation. The comments were the first by Mohammad Khatami about the president since Khatami entered the race last weekend. They signaled that his campaign will likely focus on Iranians’ worries that Ahmadinejad’s fiery anti-Western rhetoric has worsened the country’s status in the world at a time when Iran is suffering economic woes. Khatami, a liberal cleric who was president from 1997-2005, told a group of his supporters that the current situation in the country is not desirable, according to Khatami’s Web site. Khatami warned at the meeting late Wednesday that if the situation continues, the country’s social capital and international reputation will be damaged even more. VIDEO - WATCH: Israeli TV show depicts Lieberman as Darth Vader-esque dictator Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 Anticipating a massive surge for far-right party Yisrael Beiteinu, Israel’s popular satire TV show Eretz Nehederet (Wonderful Country) took aim at party leader Avigdor Lieberman on Tuesday night. Aired before the results were announced, the show depicts Lieberman as a dictatorial-style leader, whose entrance is accompanied by heavyset bodyguards and fierce looking dogs, and the Darth Vader music theme from the Star Wars movies. Following translation of the clip is courtesy of blogger and journalistLisa Goldman: The clip starts with Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima chair Tzipi Livni claiming that each won the election. In identical speeches delivered simultaneously, both urge President Shimon Peres to give him/her the first crack at forming a government. Fanatic emerges as kingmaker after razor-thin Israeli election Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/12/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and hawkish ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu were locked in a battle for power on Wednesday after a photo-finish election that could send peace talks into limbo. Livni’s centrist Kadima party won 28 seats in the 120-member parliament, just one ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud party, leaving the country facing perhaps weeks of political uncertainty. An overall lurch to the right has made it more likely that Netanyahu will return to the nation’s most powerful post, but Livni immediately started coalition talks, meeting on Wednesday with ultra-nationalist Israel Beitenu chieftain Avigdor Lieberman. "This is an opportunity for unity that can promote issues that are important for our two parties. They agreed to continue their contacts," Livni’s office said after the meeting with Lieberman, who has emerged as a kingmaker after the vote. Palestinian Killed by Israeli Troops Gulf News, MIFTAH 2/11/2009 Dubai: On the eve of Israeli parliamentary elections, a Palestinian fighter belonging to Islamic Jihad was killed by Israeli troops in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hannoun. The fighter was on a mission to attack Israeli patrol on the border with Israel, according to Islamic Jihad. Earlier in the day, Israel carried out air strikes on a building used by Hamas police, with no casualties reported. The air strikes came in response to continued rocket fire from Hamas on Sunday. Palestinian foreign minister Riad Malki accused Hamas of fostering instability in the region ahead of the Israeli vote. According to Malki, the Palestinian Authority - which is at odds with Hamas - is particularly worried that the attacks will push Israeli voters to vote for a candidate who is against peace with the Palestinians. Final opinion polls placed the the hawkish Likud party ahead of the centrist Kadima party by a few seats. Israeli rivals Livni and Netanyahu try to woo small parties after inconclusive poll Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 2/11/2009 Centrist leader meets far-right’s Lieberman in attempt to form coalition. - Israel’s two contenders for power, Tzipi Livni and her rightwing rival Binyamin Netanyahu, were locked in talks with smaller parties today , each trying to forge enough support to emerge at the head of a new coalition government. Livni, the foreign minister and head of the centrist Kadima party, came out of yesterday’s general elections just one seat ahead of Netanyahu, the Likud leader, with nearly all the votes counted. But Livni only becomes prime minister if she can stitch together a majority coalition, and most analysts said that, given the combined strength of the rightwing parties, she faced an uphill struggle. The rightwing and religious Jewish parties won around 65 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, with the centrist, leftwing and Arab Israeli parties falling several seats short of a combined majority. Israeli leaders battle for power Alex Sehmer in Tel Aviv, Al Jazeera 2/11/2009 Tzipi Livni, Israel’s foreign minister and leader of the Kadima party, has narrowly won the closely fought election race, but the real political battle is only just beginning as negotiations get under way on forming a ruling coalition. Kadima won the biggest number of parliamentary seats, just one ahead of Likud, but as observers had predicted, the Israeli political scene moved to the right in this election. Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu, made the biggest gains and Likud remains hopeful of uniting the right-wing parties. Even as projections indicated that Kadima would come out on top, Likud supporters at the party’s election headquarters erupted into cheers of "Bibi! Bibi!" believing that their leader, Benyamin Netanyahu, will be the next prime minister. Under the Israeli electoral system, once the results are in, Shimon Peres, the president, will ask the person deemed most likely to be able to cobble together a coalition, to form a government. Race for Avigdor Lieberman’s hand underway Lilach Weissman, Globes Online 2/11/2009 Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni are courting the leader of the third largest party, who holds the key to forming a coalition. After the inconclusive results of Israel’s general election yesterday, the race to win Avigdor Lieberman’s support has begun. Kadima leader Tzipi Livni and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu both began determinedly courting the Israel Beiteinu chairman, each seeking to persuade him to join a government under his or her leadership. Although Israel Beiteinu won only 15 seats, fewer than had been predicted, Lieberman still heads the third largest party in the new Knesset, and he is the one who will determine whether Livni can form a coalition or whether only Netanyahu can do so. Since the election results are not yet final, the party leaders cannot begin coalition negotiations officially, but Livni and Netanyahu each engaged in a round of talks and meetings,. . . Israeli Analyst: Without Lieberman, Livni has no Government George Rishmawi, International Middle East Media Center News 2/11/2009 An Israeli political analyst expected a Livni-Lieberman coalition in order for the second expected female, prime minister of Israel to form a government. Tzipi Livni, who managed in the last miniute to win over Benjamin Netanyahu who was top on most of the polls prior to the elections, made a major victory. At least three parties are needed to make the 61 minimum seats in the Knesset in order to form a government. Therefore, groups like Lieberman’s Yesrael Beteinu who won 15 seats and Shass who won 11 seats will have an important weight in the coalition talks. Livni was appointed 13 years ago, by Netanyahu as head of the Israel Government Companies Authority. According to analys Yossi Verter of Haaretz, even with Lieberman Livni would need other parties to in order to form a government. Netanyahu on the other hand, has better chances to form a government as coalition with. . . Arab MK Tibi: Israel must engage in self-examination after Lieberman’s ’monstrous rise’ Yoav Stern, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 In the wake of Tuesday’s exit poll results, Arab MK Ahmed Tibi said that Israel’s Jewish population must engage in a process of self-examination, after what he called "the monstrous rise of Lieberman and Yisrael Beiteinu. " Exit polls by Israel’s three main television stations on Tuesday night showed Kadima as the leader in the 2009 general elections, with Likud coming a narrow second and Yisrael Beiteinu coming in as the third largest party, with 15 seats. Tibi said that his party Ra’am Ta’al, like other Arab parties, will not support any one candidate for the prime minister’s post. Hadash MK Mohammed Barakeh said his party was satisfied with Tuesday’s election results. "We will spearhead the struggle against racism," said Barakeh from his Nazareth office. "We are encouraged, but we have a significant job ahead of us fighting against Liebermanism and Kahanism. " Akiva Eldar / Why did Meretz fare so poorly in the elections? Akiva Eldar, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 Just a few weeks ago, recently appointed party chairman Haim Oron rebuked the detractors of the decision to incorporate new faces - Nitzan Horowitz, Talia Sasson and Tzali Reshef - among the party’s top ten candidates. He said with unremitting conviction that the creation of New Movement-Meretz would win the party at least another three seats. Meretz was not in the coalition, and therefore could not be blamed for the government’s shortcomings. It fulfilled its role as a small opposition party decently, and even more than that. But the more dovish circles among the traditional voters accused the party of betraying its basic principles in supporting the Second Lebanon War of 2006 and Operation Cast Lead in Gaza last month. Traditional Meretz voters are unforgiving of indecisiveness and cannot disregard unnecessary wars. Some of these hardcore voters, thus, supported the even more left-wing bi-national party Hadash. Livni, Netanyahu both claim the people’s mandate Globes correspondent, Globes Online 2/11/2009 With almost all votes counted, Tzipi Livni’s Kadima has the most Knesset seats, but the right-wing block will be dominant. With 99. 7% of the votes in Israel’s general election counted, it emerges that Kadima has a narrow lead over Likud. Kadima has 28 of the 120 Knesset seats, Likud 27, Israel Beiteinu 15, Labor 13, Shas 11, United Torah Judaism 5, National Union 4, Ra’am-Ta’al 4, Hadash 4, Meretz 3, Balad 3, Habayit Hayehudi 3. The uncounted votes are mostly those of ballot boxes from army bases, so that, on the basis of voting patterns in previous elections, there is a slight chance that Likud could take one more seat. Both Kadima leader Tzipi Livni and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu have claimed victory in the election. "The people have decided Kadima. All that remains is to form a broad government under my leadership," Livni declared. Success of rightist bloc may propel Netanyahu into PM’s chair Haaretz Staff and News Agencies, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 With a clear advantage to the rightist bloc in Israel’s national elections Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu could well end up as the next prime minister, regardless of whether his Likud party won the most votes or came second to centrist Kadima and Tzipi Livni. Late Tuesday night, Netanyahu began contacts with several right-wing parties, including Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu. By law, the president must consult with all the parties as to who they prefer as prime minister, and whoever is recommended by more Knesset members is given the nod. Hence if the religious and rightist parties all recommend Netanyahu, he would get first crack at forming a government. In terms of blocs, all three TV exit polls predicted a rightist bloc of 63 or 64 seats out in the 120-strong Knesset, compared to 57 or 56 for the leftist bloc. Arab parties won’t back Livni YNetNews 2/11/2009 Hadash,United Arab List-Ta’al and Balad feel they have preserve their relative power in Knesset; All say will sit in opposition because no gov’t will represent their vision -Arab parties in Israel expresses satisfaction that they had more of less kept a hold of their relative power in the Knesset in this election. Exit polls commissioned by Ynet and conducted by Rafi Smith indicate thatHadash has increased its influence to five mandates, United Arab List-Ta’al won four mandates, while Balad has not yet crossed the requisite threshold to obtain Knesset representation. Hadash Chairman MK Mohammad Barakeh said he was "very happy" with the results, as per Tuesday night’s exit polls, and expressed hope that the actual results would be even greater. "However, even if it’s not, this is still serious progress," he said. Israeli rivals fight for power after tight vote Patrick Moser - JERUSALEM, Middle East Online 2/11/2009 Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and hawkish ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu were locked in a battle for power on Wednesday after a photo-finish election that could send peace talks into limbo. Livni’s centrist Kadima party won 28 seats in the 120-member parliament, just one ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud party, leaving the country facing perhaps weeks of political uncertainty. An overall lurch to the right has made it more likely that Netanyahu will return to the nation’s most powerful post, but Livni immediately started coalition talks, meeting on Wednesday with ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman. "This is an opportunity for unity that can promote issues that are important for our two parties. They agreed to continue their contacts," Livni’s office said after the meeting with the Yisrael Beitenu leader, who has emerged as a kingmaker after Tuesday’s vote. Q & A: After the Israeli election, who will form government? Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 2/11/2009 With no clear winner in the national polls, how will the next government be constituted? - What happens next in Israeli politics? Already the two leading political parties, Tzipi Livni’s Kadima and Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud, are assessing how strong their support is. Both leaders say they want to become prime minister and to lead large coalition governments. Negotiations are under way behind the scenes. Surely the largest party wins? Not necessarily. Israel’s election system is based on proportional representation to elect party lists. With 99% of votes counted, Livni is one seat ahead of Netanyahu. But neither has anything like a majority. So far the rightwing parties have won 65 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, meaning that Netanyahu would probably find it easier to form a coalition. The centre-left parties have only 55 seats, leaving them some way short of a majority. For the sake of peace, Labor and Kadima must merge Aluf Benn, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 The desired outcome of the election is for Kadima and Labor to merge and work together as a single cooperative faction in the 18th Knesset. There is two-faceted logic to them working together: It would mean the construction of a 40-seat bloc that would serve as a central axis for any potential coalition, and would return a measure of stability to the political system currently split between medium-sized parties. There is no ideological difference between Labor and Kadima that could be a stumbling block to the merge. Both represent combinations of diplomatic restraint and offensive security policies. Their time together in Olmert’s Kadima-led government was typified by agreement on the majority of basic issues and differences of opinion mainly centered around personal differences between Olmert and Barak, not ideology. The merge would bolster those who support a two-state solution with the Palestinians and a peace agreement with Syria, and would hurt the right-wing MKs that would seek to block any such deal. A toxic force rises in Israel Jonathan Freedland, The Guardian 2/11/2009 The search for silver linings in the murky cloud of yesterday’s Israeli election requires a great effort of the will. There is not much to go on. You could draw comfort from the fact that Likud’s Bibi Netanyahu, who thought he was such a dead cert to win a matter of weeks ago, was rejected, albeit narrowly, in favour of the woman he so consistently patronised, Tzipi Livni of Kadima. Or you might take solace in the notion that the near tie between Bibi and Tzipi would most easily be resolved by the pair rotating the premiership between them, each taking a two-year turn, following the precedent set by Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Shamir after they fought each other to a dead heat in 1984. The virtue of such an arrangement could be the exclusion of the ultra-nationalist hardman Avigdor Lieberman, whose Israel Beytenu – Israel our Home – party surged to third place on Tuesday. Battle for Israel as Netanyahu claims power despite party loss By Donald Macintyre in Jerusalem, The Independent 2/11/2009 Exit polls show Livni’s party ahead but facing struggle to form government - Benjamin Netanyahu triggered a convulsive power struggle for the leadership of Israel last night by claiming the right to be Prime Minister despite election exit polls predicting that Tzipi Livni’s Kadima party would be the biggest in the Israeli parliament. All three TV channels reported Ms Livni had won a surprise personal victory by coming from behind in a knife-edge contest to secure two more seats in yesterday’s election than the right-wing Likud opposition led by Mr Netanyahu, who is bidding to return to the office he held from 1996-99. Mr Netanyahu’s determination to lead his country again was based on results from the same polls predicting that strengthened right-wing bloc in the Knesset would command up to 65 seats compared with a maximum of 57 on the centre and left from where Ms Livni would draw to form a coalition. Israel opens Gaza crossings after election day closure Ma’an News Agency 2/11/2009 Gaza – Ma’an – After closing the Gaza Strip’s borders on election day, Israel reopened the borders to allow shipments of humanitarian aid and commercial goods into the territory. A Palestinian border official in Gaza, Ra’ed Fattouh, explained that Israel opened the Kerem Shalom crossing, allowing 86 truckloads of goods to enter including 30 trucks for UNRWA, 22 for the World Food Program, 10 truckloads from Egypt, 3 for the Red Cross and two from the World Health Organization and one truckload for the organization Amira. Fattouh told Ma’an that 70 trucks are scheduled to enter through Karni crossing carrying wheat and animal feed. In addition, 500,000 liters of European-donated industrial diesel will be pumped through the Nahal Oz terminal destined for the Gaza power plant. Israel reopens three Gaza crossings Rami Almeghari & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 2/11/2009 Israel announced on Wednesday that three Gaza commercial crossings will be reopened for humanitarian purposes. The decision came today, after these crossings were closed on the eve of Israeli elections on Tuesday. The Palestinian side announced that the Karem Abu Salem, or Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza, was reopened today , allowing the entry of 86 trucks, including 30 belonging to the UNRWA, 22 trucks belonging to the WFP, 18 trucks from Jordanian assistance, 10 trucks from Egyptian assistance, three trucks from the ICRC and two other trucks belonging to the ANIRA International Organization. Raed Fatouh, of the Palestinian side, said that 70 trucks of wheat and fodder, as well as 150,000 gallons of crude fuel will be entering later today through crossings in eastern Gaza. IOA seals off Jerusalem during elections, extremist Jews desecrate the Aqsa Palestinian Information Center 2/11/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- The Israeli occupation authority on Tuesday sealed off the occupied city of Jerusalem and deployed thousands of police and military elements in the city and at main junctions leading to it alleging it was prompted by the elections. Movement of Palestinian Jerusalemites in the city were monitored and to some extent restricted, especially at checkpoints. Exploiting the hermitic closure of the sacred city and restriction of Palestinian movement there, Israeli fanatic groups sneaked into the Aqsa Mosque desecrating it and chanting racist and religious slogans loudly. The provocative practices of those settlers irked Palestinian worshippers inside the mosque, prompting them to block those settlers before Israeli occupation police and soldiers rushed to rescue the settlers. Two Palestinian worshippers Ahmed Hamoud and Fahmi Abbas were arrested by the police,. . . Violence Breaks Quiet of Cease-Fire on Eve of Israel’s National Election Ibrahim Barzak, MIFTAH 2/11/2009 GAZA CITY - Israeli aircraft struck two targets in the Gaza Strip and a Gaza militant died in a clash with troops on the border yesterday, as an official of the moderate Palestinian government accused Hamas of trying to boost hawkish candidates in Israel’s election. The violence on the eve of the vote occurred as Egyptian mediators continued their efforts to cement a long-term cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, after the three weeks of intense fighting that racked the coastal territory last month. Israel’s military said the two air strikes early in the day targeted militant positions and were a response to rocket fire from Gaza aimed at southern Israel on Sunday. The military also said soldiers spotted an armed militant trying to sneak into Israel from Gaza overnight and opened fire, after which a bomb belt the man was wearing detonated. Gaza mortar shells strike western Negev; no casualties Anshel Pfeffer, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired four mortar shells at the western Negev during the course of the day Wednesday, a day after Israel held general elections, the results of which are likely to influence any future peace deal in the region. A Qassam rocket fired by Gaza militants exploded late Tuesday evening in an open field near the western Negev city of Sderot, just half an hour before the polls were to close. Also Tuesday night, someone opened fire on a car with Israeli license plates near the settlement of Beit El in the West Bank. No injuries were reported in the incident. Security personnel who examined the scene of the shooting found 17 bullet shells on the ground. Nearly 40 Qassam rockets, mortar shells, and Grad missiles have been fired at Israel since a shaky cease-fire with Hamas took effect over two weeks ago, according to the Israel Defense Forces. White House: Mideast peace process uncertain Natasha Mozgovaya, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 Israeli elections signal a strong democracy but until a new prime minister is named, it is unclear what the results mean for peace in the Mideast, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Wednesday. Gibbs added that U. S. President Barack Obama looks forward to working with the next prime minister of the U. S. ally. A few thousand soldiers’ votes remained uncounted following Tuesday’s general Israeli elections. After 99% of the votes were tallied, the centrist party Kadima emerged in the lead, but only barely, with one Knesset seat more than the right-wing Likud Party, who won 27 out of 120 Knesset seats. Though Kadima won more seats, the right-wing bloc gained a substantial majority of the seats, leaving Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu in a better position than Kadima leader Tzipi Livni to recruit a 61-majority to form a stable coalition. Barhoum: Hamas officials possibly in truce talks Ma’an News Agency 2/11/2009 Gaza – Ma’an – Hamas leaders may arrive in Cairo on Tuesday for further talks regarding a proposed truce with Israel, a Hamas spokesperson said. Spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said that Hamas leaders may meet with Egyptian intelligence chief Umar Suleiman to hear Israel’s clarifications of a proposal for an 18-month ceasefire. Barhoum told Ma’an that Hamas will only agree to a truce if the movement judges that the agreement is in keeping with Palestinian national ambitions. On Tuesday Hamas representative in Lebanon Usama Hamdan told reporters that the face of the proposed truce would depend on the outcome of Israel’s elections. With the vote now counted, the elections yielded an ambiguous result, with two candidates claiming victory. Four Palestinian factions discuss Palestinian unity, ceasefire in Gaza Ma’an News Agency 2/11/2009 Gaza – Ma’an – Representatives of Fatah, the PFLP, DFLP and the Palestinian People’s Party held a meeting in Gaza City and discussed a proposed ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening. The meetings, which also tackeled the issue of Palestinian national unity talks scheduled to begin in Cairo on 22 February, was part of a coordination effort prior to the Cairo talks, senior DFLP leader Talal Abu Dharifa told Ma’an. He asserted that the four factions expressed their own views on the Egyptian proposal for a Palestinian unity governmentAmong the comments made at the meeting, it was suggested that parliamentary elections should be based on proportional representation, and that committees formed to oversee the transition to a new government “should have legitimate reference. ” Arab researcher appointed to head Middle East studies dept. Ofri Ilani, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 For the first time in the history of Israel’s academy, an Arab lecturer, Dr. Mahmoud Yazbak, was elected president of the Middle East & Islamic Studies Association of Israel (MEISAI), the main association of researchers of the Middle East and Islam in Israel. The election brings to an end a long period during which Arabs did not hold key university positions in Israel in the field of Middle East studies. Yazbak, a lecturer at Haifa University, specializes in Palestinian social history. He will replace the outgoing president, Dr. Dror Ze’evi, of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. In most universities in the west, Arabs and Muslims occupy senior positions in departments of Middle East studies. But since the state’s establishment, Arabs and Muslims were never well placed in departments researching Arabs and Islam in Israeli universities. Fayyad: PA will make ‘pragmatic’ demands of any Israeli government Ma’an News Agency 2/11/2009 Ramallah – Ma’an – The Palestinian Authority will make practical, tangible demands of any Israeli government that emerges from Tuesday’s election, the caretaker Palestinian prime minister in Ramallah, Salam Fayyad said on Wednesday. “There are just merits they must fulfill immediately such as halting settlement construction in Jerusalem; changing Israel’s security policy which means stepping back to 28 September 2000 locations, ending the siege on the Gaza Strip and removing military checkpoints in the West Bank,” said Fayyad. Fayyad made these comments as rival Israeli politicians scrambled to muster the support they need to form a ruling coalition. Israel’s foreign minister, Tzipi Livni came in first place in an election which was dominated by the right wing. Livni is the leader of Kadima, a party considered more centrist than the rival Likud. Abbas says he is ready to make 'peace' with any Israeli government Palestinian Information Center 2/11/2009 WARSAW, (PIC)-- Former PA chief and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas has expressed readiness to pursue peace negotiations with any Israeli occupation government produced by the elections. Abbas’s announcement came while blood of Palestinian children and innocent civilians that was shed by the Israeli war machine was still visible in the streets of Gaza Strip. In a press statement he made from the Polish capital Warsaw on Monday, Abbas said, "I don’t know who will win the elections in Israel, but we will cooperate with any Israeli government produced by those elections based on the bilateral agreements and international resolutions issued till now". "We expect the new Israeli government to halt construction and expansion of settlements (in the West Bank)"¦if they don’t stop those activities I wonder what would happen to the peace process"¦ I want Israel to fulfill all its obligations,. . . Erekat: Quartet should shun an Israeli government that rejects two state solution Ma’an News Agency 2/11/2009 Jericho – Ma’an – The international community should shun any Israeli government that rejects the two-state solution, argued chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Wednesday. Erekat was making reference to the oft-cited conditions applied by the international Quartet on the Middle East (a grouping of the US, UN, EU, and Russia) in reference to Palestinian governments. The Quartet chose to boycott the Hamas-led government that emerged from democratic elections in 2006. Israel’s national elections on Tuesday raised the possibility of a right-wing coalition. The charter of the mainstream rightist party Likud, which came in a close second in the election, calls for eternal Israeli dominion over all of its occupied territory. Erekat made these remarks during a meeting with US Consul General Jake Walles at Erekat’s office in Jericho. Palestinians gloomy as Israel moves right YNetNews 2/11/2009 Palestinian Authority officials express concerns over Right’s apparent majority in next government, say no matter who leads it, Israel must meet international obligations -Palestinians reacted gloomily to Israeli election results on Wednesday, as the likelihood rose of a more right-wing government opposed to returning land for a Palestinian state. But the self-rule Palestinian Authority said the next Israeli cabinet would be obliged to continue peace talks and meet international obligations. "The ascent of the Israeli Right does not worry us," President Mahmoud Abbas told Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper. "In whatever form, the government, once in power, will ultimately end up with responsibility, pragmatism prevailing. "Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and Tzipi Livni’s centrist. Hamas: Israeli elections produced three heads of 'terrorism' Palestinian Information Center 2/11/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- The Hamas Movement said on Tuesday that primary results of the Israeli elections have showed that three Israeli heads of "terrorism" were gaining ground in the Israeli arena. Spokesman of Hamas Movement in Gaza Strip Fawzi Barhoum stressed that Hamas will remain steadfast and firm on the national constants and aspirations of the Palestinian people regardless of who would rule in the Hebrew state. Three Israeli fanatic parties, Kadima of Tzipi Livni, the Likud of Binyamin Netanyahu, Yisrael Beiteinu of the ultra-rightist figure Avigdor Lieberman, reaped most of the seats in the Israeli Knesset (parliament). In a press statement he made Tuesday night in reaction to the elections, Barhoum pointed out that the Israeli community has chosen the most "extremist, the terrorist, and blood-thirsty figures and war-mongers to rule them". Gazans apathetic about elections DPA, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 GAZA - Residents of the battered Gaza Strip, still recovering from Israel’s military offensive in January, did not follow yesterday’s elections closely, making do only with what they heard on news reports. As far as they are concerned, there is no difference between the two front-runners, the centrist Kadima party, headed by Tzipi Livni, and the hardline Likud, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu. "Livni and Netanyahu are two sides of the same coin," said Abdel Qader al-Shamali, a Palestinian store owner, who was watching the Israeli vote on television. For Elham Assaker, a 23-year-old student, while Israel’s left-wing, centrist and right-wing parties have "different and conflicting platforms, they all share a common goal - drawing Palestinian blood. "She predicted that the direct result of the election would be a new Israeli offensive in Gaza, to prevent a cease-fire. . . Hamdan: The win of Kadima reflects the tendency of the Zionist community Palestinian Information Center 2/11/2009 BEIRUT, (PIC)-- Osama Hamdan, the representative of the Hamas Movement in Lebanon, stated that the win of the right-wing Kadima party in the Knesset elections reflected that the Zionist community is right-wing oriented, adding that this tendency would undoubtedly leave its impact on the entire future of the political process. In a statement to Quds Press, Hamdan said that the declared results of the Israeli election were not a surprise to Hamas, highlighting that these results constitute a message to the illusioned, who bet on the peace process, that they have to deal with the Zionist right-wing. For his part, Dr. Ismail Radwan, a prominent Hamas leader, underlined Wednesday that his Movement does not care about who would be the winner in Israeli elections because it considers all the Zionist parties "murderers" trying to score victories through the shedding of Palestinian blood. Salon Radio: Dr. Mustafa Barghouti on Israeli elections Glenn Greenwald, Salon.com, Palestine Monitor 2/11/2009 Glenn Greenwald: My guest today on Salon Radio is Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, who was a former candidate for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority in 2005, finishing second to the ultimate winner, Mahmoud Abbas. He’s also held various positions in the Palestinian Authority and is a physician as well. Dr. Barghouti, thanks so much for joining me today. Mustafa Barghouti: Thank you. It’s nice to talk to you. GG: The Israelis are holding a national election tomorrow, and most polls, if not all, predict that the winner of the election will be Likud, or at the very least, that the next prime minister of Israel will be Benjamin Netanyahu. You’re a long-time advocate of a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians; what do you see as the implications for a Netanyahu victory in terms of Israeli-Palestinian relations? MB: Well, unfortunately, I must say that the election of. . . Palestinian media pessimistic after Israel vote Middle East Online 2/11/2009 JERUSALEM - Palestinian media voiced concerns on Wednesday over the future of the already teetering Middle East Peace process after Israel shifted to the right in parliamentary elections. "Diplomatic activity in general and the peace process in particular will be frozen," said Al-Quds, the main daily in the Palestinian territories. With most votes from Tuesday’s election counted, the hawkish Likud party was one parliamentary seat behind the centrist Kadima but appeared in a better position to form a government coalition. And the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party could play the role of kingmaker after placing third. "There will be a continuation of the political paralysis that has characterised the government of (Prime Minister) Ehud Olmert since the (2006) Lebanon war, and all the Arab and international initiatives will be shelved for the time being," said Al-Quds. Palestinians expect little change under any Israeli coalition Ma’an News Agency 2/11/2009 Bethlehem - Ma’an - Palestinians are unfazed by what many analysts are calling an Israeli election catastrophe which saw the majority of votes go to a smattering of right wing and orthodox political parties. The results, Kadima 28, Likud 27, Labor 13, Yisrael Beiteinu 15, Religious parties 18, Arab candidates 13, Meretz 3 and the National Union 3, mean Kadima will have first shot at putting together a coalition. Though the final outcome of the election and now coalition building will determine whether or not the Israeli government will continue with peace talks, settlement construction and the siege on Gaza, Palestinians see little change regardless of the ruling coalition. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has said he will continue peace negotiations with whatever coalition is built, told Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper that "In whatever form, the [Israeli ]government,. . . Arabs: Israeli election ’victory for extremism’ Charles Onians - CAIRO, Middle East Online 2/11/2009 Arab newspapers and analysts voiced pessimism about Israel’s indecisive election on Wednesday, with many voicing fears that the real winner was the extreme-right wing party of Avigdor Lieberman. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni’s Kadima won 28 seats in the 120-seat parliament, well short of a majority, and just one seat more than hawkish ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party amid a resurgence of the right. "How is it possible that a society aspiring to peace can give a fascist like this such broad support, giving him the possibility of one day becoming prime minister of Israel? "Egypt’s state-owned Al-Ahram daily wrote of Lieberman. Opinions of Netanyahu, who has campaigned as a security hardliner pledging to topple the Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip, little better. "For those who don’t know him, Benjamin Netanyahu feels the Arabs only understand the language of violence," Egypt’s state-owned Al-Gomhuriya wrote. Islamic Jihad: The Israeli elections reflect more hostility towards the Arabs Palestinian Information Center 2/11/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- The Islamic Jihad Movement said that the results of the Israeli elections reflected that extremism of the Zionist community increased towards the Palestinian people in particular and all Arabs in general, calling on both the Palestinians and Arabs to settle their internal issues in order to be able to confront the coming challenges. Sheikh Nafedh Azzam, a senior Islamic Jihad leader, underscored that the election of Kadima was an expression of more hostility towards the Palestinian people and the Arab and Islamic world, and also bore out that the existing Israeli policy of denying the Palestinian cause and rights would continue. Sheikh Azzam also warned of portraying the labor party as if it was going to achieve something regarding the peace process if it had won the elections because the labor party did not respect its obligations and pledges stipulated in the agreements signed with the PA when it was in power. Jordan hopes new Israeli government will halt settlement construction Ynet, YNetNews 2/11/2009 FM Bashir says Amman will use its good relations with Israel for the good of the Palestinian people, to promote regional peace. Abbas aide: We’ll present clear demands to new prime minister -In response to the inconclusive results of Tuesday’s general elections in Israel, Jordanian Foreign Minister Salah Bashir said Amman hopes the next Israeli government will be committed to conducting "serious and efficient" negotiations with the Palestinians. Bashir was quoted by the Petra news agency as saying Wednesday that the Hashemite Kingdom also hoped the new government in Jerusalem would halt settlement construction in the West Bank and Jerusalem, which, according to him, is a prerequisite for a comprehensive peace agreement based on a two-state solution. The top Jordanian diplomat said his government would use its good relations with Israel for the good of the Palestinian people and to promote regional peace. Palestinian officials on Knesset results: Israeli society tends toward extremism and violence Amin Abu Wardeh, Palestine News Network 2/11/2009 PNN exclusive - With the announcement of the results of the Israeli Knesset elections the Palestinian street did not show significant interest in the winner. Palestinian pundits, political forces and theorists are filling the airwaves but much of the public is not watching. The people who are do not register a difference in the effects on their lives as the occupied population. Forty-two year old Jamal Imran said he did not follow the Israeli elections at all. "There is no difference between one party and the others. They are all part of a march of murder against our people. "Dr. Sa’eb Erekat, the head of negotiations in the Palestine Liberation Organization, commented, "Israeli voters did not vote for peace. " Kayed al-Ghoul said, "Israeli voters chose extremism at a time when Arabs are promoting peace. "Political analyst Hani Al Masri said the Palestinian street is particularly Arabs fear rise of hard-right in Israel Associated Press, YNetNews 2/11/2009 Arab world fears rise of Israeli right will impede peace process with Palestinians, put more pressure on US President Barack Obama. Former Egyptian ambassador to Israel predicts Netanyahu to lead government, says coalition with extreme right will send peace talks back to square one - Arabs on Wednesday saw little hope for peace from whatever government emerges from Israel’s inconclusive elections, and they expressed fears over the rising power of Israel’s far right. With the prospect of a hard-line Israeli government, some in the region said any progress in Arab-Israeli negotiations will now rely even more on pressure from President Barack Obama, who has said his administration will take an active role in pursuing a Mideast peace. "Everybody knows that peace is in the hands of the Americans, and that the US Iis capable of practicing pressures on any given government," said Saudi Netanyahu: No Return of Golan Heights to Syria Asharq Alawsat, MIFTAH 2/11/2009 JERUSALEM, (AP) – Benjamin Netanyahu, the front-runner in polls ahead of Israel’s election this week, declared Sunday he would not give up the strategic Golan Heights for peace with Syria, an apparent attempt to toughen his right-wing credentials after a last-minute charge by a hardline party. Israelis go to the polls Tuesday after one of the calmest campaigns in the nation’s history, despite the vital issues facing Israel — war, peace, terrorism and economic recession. The electorate has appeared fatigued after Israel’s three-week offensive against Gaza’s Hamas rulers last month. Netanyahu has been leading in the polls since shortly after the Feb. 10 election was called in November, but his lead has been shrinking in recent weeks as another hawkish party, Yisrael Beitenu, or "Israel is our home," surges with its campaign against Israel’s minority Arab citizens. Peres, Obama discuss ’successful’ general elections Jpost.com Staff, Jerusalem Post 2/11/2009 US President Barack Obama called President Shimon Peres on Wednesday night, and praised Tuesday’s "successful democratic elections. " During their conversation, the two leaders discussed Israel’s system of forming a government, and Peres outlined the legal process involved. Obama wished Peres luck, and said that though the process appeared complicated, he was confident it would prove successful. [end] Victory for the block vote Petra Marquardt-Bigman, The Guardian 2/11/2009 In an election that featured more than 30 parties competing for votes, it’s perhaps only fitting if the three parties that come out on top all declare a victory of sorts: Kadima leader Tzipi Livni based her claim of victory on the fact that her party managed to emerge as the strongest party, narrowly beating the Likud by one mandate. But Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu saw no reason to concede defeat: he claimed – rightly (pun intended) – that the "nationalist camp" won a big victory over the left, and that he was therefore the party leader entitled to be charged by the president with the task of forming a new government. And then there was the leader of the third-strongest party: Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beitenu, who noted with great satisfaction that his party with its 15 seats was holding the key to the formation of Israel’s next government. Likud officials reject rotating coalition power with Kadima Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 Likud officials on Wednesday rejected the possibility of rotating coalition authority between party leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni, after a tight election race left the two parties practically neck-to-neck. Israel last saw a rotating coalition in 1984 under the leadership of Yitzhak Shamir and Shimon Peres, and Kadima on Tuesday proposed the same arrangement for the coming government. Likud members, however, said there was no chance of such an agreement considering that the right-wing bloc carried 65 seats compared to only 55 for the center-left. " There won’t be a rotation," MK Silvan Shalom told Army Radio on Wednesday. "That method is chosen when there is a 60-60 balance between the blocs, and that just is not the case now ? the victory is clear. Surface squabbles, underlying unity Jonathan Spyer, The Guardian 2/11/2009 With the final count nearly complete, it is now possible to draw some tentative conclusions regarding the 2009 Israeli elections. The coalition arithmetic remains painfully complex. It is impossible presently to predict with certainty what type of government will finally emerge from the frantic alliance-building efforts now being undertaken by Kadima leader Tzipi Livni and Likud’s Binyamin Netanyahu. Both leaders declared themselves the victor at rival rallies last night. However, some more substantive trends may already be gleaned from the figures. First, the elections represented a very significant defeat for the traditional Israeli left. Between them, parties representing the historic Israeli left now command only 16 seats in the 120-member Knesset (13 for the Labour party, and three for the Meretz list). Israeli party loyalties have become fluid. Israeli elections: time for a re-run? Uri Dromi, The Guardian 2/11/2009 Who will be the next prime minister of Israel? Surely Tzipi Livni, because she came out as the leader of the biggest party; or maybe Binyamin Netanyahu, because he can amass more Knesset members to support him; or wait – why not both, in rotation, in a national unity government? The only thing agreed upon by all, following Tuesday night’s confusion, is that a country like Israel, facing such awesome challenges, desperately needs an election system better than the present, flawed one. Raising the threshold will surely limit the number of parties in the Knesset and will enable the forming of more stable coalitions. Other measures will be needed to augment future governments, so that they will not be toppled so easily, and that prime ministers, instead of worrying only about their political survival, should be allowed, for a change, to govern. Rival Israeli parties claim victory Al Jazeera 2/11/2009 The leaders of the centrist Kadima party and the right-wing Likud party have both declared victory in Israel’s general election. With all the votes counted on Wednesday, the Kadima party led by Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister, had won 28 parliamentary seats, one more than the Likud party of Benyamin Netanyahu, a former prime minister. But it was the far right Yisrael Beiteinu party, led by Avigdor Lieberman, who campaigned on a platform to deny citizenship to Israeli Arabs he considers disloyal, that emerged as kingmaker with its strong showing. It won 15 seats in the 120-member Knesset, pushing the Labor party back into fourth place with just 13 seats, its worst ever election performance. Livni declared victory in the early hours of Wednesday, saying: "Today the people chose Kadima. "She appealed to rival Netanyahu to join a national unity government led by her. Akiva Eldar / What draws the masses in Israel to Kadima? Akiva Eldar, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in Israel The next line could have been written a while before the voting closed: Kadima is not merely a surprise, Kadima is a phenomenon. Three years ago, when its founder, Ariel Sharon, fell into a coma not long after creating it, some people predicted that it would disappear into the abyss of history. They said Ehud Olmert came to power by holding onto Sharon’s coattails. They explained that leaving the Gaza Strip and the relatively quiet evacuation of Gush Katif were what propelled Kadima to the top. Well, today, Tzipi Livni, a woman who only recently entered politics, has led Kadima wisely to the finals. She forced Benjamin Netanyahu, who only two weeks ago led in the polls, to sweat all the way to the ballot box. VIDEO - Israel is the loser The Guardian 2/11/2009 Jonathan Freedland on the aftermath of elections in Israel and how the party with the largest share of the vote could still end up on the losing side. VIDEO - Kadima and Likud claim victory in Israel poll The Guardian 2/11/2009 Israeli elections produce the tightest of races with early results putting Tzipi Livni only narrowly ahead of Binyamin Netanyahu. [end] VIDEO - ’This is the speech of a kingmaker’ The Guardian 2/11/2009 Jonathan Freedland goes to Avigdor Lieberman’s campaign party in Jerusalem to watch the Israeli election results come in. [end] Audio Report: The Israeli Elections 2009 Ghassan Bannoura - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center News 2/11/2009 With 99% of the votes counted, the Kadima party led by Tzipi Livni is leading the race after winning 28 out of 120 Knesset seats. The rival Likud party, headed by Benjamin Netanyah is only one seat behind, while the Labor party’s representation dropped to 13 seats. The Arab parties attracted similar support as the 2006 elections; they controlled 11 seats this year. The final results well be announced on Thursday afternoon, according to the Israeli elections committee The extremist right wing party Yisrael Beiteinu of Avigdor Lieberman managed to obtain 15 seats, and thus is expected to have a bigger influence of government coalitions. Michael Warchavsky, an Israeli political analyst, says that the elections outcomes were expected: "it was obvious if the currant discourse is a discourse of no compromise and brutality against Palestinians. . . " -- See also: Click on Link to download or play MP3 file Don’t expect to hear much more English in Knesset as most Anglos miss out again Raphael Ahren and Cnaan Liphshiz, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 Several native English-speakers sought to be elected to the Knesset in yesterday’s election, and United Torah Judaism’s Yaakov Litzman, who grew up in New York before he became one of Israel’s most powerful Anglo politicians and, was a lock to retain his seat as the first on his list. Nonetheless, exit polls show most new Anglos won’t make it past Knesset doors. Chicago-born Uri Bank, who holds the fifth spot on the National Union list, was the only new Anglo with a realistic chance of being elected. When voting stations closed last night, Bank’s voting station-tour had long passed its 15th stop. The 40-year-old politician, a resident of the West Bank settlement Neveh Daniel, had a compelling incentive. "I’m probably right on the cusp," he said in explaining at least part of his motivation. Netanyahu meets Lieberman in bid to feel out coalition deal Mazal Mualem Yair Ettinger and Lily Galili, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in IsraelFollowing an inconclusive election on Tuesday, Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu met with Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman in Jerusalem on Wednesday in efforts to forge a coalition deal that would pave Netanyahu’s path to the premier’s seat. Kadima won 28 of 120 Knesset seats in Tuesday’s vote, putting it narrowly ahead of the rightist Likud, which garnered 27 seats. The chairs of both Likud and Kadima claimed victory Tuesday night, each arguing the right to form and lead the next government. The two parties began intensive efforts Wednesday to form rival coalitions. Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beiteinu Party won 15 seats, is seen as the pivotal coalition partner, without whom neither party will be able to form a stable coalition. ANALYSIS / Israel’s new PM must stop the economic crisis before it burgeons Guy Rolnik, Ha’aretz 2/11/2009 Greetings to Israel’s next prime minister, the person who has to lead Israel through the economic crisis, which is gaining momentum as you read. We still don’t know who you are, even though the election is over. But it doesn’t matter. The economic challenges you face don’t depend on your identity, and in any case the economic platforms of the contenders was uniformly vague and, at some levels, indistinguishable. The American economy and financial system will dramatically affect local fortunes. The policy that U. S. President Barack Obama institutes over the weeks and months to come will shape the economic dialog in Israel and the rest of the world. Israel’s prime ministerial candidates would have liked to be Obama: he swept America and the rest of the world, promising change as the worst financial crisis since 1929 lashes at the globe. Merrill Lynch sees weaker shekel if Likud forms govt Globes correspondent, Globes Online 2/11/2009 Analysts Haim Israel and Micha Goldberg believe the next government is liable to be short-lived. After the indecisive result of yesterday’s general election in Israel, Merrill Lynch analysts Haim Israel and Micha Goldberg ask whether the country will not find itself going to the polls again within a couple of years. The Kadima party led by Tzipi Livni won the most Knesset seats, with 28, but Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, whose party won 27 seats, is believed to stand a greater chance of forming a coalition. Such a coalition, however, is liable to be short-lived, in Israel and Goldberg’s view. "With no clear majority, the coalition is likely to include as many as six or even more parties, once again making it fragile and founded on lots of minority demands," the analysts write. "It is just three years since the last elections, and. . . " The watchword: Fiscal discipline Avi Temkin, Globes Online 2/11/2009 The new government’s economic policy will be to ask Stanley Fischer what to do. Another Israeli election campaign has ended in which economic issues were pushed to the margins, even thought the local economy is at the start of a recession and the economic ground is burning under our feet. It is doubtful whether even a single voter took the economy and the parties’ stances on economic matters into account. However, the next government will serve for its first year or two in the shadow of the great economic crisis, of a recession, of a weakened financial system, and of growing unemployment. It is also possible that, at the same time, the government will run into clashes with the US administration, which will not add to the confidence of investors, Israeli or foreign. All these things are not immediate worries. Abbas: PA will cooperate with any Israeli government Ma’an News Agency 2/9/2009 Bethlehem– Ma’an/Agencies – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday that he is prepared to cooperate with any new Israeli government that emerges from Tuesday’s election. But he called on Israel to stop building new settlements in the occupied territories. "I don’t know who will win the elections, but we will cooperate with any new Israeli government emerging from the elections on the basis of the bilateral accords and the international resolutions which have been adopted up to this point," Abbas said at a joint press conference with Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski in Warsaw, according to AFP. "We also expect that the new Israeli government will stop installing new settlements. If the new government does not do this, I don’t know what will become of the peace process," Abbas said. "I call on Israel to meet its obligations, otherwise the entire world will. . . Palestinian FM: Hamas attacks tied to elections AP and Ali Waked, YNetNews 2/9/2009 Riad Malki suggests rockets continue to be launched from Gaza Strip as ’a way to interfere’ in Israeli vote, says Palestinian group ’wants instability in the region’. He also stresses PA willing to negotiate with new Israeli leadership - The Palestinian foreign minister accused Hamas on Monday of trying to influence the outcome of this week’s Israeli election, pointing to the continued Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel. Riad Malki said "Hamas wants instability in the region" and suggested rockets have continued to be launched from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip as "a way to interfere" in the Israeli vote. Israel carried out a bruising three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip last month in an attempt to halt years of rocket fire on southern Israeli communities. Israel and Hamas announced an informal truce on January 18, but two rockets struck southern Israel on Sunday. Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi MP: Recent opinion polls in Israel indicate a change and increase in the overall Israeli society of racism and hatred of Arabs and Palestinians Palestinian National Initiative, Palestine Monitor 2/9/2009 Ramallah, 09-02-09: Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi MP, the Secretary General of the , said today that recent opinion polls ahead of the Israeli elections show a clear shift in the Israeli society towards increased racism and hatred of Arabs and Palestinians. Said Dr. Barghouthi, "Lieberman is collecting more and more votes, and he says frankly what all Israeli leaders think but do not say: that there should not be a Palestinian state for the Palestinians, and that their existence must be temporary. " "The Israeli elections held tomorrow will no doubt confirm that a transformation has taken place in the Israeli society, and will confirm their extremist apartheid attitudes which are worse than even those that prevailed in South Africa. ""The barbaric and brutal behaviour of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip during the recent war reflected the degree of racial prejudice against all that is Palestinian", the Deputy continued. IDF confirms killing Islamic Jihad gunman in Gaza Anshel Pfeffer and The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 2/9/2009 An Islamic Jihad militant died in a clash with Israel Defense Forces troops and Israel Air Force jets struck two targets in Gaza early Monday as mediators tried to firm up a long-term Gaza cease-fire a day before Israelis go to the polls in a national election. Islamic Jihad said in a statement faxed to reporters that one of its fighters was killed overnight in an Israeli airstrike. The IDF said troops spotted an armed militant trying to cross the Gaza-Israel border late Sunday and opened fire, after which a bomb belt he was wearing detonated. Islamic Jihad had earlier said the man killed was on a mission to attack an Israeli patrol along the border with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, the Islamic Jihad group said. The IDF denied that tank fire or strikes of any kind were carried out around the time of the man’s death, and the circumstances of the incident remained unclear. West Bank closed on Israel’s election day Ma’an News Agency 2/9/2009 Bethlehem – Ma’an – The Israeli government order a closure of the West Bank beginning at Midnight on Monday for the Israeli general election day. According to an Israeli military spokesperson, the blockade, which was ordered for reasons of “security” will be in effect until midnight on Wednesday. The Israeli Civil Administration will authorize exceptions in certain cases, such as those in need of medical aid, the military spokesperson said. [end] Hamas official: Shalit and truce could be concluded after Israeli elections Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 2/9/2009 A senior Hamas official stated Sunday that he expects a truce with Israel could be declared after the Israeli elections this Tuesday, and that the issue of the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, would also be concluded, Maan News Agency reported. The official said that there are some points in the Israeli truce offer that need further clarification, especially issues regarding border terminals and the goods that would be allowed into Gaza, in addition to linking the issue of Shalit with opening border terminals. He added that indirect prisoner-swap talks witnessed "surprising developments" which could lead to ending this issue after the upcoming Israeli elections, Maan added. The official also stated that Hamas demands the release of detainees who were sentenced to high terms, and those who are accused of killing Israelis. PA: Hamas rockets are ’bid to sway Israeli election’ The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 2/9/2009 The Palestinian Authority foreign minister on Monday accused Hamas of trying to influence the outcome of Tuesday’s general election in Israel by keeping up the rocket fire on southern Israel. Riad Malki said Hamas did not want to see a pro-peace government elected in Israel during the parliamentary vote because it would pursue a political deal with the PA, dominated by its rival Fatah movement. On Sunday, two rockets struck southern Israel, violating an informal Israel-Hamas truce. Malki told reporters in Warsaw that the PA was very much worried that such attacks might really push Israeli public opinion and the voters to vote for an anti-peace government. The foreign minister’s comments came as polls suggested that Israel’s next government could indeed be more hawkish than the current coalition, with the hardline Yisrael Beiteinu Party projected to win more Knesset seats than the left-of-center Labor Party and the right-wing Likud party projected to the be the largest contingent in the Knesset. Time report: Hamas, Haneyya popularity soars in PA territories Palestinian Information Center 2/9/2009 RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- A report published by the wide-spread American Time magazine showed that the popularity of the PA prime minister Ismail Haneyya and Hamas Movement have soared in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in the aftermath of the Israeli war on Gaza. According to the magazine, the opinion survey was released last Thursday by an independent Palestinian polling organization, which it did not identify, and that Hamas Movement could easily beat Fatah faction and win any elections held these days. The report also confirmed that popularity of Fatah leader and former PA chief Mahmoud Abbas has sharply declined due to his "unpatriotic" stand during the Israeli war on Gaza. The magazine added that Abbas failed to condemn the Israeli military action against his people in Gaza Strip, and that he attempted to exploit the brutal Israeli war to "register points against Hamas", which. . . Survey: ’Only one in four Gazans supports Hamas’ Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/9/2009 [Consider the source: same outfit reported 22 percent support for Hamas shorty before its sweeping victory in 2006 elections - Ed. ] Only a quarter of the Palestinians in Gaza support Hamas, Army Radio reported Monday. According to the findings of a new poll conducted in Gaza by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, support in the ruling Hamas government has drastically gone down following the Israel Defense Forces offensive in the coastal strip. Only 28% of the Palestinians now say they support Hamas, compared to 51% who voiced their support for Hamas in November 2008. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ moderate Fatah party has seen a rise in favorability rate, with 42% of the Palestinians in Gaza now supporting Fatah, compared to 31% in November. Despite the findings of the poll, more than half of those questioned said they hold Israel responsible for the recent escalation in Gaza. -- See also: Election polls: Drop in Hamas support Last-gasp Labor efforts target vacillators, minorities Roni Singer-Heruti, Ha’aretz 2/9/2009 On the last day of the election campaign, the Labor Party intends to target voters who are deliberating between it and Kadima, and non-Jewish Israelis who might be inclined not to vote. To strengthen the party’s presence on the ground, activists yesterday stood at about 40 highway intersections around the country with election banners. So as not to mar the landscape, they attached the banners to their backs instead of hanging them up. Hundreds of thousands of people who voted Labor in the past, or have told pollsters they are considering supporting the party, will today receive a recorded telephone message urging them to vote from chairman Ehud Barak. Barak is due to visit Kibbutz Mishmar Hasharon, where he grew up and where he will participate in a ceremony for Tu Bishvat, the new year of the trees. Netanyahu says won’t name Lieberman defense minister if elected Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/9/2009 If Benjamin Netanyahu is tapped to form Israel’s next governing coalition, he will not appoint Yisrael Beiteinu chief Avigdor Lieberman as his defense minister, the Likud chairman told Channel 1 on Monday, just hours before Israelis go to the polls. Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in Israel"If I am elected, I will approach all the Zionist parties to join a coalition headed by the Likud," Netanyahu said. "We will take all these parties - Kadima, Labor, Yisrael Beiteinu. "Netanyahu added that he is not ready to commit to holding negotiations with the Syrians. "The Olmert government’s understandings with the Syrians do not obligate me," he said. "Rather, Israel’s security [obligates me]. "Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni said she too would seek to form a unity government if elected. Panel allows far-rightist Marzel to oversee Arab city poll Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/9/2009 The central elections committee on Monday unanimously rejected a request from Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to disqualify Baruch Marzel from serving as the chief supervisor of a voting station in the Arab town of Umm el-Fahm. Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in IsraelThe head of the committee, Supreme Court Justice Eliezer Rivlin, sent a bluntly worded missive to Mazuz in which he sharply criticized the manner in which the attorney general submitted the request. Mazuz said that Marzel’s presence in the city will harm the public order and the purity of the election process, and said that his request was based on information from security services and police. Mazuz’s suggestion that hundreds of police officers would be required to maintain order in the city is "an apocalyptic vision," Rivlin said. Ahrar Al-Jalil Brigades call on Palestinians in Israel to boycott Israeli elections Ma’an News Agency 2/9/2009 Jerusalem – Ma’an - The Ahrar Al-Jalil Brigades, an unknownand self-proclaimed Palestinian militant group based in Israel called on Palestinians inside Israel on Monday to boycott Israeli elections scheduled to take place Tuesday. The group said in a statement, “Participation in Knesset elections means approval and recognition of the legitimacy of this Zionist state which has been committing atrocities against our people. ”Commenting on statements made by Israeli Minister of National Infrastructure Benjamin Ben Eliezer, which anticipated an uprising from Palestinians inside Israel, the brigades said:“The uprising in Palestinian territories occupied in 1948 [Israel] began long ago, and leaders of Israel know that but they mislead their people. Not a single day passes without an event whether it is destruction in streets, or pelting stones or stabbing Israelis across the 1948 territories. Israel’s war vote Al Jazeera 2/9/2009 As soon as Israel concluded its military campaign in Gaza, the country launched itself into a political campaign for elections. Inevitably, the war has featured highly in that political campaign, with many parties competing for the security vote. Israel as a nation has shifted to the right and many people are disillusioned with a peace process that appears to be going nowhere. In a special programme Al Jazeera interviewed leading political figures, commentators and peace activists in Israel to guage opinions on the war ahead of the upcoming vote. Yuval Steinitz - Likud, chair of foreign affairs and defence committee. We think it [the war] was a golden opportunity not just to punish or to deter Hamas, but to put and end to an Iranian regime, an Iranian military outpost, that is growing on our southern border. For this aim we had to proceed and to take control Gaza and to destroy Hamas. Parties in last-ditch efforts to woo voters YNetNews 2/9/2009 Candidates use last day before Knesset elections to give last push to fight over every vote. Likud says shift to smaller right-wing parties halted, Kadima relying on young people and women, Labor infuriated over attempts to disregard party, while Lieberman plans visit to Western Wall - Millions of Israelis will be heading to polling stations across the country on Tuesday to decide on the composition of the 18th Knesset. In the last day left before the elections, all parties are engaged in last-ditch efforts to conquer voters’ hearts, or at least make them cast the right ballot. Kadima members remain optimistic, believing that the momentum is on their side. The last days’ slogan, "Only Tzipi will defeat Bibi," continued to stand out, and efforts were invested in encouraging the activists and voters and in organizing Election Day. The party’s main target is women and young people. Israelis prepare to go to the polls Al Jazeera 2/9/2009 Israelis are preparing to vote in a general election dominated by security concerns after Israel’s 22-day war on Gaza. Tuesday’s election is likely to see large gains for right-wing parties after the war and amid sporadic clashes between Israel and Hamas fighters. However, a record 20 per cent of voters remain undecided, with party leaders battling for every vote on Monday. The election has become a close-run contest between Kadima, which heads the current ruling coalition, and the opposition Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu. Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister and Kadima leader, insisted on Monday her party was best placed to achieve Israeli unity and that "victory is in reach". "If Kadima gets just one mandate more than Likud, we will be able to form a governing coalition as we are a centrist party that can bring together the right and the left," she said. The electoral system and the voter Moshe Arens, Ha’aretz 2/9/2009 No democracies are perfect, nor are their various electoral systems. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, and it would be a mistake to believe that somewhere out there an ideal system exists. Different electoral systems and systems of government are suited to the respective country’s interests. In Israel, a parliamentary democracy, the electoral system is one of proportional representation. In other words, each competing political party receives Knesset representation that closely matches the votes it receives in the election. The inevitable result is a large number of parties in the Knesset. It follows, therefore, that the government is then supported by a coalition of parties that command a majority in the Knesset. But the mechanics and dynamics of a coalition government make for instability, sometimes resulting in short-lived governments and frequent elections. Israeli elections: Livestation chat Al Jazeera 2/9/2009 Al Jazeera’s Jacky Rowland had a chat with viewers to discuss the Israeli elections on Livestation. Viewers can watch a live stream of Al Jazeera, participate in a chat or signu up for alerts using Livestation’s applicaion. Following is an edited transcript of the chat: GS: I really don’t think it matters who gets elected in Israel. They are all the same. Not interested in peace. They want the establishment of Greater Israel. In other words, it’s the same [expletive], different day. Jacky Rowland: That’s what many ordinary Israelis fear. More of the same. As for the labour party, they are suffering from disillusionment among Israelis about the peace process. It’s sad but true that Israelis don’t believe in peace in the way they used to; they fear it’s not possible. Labour was promoting the peace line - now they are promoting a "we’re into peace but we’re also tough on security line". ISRAEL: Many Candidates, No Leaders Analysis by Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler, Inter Press Service 2/9/2009 JERUSALEM, Feb 9(IPS) - Along the ironic lines of "Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum", the old Broadway musical about democracy in ancient times, something "funny" happened to Israelis on their way to the polling stations. They went to war. As a result, something weird is happening to Israeli democracy as the country goes to the polls on Tuesday. Israeli elections used to be known for their fiery nature, the explosive debates, the contrasting ideological credos of the competing parties, the ruckus of left-right rivalry, the no-holds-barred traditional confrontation between religious and secular. And beyond it all, existential questions which have challenged Israeli democracy since its inception 60 years ago: how to live with the Palestinians and how to make peace while guaranteeing the security of the state. Police on high alert ahead of Election Day YNetNews 2/9/2009 Some 16,000 officers prepare to deploy across country Tuesday in order to ensure safe, proper election proceedings - Security forces throughout Israel went on top alert Monday evening ahead of Election Day. Full closure will be imposed on the West Bank starting Monday night. Some 16,000 policemen and Border Guard officers, as well as about 2,500 volunteers and 4,500 security guards will be assigned to the 9,569 polling stations across the country on Tuesday. Security personnel will also deploy in crowded places, work to conduct traffic near polling stations and secure public figure’s visits in various places. The security establishment has seven specific warnings on plans to carry out terror attacks, which might include rocket fire, abductions, suicide bombings and shootings. Elections 2009 / Barak: I won’t be defense minister if Labor fails to near 20-seat mark Jonathan Lis, Ha’aretz 2/9/2009 Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in Israel Defense Minister and Labor chair Ehud Barak said Monday he will not be defense minister in the new government should his party plummet in Tuesday’s general election. "People tell me: ’You should be defense minister,’ but I want to say that I will not and could not be Israel’s defense minister if Labor doesn’t near the 20-seat mark," Barak said during a tree-planting ceremony in Kibbutz Mishmar Hasharon, where he grew up. Barak then addressed left-of-center voters, urging them not to cast their vote for Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni’s Kadima Party. "Only a strong Labor could be the answer to the right-wing bloc. Center- left people who vote for Kadima are taking a huge gamble," Barak said. A guide to the Israeli elections Al Jazeera 2/8/2009 Around 5. 3 million Israelis will be eligible to vote in the elections for the 18th Knesset (Israeli parliament) on February 10, 2009. All Israeli citizens over the age of 18, irrespective of their race and religion, have the right to vote. Similarly, every citizen aged 21 or older is eligible for election to the Knesset, provided they have no criminal record, do not hold an official position and have not specifically been prohibited by the courts to stand for election. Though the Knesset term is for four years, most of the 17 Knessets since 1948 have been unable to complete their terms because of the complexities of coalition politics and Israel’s unique election process. Proportional representation Israel’s political system is based on a single electoral constituency, whereby the whole country forms one constituency, and uses proportional representation to elect members of its parliament. ANALYSIS / Fatah fears Shalit deal will bring down Abbas Avi Issacharoff, Ha’aretz 2/9/2009 Concerned voices have been heard in the Muqata in Ramallah over the past few days: Senior Palestinian Authority and Fatah officials are speaking openly of the end of an era if an agreement to free abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is reached. Palestinian officials say a Shalit deal would bring about early elections in the territories, and Hamas would win again - but this time it would win the Palestinian presidential election, too. Israel would then be forced to deal with a Hamas-controlled Palestinian Authority in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip, they say. The latest poll from the Jerusalem Media and Communication Centre conducted in the territories shows the recent war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip afforded the Islamic organization unprecedented popularity. Sources: Israel agrees to release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in swap for Gil’ad Shalit Rami Almeghari, International Middle East Media Center News 2/8/2009 The London-based Alhayat Arabic newspaper reported on Sunday that Israel agreed to release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners a in swap of captured Israeli soldier Gil’ad Shalit, who was captured by the ruling Hamas party in Gaza in June of 2006. The paper quoted unnamed Palestinian sources as saying that a prisoner swap deal is likely to happen very soon, and that among those of the would-be released are prisoners with long-term sentences. Hamas insists that eight senior prisoners should be included in the list, such as Fatah leader in the West Bank, Marwan Barghouti and the secretary general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Ahmad Sa’dat, the paper added. Israel agreed to release Sa’adat but yet to agree to set free Barghouthi, while the Israeli coalition government is willing to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Palestinians before Tuesday, the date set for the elections. Islamic Jihad: Israeli threats on Gaza an election tactic Ma’an News Agency 2/8/2009 Bethlehem – Ma’an/Agencies – Islamic Jihad dismissed Israeli threats of another major strike on the Gaza Strip as “just part of the elections campaign. ". Abu Ahmad, the spokesperson of the movement’s armed wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, said in a statement sent to reporters that "these threats made by [Ehud] Barak and [Tzipi] Livni are not more than satisfying the Zionist electors. " As Egyptian and Turkish efforts to broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza Strip intensify, the Jewish state threatened to strike heavily in Gaza Strip if rockets continued to fall into its southern territories. But Abu Ahmed said all the Palestinian factions are ready to accept a ceasefire if their conditions are met, but ruled out any agreement longer than a year or 18 months. Israel broke a six-month ceasefire agreement with the ruling Hamas movement last year, and then launched. . . Barhoum: Hamas wants guarantees for implementation of what is agreed upon Palestinian Information Center 2/8/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, has underlined that his Movement’s delegation in Cairo was demanding guarantees to implement whatever is agreed upon regarding the calm agreement. He said in a press statement on Sunday that the delegates would listen to the Israeli reply to the queries tabled by Hamas to conclude a calm agreement. Barhoum pointed out that Hamas delegation asked for clarifications regarding the quantity and quality of goods to be allowed into Gaza, adding that Israel put the condition of retaining partial siege and controlling 30% of goods into the Strip. He attributed his Movement’s demand of guarantees to past experiences in which the Israeli occupation authority procrastinated on agreements and disavowed itself from them. Meanwhile, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad Movement, the Quds Brigades, on Sunday opined that Israeli threats to invade Gaza anew were mere election propaganda. Olmert formally endorses Livni YNetNews 2/8/2009 Outgoing prime minister, in first formal endorsement, backs colleague from his Kadima party. Meanwhile, Netanyahu, Begin criticize Kadima’s candidate during Likud rally - Two days before elections, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert threw his support solidly behind the Kadima party’s candidate for prime minister,Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. It was the first time Olmert had publicly supported any candidate for the elections of the 18th Knesset. "I won’t surprise anyone if I say that I support Kadima and hope that Tzipi Livni will be elected as the 18th prime minster of Israel," Olmert said, a week after he alluded to his support for his colleague by stating his support for a party led by a woman. "I am using this opportunity because I think it’s important for the prime minister to announce who he is supporting… Tzipi Livni is the candidate who can lead Israel. She has wisdom and sensitivity," he said. . Lieberman followers debate how to enforce loyalty Abe Selig, Jerusalem Post 2/8/2009 Speaking at the party’s final campaign rally in Haifa on Sunday night, Israel Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman once again touched on his platform’s cornerstonethat has his party surging in the polls. "After the elections, we will introduce our citizen loyalty bill," Lieberman said to a roaring crowd. "We can’t go on like this. " But when it came to the enforcement of such loyalty - which in and of itself remains officially undefined - Israel Beiteinu’s supporters themselves were somewhat unclear as to how such a policy would go forward. "They’re not going to throw them straight into jail," said Arik Vexler, a Haifa resident who braved protesters from Haifa’s Arab community - some of whom yelled slogans in Russian at rally-goers - outside the rally’s entrance to get a glimpse of the man he’s voting for on Tuesday. "It’s more of a crack-down on those who break the law," he continued. "Take those protesters, for example. I mean, you’re allowed to protest, but there has to be a limit. . . . " Elections 2009 / Olmert: I hope Livni is elected prime minister Barak Ravid, Ha’aretz 2/8/2009 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday issued an endorsement for his centrist Kadima Party, following speculations regarding his vote in Israel’s upcoming general elections. The uncertainty over whom Olmert would be voting for began to dissipate early last week when he told fellow ministers during a government meeting: "This time I will be voting for the party headed by a woman. " Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in Israel AdvertisementOlmert’s remarks were made after various political sources speculated that he would not vote for his own party due to the rift with his Kadima successor and prime ministerial candidate Tzipi Livni. Some political officials had stated that Olmert would rather vote for the right-wing Likud, or would even cast a blank ballot in light of his fractured relations with Kadima’s chairwoman. Rivals target undecided Israelis Al Jazeera 2/8/2009 Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of Israel’s opposition Likud party, has pledged to stop rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, as election candidates aim to win support from a record number of undecided voters. Netanyahu remarks on Sunday came hours after two rockets were fired from the Palestinian coastal territory into Israel. "It starts by sporadic firings, then turns into a downpour and finishes by a storm," Netanyahu, a former prime minister, told Israeli army radio. "Under my government, there will no longer be downpours or storms and there will no longer be arms smuggling, especially rockets that can one day reach Tel Aviv. " About 20 per cent of Israelis remain undecided on who they will vote for, polling organisations say, and the leading candidates in the election are focusing their efforts on winning them over. Elections 2009 / Lieberman predicts he’ll win 30 seats next time around Lily Galili, Ha’aretz 2/8/2009 Avigdor Lieberman on Saturday predicted that his far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party will garner 30 seats in the next general election after Tuesday’s. This would put the party on an equal footing with Likud and Kadima. Such forecasts by the controversial politician, whose campaign against Israeli Arabs has sparked outrage, have often proved correct in the past. Before the 2006 election, he predicted that Yisrael Beiteinu would have a double-digit outcome, and it did indeed gain 11 seats. Lieberman has also declared his ambition of gaining 15 seats in next week’s election, while surveys in fact predict Yisrael Beiteinu even more than that. He made the forecast at a campaign event in Be’er Sheva. At a meeting later in the day in Arad, Lieberman responded to what he labeled as mounting slander against his party. Elections 2009 / Netanyahu: I’ll keep the Golan Israeli, Jerusalem undivided Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/8/2009 Prime Ministerial candidate Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said only a government led by his Likud party could ensure that the Golan Heights will remain in Israeli hands and that Jerusalem will not be divided. "Jerusalem will not be divided again and Gamla will not fall again. The Golan will stay in our hands only if the Likud is victorious. If Kadima wins, we will leave the Golan," Netanyahu said. Gamla was the historic capital of the Jewish Golan, sacked by the Romans in 68 CE. The Likud leader’s made the statements during a tree-planting ceremony in the Golan Heights, where he was joined by Likud heavyweights Moshe Ya’alon, Yossi Peled, Benny Begin and Effi Eitam. He added that, "Anyone who wants defensible borders will vote Likud. A large Likud will defend the tree we have planted. "He also vowed that his son Avner will sit beneath the trees planted Sunday with his grandchildren. Elections 2009 / Voting already underway for IDF and Border Police Anshel Pfeffer, Ha’aretz 2/8/2009 While most Israelis will go to the polls Tuesday to vote in the parliamentary elections, Israel Defense Forces soldiers and Border Police officers have already begun casting their ballots. The law allows IDF personnel to vote early, and some went to the polls beginning Saturday night. Around 700 stationary and mobile polling booths are expected to be set up for IDF and Border Police personnel, including IDF officers who are abroad, soldiers serving on Israel Navy ships and some Israel Air Force officers. The mobile polling booths will move between different units in the field. IDF soldiers stationed at posts near Mt. Hermon in the north will vote on Monday in order to avoid stormy weather conditions expected in the area on Tuesday. The soldiers’ votes will be tallied by the Central Elections Committee. During the elections for the 17th Knesset, out of the 63. 2 percent of soldiers who voted, 62 percent of them cast their ballots at army polling booths. Despite ’Compass,’ many unlikely to vote Amir Mizroch, Jerusalem Post 2/8/2009 On Tuesday, Israelis will go to their fifth general elections within a decade, and it seems the more Israelis go to elections, the less they’re interested in them. In the first elections in 1949, 86. 9 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots. In 2001, that number dropped to 62%. Added to those who won’t vote, there are still hundreds of thousands of Israelis who have yet to decide whom they’ll vote for come February 10, and given the vast array of parties (34) advocating everything from divorced fathers’ rights to marijuana legalization - as well as the lack of a single debate featuring the leading candidates - the choice may be far from easy. The confusion about party platforms and general feeling of disgust with the level of political discourse may keep many of these floating voters at home. Pollsters have warned that Tuesday’s elections will see a low voter turnout. Netanyahu vows to continue occupation of Golan Heights Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/9/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed never to return the Occupied Golan Heights to Syria as top candidates battled it out for a record number of undecided voters ahead of the general election on Tuesday. Speaking at a campaign stop in the occupied Syrian territory, from which the UN has demanded Israel withdraw, Netanyahu pledged to keep hold of the strategic plateau. "The Golan will never again be divided, the Golan will never fall again, the Golan will remain in our hands," he said. The government of outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had engaged in indirect talks mediated by Turkey over the return of the territory as part of a peace deal with Damascus. Netanyahu on Sunday also pledged to stop rocket fire from Gaza if elected. "It starts by sporadic firings, then turns into a downpour and finishes by a storm," Netanyahu, the leader of the right-wing opposition Likud party, told army radio. In last cabinet meeting as PM, Olmert calls on Israelis to head to the polls Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/8/2009 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday used his last Cabinet meeting before he leaves office to call on Israelis to head to the polls on Election Day Tuesday. "Knowing all of the fateful issues that will be on the agenda in both the near and distant futures, I call upon all citizens who have the desire and will to wield their influence, to realize their democratic right and obligation and go vote," Olmert said, in a statement released by his office. Calling voting "the essence of democracy", Olmert said in Israel "everything starts with voting. It is important that there be a high turnout so that the government that will be elected knows that it has the full legitimacy, from a decisive majority of the residents of the state, to decide on the most important issues affecting our future. Iraq’s Parliament fails to elect new House speaker Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/9/2009 BAGHDAD: Iraq’s Parliament remained deadlocked on the election of a new speaker on Sunday, just two days after US Vice President Joe Biden said Iraq needed to push ahead with political reform. The failure is a blow to the fledgling democracy, which without a speaker cannot debate or approve a new budget and oil laws deemed crucial to the reconstruction of the country. There are five candidates vying for the post, but rival Sunni politicians cannot agree on who should get the job. "A group of parties left the hall today and there were not enough MPs to choose a new speaker," said Jamal al-Butikh, chief of the National Iraqi List, the parliamentary group headed by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. Outspoken Mahmoud Mashhadani quit as speaker on December 23, triggering political wrangling over a replacement. He resigned after Kurdish and Shiite MPs clamored for him to go because. . . IOF soldiers bulldoze agriculture lands in southern Gaza Palestinian Information Center 2/7/2009 KHAN YOUNIS, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces advanced into Fakhari area east of Khan Younis district, to the south of Gaza Strip, at an early hour on Saturday amidst indiscriminate shooting. PIC reporter said that a number of IOF tanks and bulldozers advanced hundreds of meters in the area and bulldozed Palestinian cultivated lands. IOF troops in the West Bank kidnapped at dawn Saturday five Palestinian young men during incursions in a number of villages in the Nablus district. Other IOF units roamed the streets of Jenin villages but without any arrests made although tension is running high in those villages after the IOF claimed aborting a human bombing operation that was being planned by Palestinian resistance in Jenin to coincide with the Israeli general elections scheduled next Tuesday. Hamas: Too early to talk about date for truce; Islamic Jihad: Truce could come within week Ma’an News Agency 2/7/2009 Gaza – Ma’an – “It is too early to talk about a specific date…as everything is dependent on Israel’s stubbornness before Egyptian efforts,” said Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum about the progress of the truce negotiations Saturday. Islamic Jihad, however, sees an agreement likely by the end of the week. Indirect negotiations between Israel and Gaza factions have been ongoing since days after the end of hostilities in Gaza on 18-19 January. Initial reports aimed for an agreement by 5 February, though now reports say a deal should happen before the Israeli elections on 10 February. Hamas, however, says chances for a deal are weak, while Islamic Jihad has said a deal is likely. The latest sticking points for Hamas Barhoum said, are the issues of guarantees. He said there would be no demands on the Egyptians themselves, but noted that it was their “duty to provide guarantees. . . Israeli elections: Be afraid. Be very afraid Donald Macintyre, The Independent 2/8/2009 Donald Macintyre reports from Jerusalem on an election campaign that is still too close to call, but one with ominous portents - Israel’s Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, last night launched a concerted final effort to become her nation’s first woman leader since Golda Meir, despite the rightwards shift in public opinion that has threatened to propel Benjamin Netanyahu back into the premiership. The leader of the centrist Kadima party, who began the closing stages of her campaign with a rally for Druze Arab voters in Galilee last night, issued a direct personal challenge to Mr Netanyahu to agree to the television debate which he has consistently refused. As polls showing the lead of Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party has narrowed to only two seats ahead of Kadima, Ms Livni’s campaign team believes she can overtake her rival by the time Israel goes to the polls on Tuesday. Israel Heads Right Analysis by Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler, Inter Press Service 2/8/2009 JERUSALEM, Feb 6(IPS) - And then there were four. Just days until Israel’s general election, the three front-running parties have been joined by an anti-establishment surge from the far right that has the Israel Beiteinu party vying for a major role in the next government. Led by Avigdor Liberman, Israel Beiteinu has actually overtaken the once powerful Labour party of Ehud Barak and is fast closing the gap on the top two contenders, Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud, which opinion polls give 26-29 seats compared to 24-27 seats for Tsipi Livni’s centre-right Kadima. There are 120 seats in the Knesset, so a viable coalition will need to be composed of at least three and, very possibly, more parties, all but Labour on the right of the political spectrum. Liberman’s party relies heavily on the immigrant vote of Russian-speaking Israelis (around 20 percent of the 5. Yaalon: Lieberman may recommend Livni Amnon Meranda, YNetNews 2/7/2009 Former IDF chief and Likud candidate says Yisrael Beiteinu chairman may tell president Kadima chairwoman should form new government in case of tie in elections. Lieberman states won’t rule out sitting in coalition with anyone, predicts his party will grow stronger in 2013 elections - Former IDF Chief of Staff and Likud candidate Moshe Yaalon slammed theYisrael Beiteinu party on Saturday, saying that its chairman, Avigdor Lieberman, "may recommend to the president that (Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi) Livni should be the one to form the next government" in case of a tie in Tuesday’s elections. Speaking at an event in the central city of Shoham, Yaalon said that "there are those who vote for Lieberman not intending her (Livni) to form the government. "He noted that Lieberman was part of theOlmert-led government in the past. Palestinian PM: No Israeli leader has ’reasonable solution’ to conflict Haaretz Staff and News Agencies, Ha’aretz 2/8/2009 Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad downplayed hopes for a sea-change in the fortunes of the stagnant peace process Saturday, despite the imminent advent of a new Israeli prime minister. "I do not know of a single Israeli politician from any party who I would expect to offer a reasonable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Fayyad told reporters at his Ramallah offices. "All of them want a partial solution, or they aim to improve the face and the conditions of the occupation while the settlements continue," he added. Israelis go to the polls on Tuesday to vote in general elections sparked by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s resignation over corruption accusations and by the failure of his successor as Kadima party leader, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, to form a government. Fayyad also Saturday proposed ways he said could make it easier for foreign donors to help pay for post-war reconstruction in the Gaza Strip. Iraq’s Sadrists complain of vote fraud Middle East Online 2/7/2009 BAGHDAD - Iraqi politicians backed by the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Saturday said they would lodge an official complaint about votes being excluded during last weekend’s provincial elections. Allies of Sadr said that preliminary results declared by election authorities were markedly different from estimates compiled by the party’s observers during the hotly-contested vote. "There is a big difference in some provinces between the figures we have, through our agents and observers, and those that were declared," said Amir al-Kinani, secretary general of the Free Independent Movement, backed by Sadr. "We will submit the appeal in the results of a number of Baghdad areas and other provinces, including Najaf, Maysan, and Diwaniyah," he said. The Free Independent Movement finished second in the capital Baghdad with nine percent of the vote, which left them 29 percent behind candidates backed by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Swedish pair throws shoes, book at Israeli ambassador Cnaan Liphshiz, Ha’aretz 2/6/2009 Stockholm Police yesterday arrested two people who threw a shoe and two books at Israel’s ambassador to Sweden, while he was delivering an address at Stockholm University. A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry said Ambassador Benny Dagan was speaking in the afternoon about the upcoming elections in Israel, when the objects were hurled at him from the audience of 50 people. In a famous incident last December, an Iraqi journalist hurled both shoes at former U. S. President George W. Bush when he was on a farewell visit to Iraq. When contacted by Haaretz, Dagan said he could not comment on the case since it is the subject of a police investigation. Dagan had been invited to speak by a student organization. The two alleged perpetrators are suspected of battery or attempt of battery, police said, and were questioned by the police at Sodermalm station. Hard man of the right is Israel’s kingmaker in waiting Donald Macintyre in Umm el Fahm, The Independent 2/6/2009 The settler politician dubbed ’Le Pen of the West Bank’ wants Israeli Arabs to swear loyalty to the state -- or lose their vote - Avigdor Lieberman once suggested that Arab Knesset members who had talks with Hamas representatives should be executed - Avigdor Lieberman, the far-right politician campaigning on a platform that Israeli Arabs should pledge loyalty to the state or lose their right to vote, has become the pivotal figure in next week’s election after two polls showing his party has overtaken Labour. The Yisrael Beiteinu party headed by the Moldovan-born Mr Lieberman, who lives in a West Bank Jewish settlement and has been depicted by his critics as an Israeli version of Jean-Marie Le Pen or Jorg Haider, is in third place with a projected 19 or 17 seats in two newspaper polls yesterday. If the party did take that number of seats, it would mean it has performed well beyond its Netanyahu: The leader who struts like a superpower Donald Macintyre in Jerusalem, The Independent 2/7/2009 Benjamin Netanyahu is favourite to win Tuesday’s Israeli election, and that could put him on a collision course with the Obama White House. - It was Bill Clinton who drily observed after meeting the newly elected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "he thinks he is the superpower and we are here to do whatever he requires. " If Mr Netanyahu emerges as victor in next Tuesday’s election and in the process of government formation that will follow, he is unlikely to treat President Barack Obama to a repeat of what Mr Clinton’s key Middle East aide, Dennis Ross, would later recall as that "nearly insufferable" performance in the White House in 1996. Mr Netanyahu, who has gone out of his way to be publicly flattering about Mr Obama in recent weeks, knows a little more about diplomacy than he did then; one of several reasons why he lost the election three years later was that the Israeli public was unhappy about how unwelcome their prime minister had become in Washington. Elections Committee rejects bid to ban far-rightist from Arab city poll Tomer Zarchin, Ha’aretz 2/7/2009 Central Elections Committee chairman Eliezer Rivlin on Friday rejected a request to ban far-rightist Baruch Marzel from serving as a poll supervisor in the Israeli-Arab city of Umm al-Fahm. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz earlier on Friday urged the Central Elections Committee to prevent Marzel, head of the far-right Jewish National Front party, from monitoring polls in the Arab city on election day. Mazuz said that Marzel’s presence in the city will harm the public order and the purity of the election process, and said that his request was based on information from security services and police. Justice Rivlin said he does not have the authority to disqualify Marzel, except in the event that there are disturbances at the polling station on election day. Mazuz said that Marzel’s presence in the city will harm the public order and the purity of the election process. . . -- See also: Knesset committee bans Arab parties from elections Meretz leader to Haaretz: Two-state solution on last legs Ari Shavit, Ha’aretz 2/7/2009 You gotta love Jumes. You can disagree with him and you can get mad [at] him, but in the end, you have to have great warmth for him. In the age of Lieberman’s nationalism and Eyal Arad’s spin, Meretz chair Haim Oron is like an antibody. Even when he goofs, he goofs with his heart in the right place. If any two numbers reveal just how awful this election is, it’s these: Lieberman 20, Meretz five. The Lieberman-Meretz gap raises serious questions about the future and the present of the state of Israel. From his Tel Aviv campaign headquarters, Jumes is still fighting to change both. Why Meretz? For half their lives, half of Haaretz’s readers have been voting Meretz and nothing good has come of it. Meretz is a kind of start-up. It tosses out ideas that catch on later and other people implement them. Israeli polls show far-right gains Alex Sehmer in Tel Aviv, Al Jazeera 2/7/2009 Israel’s election race has got much tighter, with the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party overtaking Labor, one of Israel’s Big Three political parties in the polls. The opinion polls, published in Israeli newspapers on Friday, show Yisrael Beiteinu, is likely to win 18 or 19 seats in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. A poll in the Maariv newspaper indicated that Kadima, led by Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister, had closed the gap with opposition party Likud, with Benjamin Netanyahu’s party now leading by only three seats. The Labor Party of Ehud Barak, who serves as defence minister in the coalition government with Kadima, was trailing in fourth position with just 17 seats, Maariv reported. Another poll in Yediot Ahronot showed that Likud was likely to win 25 seats in the 120-seat. . . Rivlin rejects petition to bar Marzel from Umm al-Fahm ballot committee YNetNews 2/6/2009 Attorney general asks Elections Committee to disqualify extreme right-wing activist from local ballot’s voting board due to concerns that move may spark riot; committee head rejects petition, says State responsible for maintaining public safety - Fears of Election Day riots in Umm al-Fahm are growing: Attorney General Menachem Mazuz sent and emergency appeal to the Central Elections Committee Friday, asking it exercise its authority and disqualify extreme right-wing activist Baruch Marzel from heading the ballot committee in the Israeli-Arab city of Umm al-Fahm. Mazuz’s appeal to the committee reportedly followed security concerns expressed by both Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin and Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen. Mazuz cited the concerns, saying that the move would cause "a near-certain disruption of public order and may infringe on both public safety and the purity of elections on the city. " -- See also: Knesset committee bans Arab parties from elections Mishaal: Institutes that contradict Palestinian resistance option not legitimate Palestinian Information Center 2/6/2009 DAMASCUS, (PIC)-- Head of the political bureau of Hamas, Khaled Mishaal, said that no one argues against the PLO being the home for Palestinians inside and outside Palestine, stressing at the same time that its institutions such as the PLO’s executive committee and the Palestinian National Council have lost their legitimacy many years ago. Mishaal, who was speaking at a rally held in Damascus to mark the victory of Gaza, said that the Palestinian people have chosen the resistance option, thus any institute that contradicts this option is illegitimate. He criticised those who express doubt about the victory of Gaza and said that it was normal for the Israeli occupation to deny defeat, especially that it is the election season. He added that he finds strange that while some Israeli writers and intellectuals argue that Israel has lost the war on Gaza, some Arab and Palestinian parties insist that Israel did not lose. Do it again: JA hopes economic crisis will help renewed English-teacher campaign Cnaan Liphshiz, Ha’aretz 2/6/2009 In yet another attempt to fill a crippling shortage in English teachers in Israeli schools, the Jewish Agency and the Education Ministry this week announced a new recruitment drive in North America. Referring to similar past projects which yielded limited results, ministry officials said the new plan has a better chance of succeeding because of the world financial crisis, as well as the authority’s acquired experience in teacher retention. Dubbed ’Teachers for Israel," the initiative seeks to make up for a shortfall of roughly 220 English teachers in Israel, with the ministry seeking to recruit as many as 1,000 Jewish instructors. The only requirements for the program are that candidates be under 35 years of age and hold a BA degree. Participants will be placed in a 14-month program, which will include pedagogical training and Hebrew classes, followed by an internship and finally placement. Livni narrows Netanyahu’s lead ahead of vote next week Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/7/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Benjamin Netanyahu will go into Tuesday’s Israeli election with centrist Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni breathing down his neck and a far-right party siphoning votes from him, according to final opinion polls on Friday. Four polls on the last day such surveys can be published showed Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud leading Livni’s Kadima party by two or three seats in the race for the 120-member Knesset, down from 4-5 last month and as many as 9 seats in December. A typical poll shows Likud on 26 seats to Kadima’s 23. By contrast, the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu (Our Home is Israel), led by Netanyahu’s Russian-speaking former aide Avigdor Lieberman, was on 18 or 19 seats. Just a month ago the party, which harnesses anti-Arab sentiment and supports a proposal to ethnically cleanse Israel of its Palestinian citizens, was scoring around the same 11 seats it secured in a 2006 election. Elections 2009 / ’Lieberman is holding Netanyahu hostage’ Mazal Mualem, Ha’aretz 2/7/2009 With five days to go until the election, Likud and Kadima both admit Avigdor Lieberman will determine who forms the next government, assuming the polls predicting Yisrael Beiteinu will be the third largest party. Lieberman’s meteoric rise and the narrowing gap between Likud and Kadima to a close battle, have transformed the sleepy 2009 race and made Lieberman into the critical axis, complicating coalition building. The next government will likely include Lieberman despite his extreme stance on Israeli Arabs and the criminal investigations. The only partner to officially rule out Lieberman as a coalition partner is Meretz. Labor lawmakers are battling party chair Ehud Barak, who refuses to publicly vow not to sit with Lieberman, as he understands that Likud chair Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima chair Tzipi Livni will have a hard time giving up Lieberman, if the most recent polls prove true. Elections 2009 / Harsh tone of election campaign due to desire to please Russian speakers Lily Galili, Ha’aretz 2/6/2009 [Blame it on the Russians? - Ed. ] Two significant events have combined to shape the 2009 election campaign: This is the 20th anniversary of the start of mass immigration from the former Soviet Union, and the 10th anniversary of Yisrael Beiteinu’s establishment. And hence, it is also the year in which the entire campaign underwent a process of "Russification" that will not only affect the outcome of the vote, but has already affected its tone. The success that the polls are predicting for Avigdor Lieberman’s party is the electoral reflection of this process. But even more significant is the impact that 1. 25 million Russian speakers have had on the aggression level of the campaign rhetoric. If Lieberman’s campaign advertisements say he "understands Arabic," other candidates have tried to signal that they understand Russian. Livni challenges Netanyahu to a debate YNetNews 2/6/2009 ’Public demands candidates present policies on threats Israel is facing,’ Kadima chairwoman tells Likud leader in letter. Bibi during tour of settlement: Kadima will continue withdrawals - Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni challenged Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu to a debate ahead of Tuesday’s general elections. "The Israeli public is eager for information on the candidates’ plan of action for the coming years," she said Friday, in a letter addressed to the Likud leader. "I am writing to you because thus far you haven’t responded to my calls for a public debate. I don’t understand what you’re afraid of. "I am certain that it is clear to you as well that a vote based on threats and anxieties is insufficient," the Kadima chair added, "There is a justifiable demand from the premiership candidates to present their policies regarding the threats Israel is facing and how they plan to lead the country towards peace and a better future. ’A higher regard for law enforcement’ Cnaan Liphshiz, Ha’aretz 2/6/2009 Yisrael Beiteinu candidates are divided over the question whether the police investigations against their chairman, Avigdor Lieberman, is undermining the party’s appeal to Anglo voters. The party’s Canadian-born 21st candidate in the upcoming elections, Danny Hershtal, describes the investigation as having the potential of being "seriously damaging. "But number seven, Danny Ayalon, says it couldn’t possibly affect the vote count. Alleging that people from the West have a lower tolerance to corruption than native Israelis, Hershtal said: "People who haven’t been in Israel too long have not had enough time to observe how criminal investigations peak and dissolve here in strange correlation to the popularity of some candidates. "He added: "We all know that long criminal investigations against politicians often end without an indictment, and we have a skeptical view of them. " Israeli election too close to call according to latest polls Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 2/6/2009 Final opinion polls published today before next week’s Israeli elections suggest the race between the rightwing Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Tzipi Livni, the centrist foreign minister, may be too close to call. Although all polls still put Netanyahu, leader of the Likud opposition party, ahead, his lead has shrunk and there are thought to be as many as 20% of voters who are still undecided before Tuesday’s vote. The latest polls suggest Netanyahu would take between 25 and 27 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, ahead of Livni’s Kadima party with 23 to 25 seats. As always in Israeli elections, the future prime minister would still need to build a sizeable coalition in order to lead a government. Netanyahu’s lead has slipped in part because of a sudden rise in support for the far-right leader Avigdor Lieberman, whose party, Israel Our Home, is now ranked third. Poll: Likud slips, but on course for narrow win Gil Hoffman, Jerusalem Post 2/6/2009 The Likud will win an unexpectedly close race but the right-wing bloc will easily defeat the Left, according to a consensus of polls taken ahead of Friday, the last date polls can be published before Tuesday’s election. A Jerusalem Post/Smith Research poll found that the Right would win some 65 seats, led by the Likud’s 26 and Israel Beiteinu’s 17-18. The Left would win some 55 seats, led by Kadima’s 23 and Labor’s 14. Likud’s three-seat lead over Kadima is down from six mandates when the last Smith poll was published January 2. While Kadima has remained stagnant since then, Likud has lost three seats to Avigdor Lieberman’s resurgent Israel Beiteinu. Other polls showed similar trends. A Panels poll taken for Channel 2’s Web site found that the gap between Likud and Kadima had fallen to only one seat, and a Dialogue poll taken for Ha’aretz put the gap at two. Politics: ’Post’ guide to the 2009 elections Gil Hoffman, Jerusalem Post 2/5/2009 The election campaign that culminates when voters cast their ballots Tuesday has had its share of surprises, ups and down in the polls and the usual political mudslinging. But the intensity of the public’s involvement in the political process has taken a step back in this election, with far fewer people attending political events, placing bumper stickers on their cars and hanging posters from their porches and rooftops. Yet what is most glaringly absent from this election is a debate among the three people running for prime minister. There has not been a full debate of all prime ministerial candidates since 1996, which has allowed the politicians to make it through an entire election campaign without clarifying their policies on key issues. That’s why The Jerusalem Post is presenting a guide to the 33 parties seeking your vote on Election Day and a synopsis on what they stand for. Olmert quits political life bruised Ron Bousso - JERUSALEM, Middle East Online 2/6/2009 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will quit Israel’s political life after Tuesday’s election, bruised by graft scandals and three tumultuous years in office marked by two wars and a hobbled peace process. But experts believe the savvy 63-year-old might eventually seek to return to public life. Olmert assumed the interim premiership in January 2006, after taking over from his mentor Ariel Sharon, who had designated him as his successor before suffering a stroke and falling into a coma. He remained in office after his centrist Kadima party won the March 2006 elections on a promise to reshape Israel’s borders in the occupied West Bank following a withdrawal from Gaza engineered by Sharon the previous year. But he quickly had to abandon his plan. "From the outset, Olmert appeared a very promising, experienced and highly qualified leader, which he did prove at times. All three agree: ILA needs reform Haim Bior, Ha’aretz 2/6/2009 There is at least one thing the three leading candidates for prime minister agrred on yesterday: The Israel Lands Administration and the country’s planning and zoning commissions suffer from "horrible" bureaucracy and do not properly serve the people. The three appeared one after the other at a conference of the Union of Local Authorities held in Tel Aviv. Kadima chairperson and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni even claimed that the ILA was tainted with signs of corruption. All three pointed out the problematic existence of "fixers" acting between the ILA and the citizen, and the need for deep reforms in city planning bodies. Livni, Labor chairman and Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Likud head MK Benjamin Netanyahu told the 150 heads of local authorities of their economic plans for after the election - if they are elected, of course. I’m voting Meretz Amos Schocken, Ha’aretz 2/6/2009 Meretz’s position during the war in the south is no reason not to vote for it. If anything, it’s a badge of honor for the party and its leaders, another one of many reasons to vote for the party in the upcoming elections. "The State of Israel has the right and the duty to see to the welfare and the security of its citizens," said party head Haim Oron during the special Knesset debate two days after the outset of the military operation. "This does not mean use of all available force, or justification of every action carried out in the past 48 hours," he continued. Meretz’s opposition to the ground operation was immediate and vigorous, and stated that "the Lebanese quagmire will be considered shallow compared to the anticipated quagmire in Gaza. A ground operation and entry into Gaza contradict a basic Israeli interest. Israel, Iran, Pakistan world’s least popular nations - poll Jim Lobe, Inter Press Service, Daily Star 2/7/2009 WASHINGTON: Israel, Iran, North Korea and Pakistan are widely seen as exerting the most negative influence on world affairs, according to the latest in a series of annual global surveys by the BBC’s World Service on popular perceptions of the world’s most powerful or newsworthy nations. The survey, which questioned some 13,500 respondents in 21 countries around the world, found that perceptions of Russian and Chinese influence also became considerably more negative during 2008. At the same time, views of the United States, which rivaled those of Israel and Iran just two years ago, continued improving modestly last year but remained predominantly negative despite the victory of Barack Obama in the November 2008 presidential elections. "Though BBC polls have shown that most people around the world are hopeful that Barack Obama will improve US relations with the. . . " Maliki: Iraq elections ’changed political map’ Middle East Online 2/6/2009 BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Friday that Iraq’s provincial elections had "changed the political map" and were a success for the country’s citizens. "It is a success for all Iraqis," he told reporters in Baghdad, in his first comments since results showed on Thursday that candidates backed by him had triumphed in fiercely contested polls held six days ago. "Sure, there are changes to the political map, because the citizens voted to see the changes," said the Shiite premier, who has adopted a notably secular political outlook. "Iraqis voted based on the programme presented by candidates and not on a sectarian affiliation," he said. "I am more happy for that than the fact that our list topped the vote. " Maliki did not stand in last Saturday’s elections but campaigned vigorously for candidates in the State of Law Coalition, who swept the poll in Baghdad and in eight of Iraq’s nine Shiite provinces. Abbas Government Announces $600 Million Gaza Aid Project Ali Sawafta, MIFTAH 2/5/2009 The government of Western-back Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Wednesday a $600 million reconstruction program for the war-battered Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who heads Abbas’s West Bank-based government, said the program would cover all Palestinian houses destroyed or damaged during Israel’s 22-day military offensive in the Hamas-ruled enclave. The United States and its allies want credit for reconstruction to accrue to Abbas’s Palestinian Authority, and not to the Iranian-backed Islamists who won a 2006 election and forcibly seized control of the Gaza Strip 18 months later. While Abbas’s government would take the lead in planning the rebuilding, it has scant presence on the ground in the Gaza Strip, meaning reconstruction work would initially have to be done by U. N. agencies and contractors, Western diplomats said. Poll: Gaza war boosts Hamas popularity Middle East Online 2/5/2009 JERUSALEM - Israel’s war on Gaza, which killed more than 1,300 Palestinians (mainly civilians) and left large swathes of the territory in ruins, has boosted the popularity of democratically elected Hamas, an opinion poll found on Thursday. Hamas would get 28. 6 percent of the vote compared with 27. 9 percent for the rival Fatah faction of Mahmud Abbas if elections were held today, according to the survey by the Jerusalem Media and Communications Centre. It marks the first time that an opinion poll has placed Hamas in front of Fatah, which it ousted from the Gaza Strip in June 2007, after a failed CIA-backed coup attempt to topple democratically elected Hamas. Hamas scored an upset victory in January 2006 parliamentary elections, defying opinion poll predictions at the time. Hamas was elected to power in January 2006 with 44% of the vote to Fatah’s 41%, receiving 76 of 132. . . Hamas rides higher in polls after Israel’s Gaza onslaught Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/6/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, which killed more than 1,300 people and left large swathes of the territory in ruins, has boosted the popularity of the Islamists, an opinion poll found on Thursday. Hamas would get 28. 6 percent of the vote compared with 27. 9 percent for the rival Fatah faction of Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas if elections were held today, according to the survey by the Jerusalem Media and Communications Center. It marks the first time that an opinion poll has placed Hamas in front of Fatah, which it ousted from the Gaza Strip in deadly fighting in June 2007. Hamas scored an upset victory in January 2006 parliamentary elections, defying opinion poll predictions which had seriously underestimated the Islamist vote. Thursday’s poll also found that Hamas has stronger support in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, still administered by Abbas, than it does in its own Gaza bastion. Shoe hits Israeli ambassador to Sweden Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center News 2/5/2009 A shoe was thrown at Israel’s ambassador to Sweden, Mr. Benny Dagan, when he was giving a speech at Stockholm University on Thursday. It was followed by two books and a note pad, all hitting the severely embarrassed ambassador. The two protesters, a young woman and a young man, shouted "Murderers!" and "Intifada!" while pelting Dagan with the objects. They are currently under arrest and charged with assault and public disturbance. The lecture was organized by the Foreign policy association at Stockholm University. The ambassador was supposed to talk about the upcoming elections in Israel, but turned quickly to issues of Hamas and Iran, and developed a lengthy defence for Israel ’s recent actions in the Gaza Strip. Some 20 minutes into the lecture, a woman stood up in the audience, threw a red shoe at the ambassador and shouted "Murderers!" The shoe hit Dagan in his stomach. Shoe thrown at Israeli ambassador to Sweden Middle East Online 2/5/2009 STOCKHOLM - A shoe was thrown at Israel’s ambassador to Sweden as he gave a speech at Stockholm University on the upcoming Israeli election, a spokeswoman for the school said Thursday. "A student organisation had invited ambassador Benny Dagan to come talk about the Israeli election. It was during this talk Wednesday that some members of the audience threw a shoe and some other items at him," spokeswoman Maria Sandqvist said. "Police were present and they detained two people," she said. Sandqvist was not able to say whether Dagan was hit by the objects, but Swedish news agency TT said one of the objects hit him. The Israeli embassy was not available for comment Thursday. Police told TT a 35-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were arrested for assault and public disorder. Earlier this week, a protester hurled a shoe at Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao as he gave a. . . Elections 2009 / Livni: Every Israeli must do IDF or national service Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/6/2009 Kadima Chair Tzipi Livni said Thursday that all Israeli citizens should be obliged to enlist for military or national service, in an apparent reference to the exemption from service of Israeli Arabs and the ultra-Orthodox. Speaking at a conference of mayors and local authority officials, the foreign minister and prime ministerial hopeful said that "all Israeli citizens must enlist for military or national service, which would also benefit each citizen’s relations with the country. " Livni’s comments came as the status of Israeli Arabs was given prominence in the current election campaign. The hardline Yisrael Beiteinu party, headed by Avigdor Lieberman, has called into question the loyalty of minorities to the State of Israel, distributing placards with the slogan: "No citizenship without loyalty. "Speaking to Army Radio Thursday, Livni slammed the strengthening in the polls of Israel Beiteinu, saying "the trend of voting for a party whose entire slate is based on hate, points to a social problem. " Netanyahu offers ministry to ultra-nationalist rival Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/6/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Benjamin Netanyahu, widely tipped to become Israel’s prime minister after next week’s election, said on Thursday he would offer a top ministry to ultra-nationalist hawk Avigdor Lieberman if he takes office. Lieberman’s party Yisrael Beitenu has emerged as a force in the February 10 election, tipped to become the third largest party in Parliament. "When I become prime minister, I will reach out to Yisrael Beitenu and I will propose an important ministry to Avigdor Lieberman," Netanyahu told Army Radio. "I intend to form a government by first of all reaching out to our traditional partners in the national camp, including Yisrael Beitenu," the hawkish politician said. According to the mass-selling Yediot Aharonot newspaper, Lieberman is seeking the defense portfolio but Netanyahu is unlikely to meet his demand. Elections 2009 / Netanyahu: Lieberman campaign against Israeli Arabs is ’legitimate’ Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/6/2009 Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday branded as "legitimate" rival prime ministerial candidate Avigdor Lieberman’s electoral campaign against Israeli Arabs. "This is a legitimate bill, which has already been proposed by Likud MK Yisrael Katz, but the problem with it is enforcement. It is legitimate to demand that the citizens of a state should be loyal to it," said Netanyahu in an interview with Channel 2. Netanyahu was referring to Lieberman’s vow to pass a citizenship law that will "prevent the disloyalty of some of Israel’s Arabs. "Lieberman’s hardline Yisrael Beiteinu has built its campaign ahead of next week’s general election around the slogan: "No citizenship without loyalty," which is directed at Israeli Arabs, some of whom the party accuses of constituting a fifth column. Hardline populist Lieberman could be surprise kingmaker in Israeli election Rory McCarthy in Nokdim, The Guardian 2/5/2009 The home town of Avigdor Lieberman, the surprise star of Israel’s election campaign, sits on a hilltop deep in the Judean desert looking out over the occupied West Bank. One of Israel’s smaller settlements-home to about 700 Israelis - Nokdim was built in 1982 near the Palestinian city of Bethlehem. Beyond are smaller caravan outposts of even more hardline settlers, the frontline in their increasingly successful project of territorial expansion. From here, Lieberman, 50, has engineered an extraordinary rise in Israeli politics, his hardline, populist rhetoric catching the public mood and elevating his party, Yisrael Beitenu (Israel Our Home), to third position in opinion polls ahead of next Tuesday’s election. Lieberman - a former nightclub bouncer born in Moldova who arrived as an immigrant to Israel 31 years ago - is likely to secure a major cabinet position in what will probably be a rightwing dominated government. Benjamin Netanyahu, the head of the opposition Likud, is projected to become the next prime minister. Lieberman leaps ahead to challenge Livni Lilach Weissman, Globes Online 2/5/2009 The gap between Israel Beiteinu and Kadima is now within the range of statistical error. Next Wednesday, the day after Israel’s general election, all eyes will be on one person. Not Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, and not Kadima leader Tzipi Livni. Everyone will wait for the pronouncement of Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Israel Beiteinu, on whom he will recommend to President Shimon Peres as the person to form the next government. With the latest "Globes"-Geocartography poll predicting that his party will win 21 out the Knesset’s 120 seats, up from 17 seats in last week’s poll, Lieberman is the one who will decide who will be prime minister. He is the new kingmaker. If that title previously belonged to Shas leader Eli Yishai, it has now passed to Lieberman. It looks as though Yishai made a fatal error when he decided not to join a coalition led by Livni, the decision that led to these elections. Candidate for Israeli Prime Minister: No return of stolen Palestinian land Saed Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center News 2/5/2009 Benjamin Netanyahu, the leading candidate for Israeli Prime Minister, stated Wednesday that no land should be returned to the Palestinian people. Referring to commitments made by outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during US-led peace negotiations, Netanyahu stated, "I will not keep Olmert’s commitments to withdraw, and I won’t evacuate settlements. "Israeli civilians have moved into settlements, or colonies, on Palestinian land in record numbers over the last fifteen years. The settlement expansion, in direct violation of the 1993 Oslo Agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, has made further peace talks impossible. Palestinians have demanded the dismantling of the settlements in order to make a viable Palestinian state possible. But, Israeli immigrants have continued to move into illegal developments on stolen Palestinian land, with the full approval of the Israeli government. Livni: Lieberman viable gov’t partner Jerusalem Post 2/5/2009 Kadima leader Tzipi Livni on Thursday said that she was not opposed to having Avigdor Lieberman’s Israel Beiteinu party in her coalition - as long as he conforms to the government’s platform. Speaking to Army Radio, Livni nevertheless said that "voting out of fear is problematic, be it out of fear of Arabs or any other group. "Responding to a Ma’ariv report that she would demand a rotation with Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu at the helm of the government, Livni said that she "intends to win the elections. " Meanwhile, in a departure from statements made by fellow members of Israel Beiteinu in recent days, MK Yitzhak Aharonovich said Thursday morning that he would not eliminate the possibility of joining a Kadima-led government. The Israel Beiteinu MK added, however, that his party still preferred the more natural partnership with Likud. Lieberman: Netanyahu not responsible for attacks on me from inside Likud Lily Galili, Ha’aretz 2/5/2009 Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in Israel Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman yesterday said he would prefer partnership in a right-wing government that would handle internal and external terrorism in the same way. Lieberman, visiting communities along the Gaza Strip border, said he wasn’t accusing Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu of orchestrating Likud attacks on him, however he blasted the party for its "vague and confused" statements about its relations with Shas. "The media, Likud, Bayit Hayehudi, National Union and even those wretches from Shas are conducting an incessant attack on us - we must be doing the right thing," he said. "My heart goes out to Netanyahu, his problem is not us but what’s happening in Likud," Lieberman said. Labor, Meretz fear green parties snagging their voters Ehud Zion Waldoks, Jerusalem Post 2/5/2009 Labor and Meretz evinced concern on Thursday morning that the green parties could steal part of their voter base on Election Day and thus pass the threshold to get into the Knesset. During a panel sponsored by the Israel Union of Environmental Defense (IUED), Labor’s Ophir Paz-Pines and Meretz’s Nitzan Horowitz both attempted to disparage the Green Movement-Meimad and the Greens as "niche parties" that were too small to effect change. Even United Torah Judaism’s Moshe Gafni urged voters to return established parties to the Knesset rather than vote for a green party - perhaps concerned that his small party could also suffer from the rise of the environmental parties. Five days before the voting booths were set to open, the panel featured representatives from most of the parties across the political spectrum, from Israel Beiteinu to Hadash. Lieberman pull not limited to the right Yanir Yagna, Ha’aretz 2/5/2009 Elections are less than a week away, and many voters remain undecided. Yisrael Beiteinu is expected to be a major beneficiary of voters disaffected with their former parties, but their competitors for "swing" votes are not always what one would expect. Avivi, 30, is wavering between Yisrael Beiteinu or Meretz. "The country has to go to an extreme. The centrist parties - Labor, Kadima and Likud - have not delivered the goods," he says. " Ultimately we will return to the 1967 borders, but even that will take time - a year, two years or maybe a decade. Bibi [Netanyahu] will return the Golan and Jerusalem will be divided," he says. "Not that I support that, but that’s what will happen. "Avivi says if he votes for Lieberman, it will be largely because he believes every Israeli citizen must perform either military or national service. Umm al-Fahm vows to block far-rightist from entering city on election day Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/5/2009 The Israeli-Arab city of Umm al-Fahm on Thursday announced plans to block the entry of far-right activist Baruch Marzel to the city on election day, where he is scheduled to serve as a poll station supervisor. Click here for exclusive Haaretz coverage of the elections in Israel Umm al-Fahm, Israel’s second-largest Arab city, will send a letter to the police and the election committee in the coming days requesting the right to block Marzel from serving as a poll station supervisor in the city, saying that he would pose a threat to order and peace in the community. The Central Elections Committee this week said it did not have legal authority to prevent Marzel, head of the far-right Jewish National Front party, from serving as a poll supervisor. Initial results indicate triumph for Maliki in provincial polls Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/6/2009 BAGHDAD: Iraqi Premier Nuri al-Maliki’s allies triumphed in weekend elections, preliminary results showed Thursday, delivering him a popular mandate after fiercely contested polls in the war-torn nation. Candidates backed by Maliki took the biggest vote in Baghdad and eight of the country’s nine Shiite provinces, in a huge vote of confidence for the premier, whose standing has steadily grown at home and abroad in the past year. Just over half of Iraqis voted on Saturday in the election, which was seen as a vital test of the country’s progress since a US-led invasion ousted Saddam Hussein from power almost six years ago. Maliki, a Shiite, did not stand in the election but threw his backing behind candidates from the country’s State of Law Coalition. The preliminary tally released by the Iraqi High Electoral Commission showed that the coalition had a resounding success in Baghdad, achieving 38 percent of the vote. US Mideast Envoy Wants Regional Office Gulf News, MIFTAH 2/5/2009 The special US envoy for Middle East peace, George Mitchell, has asked to open his own office in the region to deal with day-to-day developments between Israel, the Palestinians and neighboring states, signaling a desire for greater American hands-on involvement in negotiations. Mitchell, who just returned from the region on Monday and plans to go back this month after Israel’s Feb. 10 elections, has proposed placing a small staff in Jerusalem to monitor the situation on the ground, officials briefed on his recommendation said. Action on Mitchell’s request by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is expected soon, possibly this week, the officials said. Obama, Clinton and Mitchell are expected to meet at the White House on Wednesday to plot a way forward, they said. Setting up a dedicated office for special envoys in their region of responsibility is not unprecedented, but it is a clear shift from the Bush administration. Elections 2009 / Netanyahu: Lieberman will be pivotal minister in my government Barak Ravid and Ora Koren, Ha’aretz 2/5/2009 A week before general elections, the front-runner in the polls Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that he plans to appoint Yisrael Beitenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman to a pivotal ministerial position in the government that he will establish once elected. Speaking at a conference attended by some 1,000 people, Netanyahu refrained from attacking Lieberman, his main rival for the Russian sector’s vote, and tried to send a message to Israel’s Russian immigrants that only he, as prime minister, will be able to address their needs. This policy of not attacking Lieberman is not entirely acceptable among the Likud’s Russian members, who criticized the attempt to pass the Likud off as a "central" party rather than right wing. Asia Antov, the head of the volunteer headquarters and the coordinator. . . No territorial concessions to Palestinians, says Netanyahu Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 2/4/2009 Israel’s rightwing opposition leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads the polls before next week’s parliamentary elections, warned today against giving up any occupied territory to the Palestinians, saying it would be "grabbed by extremists". Under Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party, Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are likely to grow more rapidly, putting Israel at odds with the new US administration. In a speech, Netanyahu said that rather than peace talks with the Palestinians about giving up territory, he favoured economic development - a plan of "economic peace". He has stopped short of endorsing a two-state solution that would see the creation of an independent Palestinian state. It is a stance that is likely to draw criticism from Washington, particularly from new Middle East envoy George Mitchell, who wrote a report in 2001 explicitly calling for a halt to all settlement growth. Abbas asks EU to send peacekeepers to Middle East Ma’an News Agency 2/4/2009 Bethlehem – Ma’an – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday urged the European Union to send peacekeepers to the Middle East. "The time has come for the international community to bear its legal, political and moral responsibilities and provide it with adequate international protection," Abbas told the European Parliament in Strasbourg. "I would like to stress again our request to send international forces in order to protect our people," he said. He also called on the EU to assist in future elections in the Palestinian Authority, and support any national unity government that may emerge in the future. "I hope you will help us organize such elections and oversee them," Abbas told European lawmakers. He also urged the international community to press Israel to open the Gaza Strip’s borders, and to prevent a repeat of Israel’s massive assault on the territory. Lieberman was involved in radical right Kach movement Lily Galili, Ha’aretz 2/5/2009 Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman was once a member of the outlawed far-right party Kach, Haaretz learned yesterday. Former Kach secretary general Yossi Dayan said he issued Lieberman, a prime ministerial candidate whose current electoral campaign against Israeli Arabs has provoked outrage, with a party membership card when he was still a new immigrant to Israel. " I don’t recall to what extent he was active in the movement, but if he denies [this], I am ready to testify in any forum that Lieberman was indeed a member for a short amount of time," said Dayan. Kach was banned from the 1988 Knesset elections for inciting to racism. Ultra-nationalist activist Avigdor Eskin, meanwhile, remembers meeting Lieberman at Kahane’s office on Ussishkin Street in Jerusalem. "I remember this very well, because I arrived there one day after I immigrated to Israel in 1979," he said. National security again to dominate Israeli elections Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 2/4/2009 [Includes audio report] With less than a week to go before Israel holds elections, the rival candidates are locked in fierce debate not about whether the devastating war in Gaza went too far, but whether it went far enough. Once again the challenge of national security will dominate the vote at a time when, as far as opinion polls predict, the country’s political mood has shifted dramatically to the right. Binyamin Netanyahu, leader of the opposition Likud party, is ahead in the polls and widely predicted to be the next prime minister. Three years ago the public elected the centrist Kadima party to head a government that talked boldly of drawing up final borders for the Jewish state. It was to be a decisive, unilateral act that would allow Israel to embrace its major settlement blocs, effectively colonies in the occupied West Bank, while dividing itself off once and for all from Palestinians. Settlers pin electoral hopes on Israeli far right Middle East Online 2/4/2009 HEBRON, West Bank - Noam Arnon has little faith in Israeli politicians but hopes next week’s election will yield a shift to the right and ease what he says is the plight of Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank. "The reality in the settlements is worse than ever before. The government does not allow for natural growth," says Arnon, a Jewish settler in the Palestinian West Bank city of Hebron. He sat in a Jewish restaurant by the steps that lead to the Tomb of the Patriarchs, holy to both Jews and Muslims. A few metres (yards) away is the Jewish enclave where some 600 illegal settlers live under heavy Israeli military occupation protection, surrounded by 170,000 Palestinians (the original inhabitants of the land). "We hope the elections will make a difference," says Arnon, a leader of Hebron’s Jewish settlement, one of the most contentious in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Lieberman was a member of the Kach Terrorist Group Saed Bannoura & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 2/4/2009 Israeli online daily, Haaretz, reported Tuesday that Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Betinu Party and a current candidate for Prime Minister in the upcoming elections, was a member of the Kach terrorist group which is outlawed by Israel. Yossi Dayan, secretary-general of the movement, said that when Lieberman first immigrated into Israel, he joined the movement, and Dayan himself was the person who issued his membership ID card. At the time, Lieberman emigrated from Moldovia, and became an active member in the movement. Dayan added that he is willing to testify in front of any committee to confirm his statements, and added that Lieberman was a Kach member for a short period. Also, Ultra-nationalist activist, Avigdor Eskin, said that he met Lieberman several times at the movement’s office in Jerusalem, Haaretz reported. Netanyahu vows to topple Hamas Al Jazeera 2/4/2009 Benyamin Netanyahu, widely tipped to become Israel’s prime minister after elections next week, has vowed to topple the Hamas movement in Gaza, calling the Palestinian group an "Iranian proxy". Addressing the annual Herzliya security conference on Wednesday, Netanyahu said: "In the end of the day there will be no choice but to remove the Iranian threat in Gaza. "There will be no escape from toppling the Hamas regime which is the Iranian proxy in the Gaza Strip," he said. "This is the real threat we are facing. "If I’m elected, the biggest, most important task of my government will be to fend off the Iranian threat in all aspects," he said. "It will oblige us to work on all fronts, including harnessing the US administration to stop the threat. Balad vows to fight Zionism from within Sharon Roffe-Ofir, YNetNews 2/5/2009 Arab leaders mull elections boycott; activist says ’there is no such thing as Jewish democracy’ - To vote or not to vote? That was the dilemma confronted by members of Arab factions not running in the elections during a conference in Sakhnin Wednesday. The panel, summoned by the Sakhnin Municipality, was opened by the city’s mayor, who said that those who refrain from voting will be boosting far Right parties. Awad al-Fatah, secretary-general of Balad, said he is in favor of voting. "I would be the last to scorn the call to boycott (the elections. ) We are not arguing with the Village Sons about historical data. Israel was indeed established on the ruins of the Palestinian people evicted from their land," he said. "Yet what are our weapons when Israel is already an existing fact? " "The elections are part of the means available the us; we seek to fight Zionism within its own home," he said. Jews who support Arab parties: We seek true equality YNetNews 2/4/2009 Balad, United Arab List-Ta’al boast small but loyal Jewish electorate, which they hope to increase in upcoming elections. ’Balad’s platform talks of full civil equality and I believe this is the right track,’ says one supporter - Although their electorate is predominately Arab, the Balad and United Arab List-Ta’al parties also boast a loyal Jewish support base, which they are hoping to expand in the upcoming elections. Some 1,000 Israeli Jews voted for Balad in the previous elections, while United Arab List-Ta’al won the support of several hundred Jewish voters. Dr. Amnon Raz-Karkotzkin, a history professor at Ben Gurion University, plans to vote for Balad on February 10. "The ongoing incitement against Balad stems from a fear of equality, which is why Azmi Bishara is being persecuted," he stated. Barak: Build Tunnel Linking West Bank and Gaza Haaretz, MIFTAH 2/4/2009 Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday proposed the construction of a 30-mile tunnel that would connect the northern Gaza Strip with the southern West Bank, thus enabling freedom of movement between the two disjointed Palestinian territories. While stumping on the campaign trail before students at Ben-Gurion University in Be’er Sheva, Barak said it was possible to dig the tunnel, which would remain under Israeli sovereignty while the Palestinians would maintain authority over the corridor’s traffic. The defense minister and Labor Party chairman said the project would cost between $2-3 million, “a reasonable sum. ” Barak devoted a significant portion of his statements to politics, criticizing his main rival in the upcoming parliamentary election Kadima. “What new politics is Kadima bringing us? ” Barak said. “Kadima was unable to remake itself and so it will be unable to remake the entire country. The question is not who speaks more eloquently but who is capable of getting things done. ” Elections 2009 / Election candidates take their campaign to Tel Aviv night spots Roni Singer-Heruti, Ha’aretz 2/5/2009 Major intersections were always an important arena in Israeli election campaigns, but this time around, distributing fliers to impatient drivers has been replaced by downing shots in popular pubs. It appears that every self-respecting bar in Tel Aviv has been visited by politicians, generally from the three largest parties. Last night, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni hit the dance floor at Tel Aviv’s Haoman 17 along with fellow Kadima members Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, Finance Minister Roni Bar-On and MK Tzachi Hanegbi. The head of the party’s youth campaign, MK Yohanan Plesner, is planning pub crawls for candidates locales including Jerusalem and Ashkelon. " There’s an electricity in the air" at these events, Plesner said. "It’s not pathetic, because no one tries to be something they’re not. Netanyahu vows to end Hamas rule in Gaza Ma’an News Agency 2/4/2009 Bethlehem – Ma’an/Agencies – Israel’s prime ministerial frontrunner, Benyamin Netanyahu, vowed to remove Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, calling the group an "Iranian proxy. " Addressing the annual Herzliya security conference, Netanyahu said, "Hamas is not a terror organization that will stop if we deal it a few blows. It’s a fanatic religious movement supported by a fanatic religious Iranian regime. So if we want to stop rockets from Gaza, there is no choice but to uproot the Iranian regime in Gaza. " "If I’m elected, the biggest, most important task of my government will be to fend off the Iranian threat in all aspects," he said. "It will oblige us to work on all fronts, including harnessing the US administration to stop the threat," he added. Netanyahu is the leader Israel’s right-wing Likud party, which is leading in opinion polls going into next Tuesday’s parliamentary election. Lieberman barrels into elections on strongman image Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/5/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel’s Avigdor Lieberman, much-needed iron fist to some, racist to others, is steamrolling into elections next week as the poll’s biggest spoiler, set to swing the balance of power sharply to the right. The Soviet immigrant’s ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu (Israel is Our Home) party is poised to become Parliament’s third-largest, nudging out center-left Labor, which ruled Israel for more than half of its 60 years, polls say. "The winning gimmick of the 2009 elections," "the new trend," is how the press has described the pudgy, bearded former nightclub bouncer, whose vitriolic harangues of Palestinian-Israelis have previously earned him monickers of "fascist," "racist" and "embarrassment to democracy. "Prior to the Gaza war, Lieberman’s party was expected to keep to its 11 seats in the 120-member Knesset, most of them thanks to its core support from "Russians," fellow immigrants from the ex-Soviet Union. Mitchell to meet with Abbas on February 26 - Palestinian officials Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 2/5/2009 RAMALLAH, Occupied West Bank: US Middle East envoy George Mitchell will meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on February 26 on his second visit to the region in a month, a Palestinian official said Wednesday. "Mitchell will meet president Abbas in Ramallah on February 26," said the official, who asked not to be named. He had initially said the meeting would take place on February 22. "This second visit since his appointment in January confirms the real interest the administration of President Barack Obama has in a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. " Mitchell’s visit will come 12 days after Israelis vote in an election expected to return to power right-wing former premier Benjamin Netanyahu. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday that Mitchell would return to the Middle East this month. Livni: There’s no such thing as economic peace Lilach Weissman, Globes Online 2/3/2009 "A Palestinian state is the national answer for Arab-Israeli citizens who identify with the Palestinian people. " - Kadima chairwoman and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni today ridiculed Likud chairman MK Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that he would pursue "economic peace" if elected prime minister in next week’s elections. In a presentation at "Globes" today, Livni asked, "What is economic peace? What is this drivel? There’s no such thing. Netanyahu is laundering words. " Livni added, "We all know that we must invest in the Palestinian Authority and that it’s necessary to have more projects with them and economic assistance, but that won’t solve the conflict. Ultimately, the other side has national ambitions. " As for Netanyahu’s comments, Livni said, "With such words, you can’t tell the world that Israel wants peace. . . " Abbas promotes Gaza plan in France Al Jazeera 2/4/2009 Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has held talks in Paris with Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, over Palestinian reconciliation, the crisis in Gaza and the Middle East peace process. Abbas, who arrived in the French capital on Monday, appealed for help from the European Union in creating a unity government. He offered to work with the winner of Israel’s parliamentary elections scheduled for February 10. The Palestinian president said: "The role that is always required from the European Union, past, present and future, is financial support for the national authority. "We want the European Union to have a political role that complements the role of the quartet in the region. "Opportunity - Abbas said: "We will work with anyone the Israelis choose, but on the condition that they don’t bring us back to the starting point. " Hamas says Israel manipulating projectile concerns Ma’an News Agency 2/1/2009 Gaza – Ma’an – The Hamas-led Palestinian government in Gaza on Sunday accused Israel of falsifying projectile launches to sabotage Egyptian truce efforts, a spokesperson said. Egypt has been strenuously negotiating between various Palestinian factions in a bid to end disunity that began in 2007, but Hamas spokesperson Taher An-Nunu said Sunday that Israel wants to prevent that possibility. He also said recent statements by outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were designed to force Hamas into accepting a one-sided ceasefire deal for the purposes of strengthening Israeli candidate Tzipi Livni’s bid for his seat in upcoming Israeli elections on 10 February. “These statements are for purely electoral reasons,” An-Nunu said, calling on factions to respect the opinions of a Palestinians, in general, rather than dictates from the Israeli military. Israel’s Netanyahu rejects evacuation of settlers Middle East Online 1/30/2009 TEL AVIV - Hardline former premier Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to evacuate illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank if he is named prime minister after February 10 elections, Haaretz daily reported on Friday. Netanyahu, the frontrunner for the parliamentary elections, insisted he would not be tied by any pledge made by outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to withdraw illegal settlers from the occupied Palestinian territory. "I will not keep Olmert’s commitments to withdraw and I won’t evacuate settlements. Those understandings are invalid and unimportant," the newspaper quoted Netanyahu as saying. Olmert told visiting US peace envoy George Mitchell earlier this week that Israel had offered in negotiations with the Palestinians to remove 60,000 settlers from the West Bank, according to Yediot Aharonot newspaper. U.S. envoy Mitchell: Mideast peace process faces substantial hurdles Barak Ravid and Reuters, Ha’aretz 1/31/2009 United States Mideast envoy George Mitchell said on Friday the new U. S. administration’s push for Israeli-Palestinian peace after the war in the Gaza Strip faced substantial hurdles, and he predicted further setbacks. The somber assessment by former U. S. Senator George Mitchell followed two days of talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders about shoring up a shaky cease-fire that ended Israel’s 22-day offensive on Gaza. Mitchell said consolidating the truce and "addressing immediately the humanitarian needs" of Gaza’s 1. 5 million residents were the Obama administration’s priorities. "Then we must move forward," he added, apparently referring to stalled peace talks that have now been derailed by the war. Earlier on Friday, Mitchell told Likud Chair Benjamin Netanyahu he plans to return to Israel shortly after February’s general elections. Troika to Mitchell: We will respond to any Hamas violation Barak Ravid, Ha’aretz 1/29/2009 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told United States Mideast envoy George Mitchell that Israel would respond to every Hamas violation of the cease-fire, be they rocket attacks, strikes along the border fence or smuggling through tunnels. Mitchell told Israeli officials that the new administration was committed to Israel’s security, to the road map, and to the 2004 letter by president George W. Bush stating Palestinian refugees would not return to Israel and the border between Israel and the Palestinian Authority would take into consideration facts on the ground, meaning large settlement blocs would remain in Israeli hands. A government source in Jerusalem said yesterday that it was understood during talks with Mitchell that President Barack Obama expects Israel and the Palestinian Authority to renew diplomatic talks right after elections here. Obama’s initiative: Denmark conference on Gaza smuggling Roni Sofer, YNetNews 1/27/2009 Next week will see meeting of representatives from US, EU, Israel and possibly Egypt in Copenhagen for in-depth discussion of arms smuggling from Sinai into Gaza - US President Barack Obama has no intention of waiting for the general elections in Israel before tackling one of the region’s most contentious problems. Ynet has learned that a meeting of high-ranking officials on arms smuggling into Gaza is shaping up to take place as early as next week in Denmark. Expected participants include European nations, Israel and possibly Egypt. President Obama vowed he would work aggressively to advance the process between Israel and the Palestinians, and this initiative is focused primarily on stabilizing the ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist Hamas. Obama, officials in Jerusalem say, wants to make it clear that the US is present, active and adamant. . . Livni: Gaza offensive chance for Mideast peace George Rishmawi, International Middle East Media Center News 1/26/2009 Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni said on Monday that the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip opened new chances for peace in the Middle East, the AFP reported. Livni’s comments came as US President Barack Obama’s newly-appointed Mideast envoy George Mitchell is expected to arrive in the region. Livni argues that the offensive weakened Hamas and boosted what she described as the "Moderates among the Palestinians. " It is only two weeks until Israel’s general elections for which Livni is running for Prime Minister, which raises speculations about political achievements she is trying to make out of the gaza warfare. On the other hand, political analysts say, the offensive on the Gaza Strip strengthened Hamas and enhanced its popularity. The groups is still able to bring weapons to Gaza and until the last moement of Israel’s offensive, Hamas was still able. . . Israeli poll: Killing Palestinians shortest way to winning elections Palestinian Information Center 1/26/2009 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- An Israeli opinion poll has displayed that the shortest way to win general elections in Israel was to kill the biggest possible number of Palestinians. The poll published by Hebrew daily Ha’aretz on Sunday indicated that the right wing parties in Israel would secure 64 seats in any current elections, which would bring Benjamin Netanyahu to the premiership. The Israeli war minister Ehud Barak also enjoyed soaring popularity with 70% favoring him in the poll after the war on Gaza while before the war his popularity was only 53%, the paper noted. Israeli foreign minister and leader of the Kadima party Tzipi Livni had warned that a new Israeli government with Netanyahu as premier would be on a collision course with the new American administration. Meanwhile, the same paper said that a number of issues were not solved yet despite the end of the war on. . . Fatah faithful rally to support Abbas, with harsh rhetoric for Hamas Ma’an News Agency 1/25/2009 Jenin – Ma’an – The Fatah movement staged a rally in the West Bank city of Jenin on Sunday in support of President Mahmoud Abbas and in denunciation of the “killings and tortures by Hamas against Fatah members in Gaza. ”The rally was attended by Rafiq Al-Huseini, head of President’s Office in addition to other senior Fatah leaders from as far away as Gaza. The demonstrators chanted slogans in support of Abbas and carried Palestinian flags, pictures of president Abbas and of the late Palestinian leader Yasser ArafatSpeaking to the rally, Rafiq Al-Huseini called for national unity among Palestinians in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip inside Israeli and in the Diaspora. He also called for new to parliamentary and presidential elections. He denounced “what Hamas is doing including shooting at Fatah members in Gaza preventing them from acting in resistance [to Israeli occupation] and sending them to jail. Nonviolent resistance in southern Bethlehem calls for national unity to combat occupation Najib Farrag, Palestine News Network 1/23/2009 Bethlehem -- Demonstrations in the West Bank today confirmed the desire of the people for national reconciliation. The call has not wavered in the two years since the Fateh and Hamas parties split over elections results. In southern Bethlehem’s Al Masara and Umm Salamuna villages, Palestinians protested the Israeli takeover of their land. All violations of international law are exacerbated, demonstrators said on Friday, due to the internal split. "It is only through reconciliation that we can truly fight this," organizer Mohammad Briggia said today. "Divided we are an easier target. "As media spokesperson for the Popular Committee against the Wall in the Southern Villages, Briggia paid tribute to the "Palestinian resistance and the masses of our people in the Gaza Strip who fought the Israeli war machine and called for the realization of national unity, a split that works only in the interest of Israel. " Demonstrators urge Olmert to ’finish the job, bring Shalit home’ Ronen Medzini, YNetNews 1/23/2009 Dozens gather in outside PM’s Jerusalem residence, demand he live up to promise to bring about kidnapped soldier’s release before his term ends -Some 50 people gathered outside Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s official residence in Jerusalem Friday and demanded that he live up to his promise to bring kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit home before the conclusion of his term. Israel’s general elections are scheduled for February 10. "Olmert, finish the job and bring Shalit back," the protestors chanted. Shalit was captured by Palestinian terrorists during a cross-border raid on an IDF base near Gaza on June 25, 2006. Guy Eliasif, of the Headquarters for the Release of Gilad Shalit told Ynet "it is time for (Olmert) to make a brave decision and bring an end to this affair. "Another demonstrator said "especially now, after we’ve pulled. . . Rightwing opposition set to win Israel elections Middle East Online 1/23/2009 TEL AVIV - Rightwing opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu looks set to profit from Israel’s military assault on the Gaza Strip, stretching his lead in the polls for the February 10 elections. The Likud party chairman totally opposes an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 and is campaigning on a platform of security for Israelis. Traditional rightwing leitmotifs such as Greater Israel or the spread of illegal Israeli settlements are kept well in the background. The 22-day Operation Cast Lead against Gaza may have been considered a military success for Israel but the ruling Kadima party of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has not reaped the benefits. The opposition, which opposed Israel’s 2005 withdrawal from Gaza and the dismantling of illegal settlements, cheered the December 27 launch of the assault saying, "we told you so". Obama: We will aggressively seek lasting Middle East peace Barak Ravid and Natasha Mozgovaya, Ha’aretz 1/23/2009 President Barack Obama’s newly minted Mideast envoy George Mitchell will arrive in Israel even before the Knesset elections on February 10, a senior government source said. According to Obama, it "will be the policy of my administration to actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians as well as Israel and its Arab neighbors," he said yesterday. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni spoke with U. S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and told her Israel would not open the Gaza crossings without progress toward the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. Over the past several weeks, particularly after Operation Cast Lead began, Obama and his staff reiterated their intention to become very involved in the Middle East, especially on the Palestinian issue. Report: Most Israeli ministers want prisoner swap Ma’an News Agency 1/22/2009 Bethlehem – Ma’an – Senior Israeli analysts said the public atmosphere within the country has shifted to support prisoner swaps with Hamas in exchange for captured soldier Gilad Shalit. Television commentator Ehud Ye’ari warned of “believing Palestinian news outlets that say this swap could happen within three weeks or before Israeli elections,” noting that “it’s not that quick. ”“Although Hamas wants in, getting Turkey and Syria involved in brokering this deal” would remove Egypt as a major negotiator, he added. Channel Two reported that “Israel is convinced that it should approve the list of prisoners of those sentences for life terms,” but did not reveal names of any prisoners under consideration. Hadash Web sites proves two-faced in view on Gaza war Yoav Stern, Ha’aretz 1/23/2009 The Hadash party’s Internet sites offer different messages about the recent war in Gaza depending on whether you view them in Hebrew or Arabic. In Arabic, the site quotes a senior party official proclaiming "We are with the resistance everywhere" - a statement that could be interpreted as support for Palestinian terror organizations. In contrast, the party’s two Hebrew-language Web sites denounce the war without expressing support for terrorist organizations. This policy was discovered - and lambasted - by activists from a smaller Jewish-Arab party, Da’am. An article by one Da’am supporter accused Hadash of running two contradictory campaigns, one for Jews and the other for Arabs. Da’am, incidentally, received a mere few thousand votes in the last elections - not nearly enough to enter the Knesset. Iran: Palestinian resistance has the right to arms Ma’an News Agency 1/21/2009 Bethlehem – Ma’an/Agencies – Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Tuesday that Palestinian resistance groups should have the right to weapons. Mottaki said during a televised speech from Tehran that Israel is well armed, and that it would therefore be wrong to deny Palestinians the right to arm themselves. In the speech, the Iranian minister was rejecting an attempt by the United States and Israel to stop alleged arms smuggling from Iran to Hamas in Gaza. Mottaki did not explicitly say that Iran had supplied weapons to Hamas in the past or would in the future. The minister also called for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to be tried for war crimes. He also said that Palestinians should unite and put an end to their internal conflict, calling for new Palestinian presidential elections, as the current president, Mahmoud Abbas, finished his term earlier in January. Kuwait summit: Abbas presses Arab world for action; Egypt, Saudi Arabia promise support Ma’an News Agency 1/20/2009 Bethlehem – Ma’an – Addressing the Kuwait Summit Monday acting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stressed the need for an all-factions talk in Cairo, so a long term agreement over Gaza and government can be reached soon. “What we need now,” Abbas said, “is a temporary national government that can take upon itself the duty of facing this humanitarian disaster. ” The new government would lift the siege, open borders and begin the reconstruction process in Gaza while preparing the country for simultaneous legislative and presidential elections with national agreement. The Israeli war on Gaza will “not go away,” he said, “Despite the excuses and cover-ups” that the Israeli military and government leaders have constructed. ”“We have not heard until now any rational voice that understands [Israel’s] motives” for the war in Gaza, Abbas noted. Turkish PM: we call for democracy but do not respect choice PNN, Palestine News Network 1/19/2009 Brussels - As international and regional meetings are underway focusing on the situation in the Gaza Strip, a number of which do not include Hamas, the Turkish Prime Minister warned against marginalizing the party. Recep Tayyip Erdogan called today on the international community to respect Hamas’s position and the election results. "We must refrain from marginalizing the party after the ceasefire was declared by both Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza. " Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan told a conference in Brussels organized by the European think-tank Policy Center, "We should not push them into a corner because this will only strengthen extremism. "Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative Council elections held in the Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2006. The Turkish Prime Minister said, "If we want to advance democracy in this region, we must respect the decision of the people who went to the polls. Arab leaders urge Fatah, Hamas to reconcile Avi Issacharoff, Ha’aretz 1/20/2009 The leaders of the Arab world called on the rival Palestinian factions yesterday to reconcile and achieve national unity. Speaking at an Arab summit in Kuwait on restoration efforts in Gaza, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said representatives of the factions should meet in Cairo "under the wings of the Egyptian people and its president, Hosni Mubarak, and work out an agreement - even if it takes thousands of hours. " He said the Palestinians needed a national consensus to cope with the "human disaster" in Gaza. This would help open the crossings, lift the blockade, restore infrastructure and pave the way for presidential and parliamentary elections. Hamas’ position on holding reconciliation talks with Fatah, which it ousted from power in Gaza in a bloody coup in 2007, remains unclear. Forming a national-unity government with Fatah means Hamas would have to be a partner to. . . Abbas in Kuwait: Need new temporary government leading to simultaneous presidential and legislative elections Ma’an News Agency 1/19/2009 Bethlehem - Ma’an - Speaking to the assembled nations at the Arab League summit in Kuwait, acting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his hopes for elections in Palestine. He explained that a new interim government made of agreed upon figures from all parties must be constructed. This government will lead the country as it prepares to hold simultaneous presidential and legislative elections. This is the only way, he explained, to ensure unity and governmental legitimacy. Abbas, who took office four years ago on 9 January 2005, has remained in the office of President after his four-year term expired. [end] Hamas: We will never accept the presence of IOF troops in Gaza Palestinian Information Center 1/18/2009 GAZA, (PIC)-- In its comment on Israeli unilateral ceasefire claims, the Hamas Movement on Saturday highlighted that it would never condone the presence of any Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip under any circumstances. In a statement broadcast by Al-Aqsa satellite channel, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum underlined that his Movement would never accept less than stopping the Israeli aggression, full withdrawal of IOF troops from Gaza, lifting the siege and opening the crossings. Barhoum said that Israel’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire bore out that the war was waged by only one side and in one direction, adding that the Israeli war on Gaza has nothing to do with Palestinian rockets or the resistance as much as it is a cheap employment of the blood of women, children and civilians in the coming Israeli elections. Arab Israelis caught between fear and rebellion Middle East Online 1/17/2009 SAKHNIN, Israel - The Gaza crisis has left Israeli Arabs caught between a fear of voicing solidarity with the Palestinians and an urge to condemn the onslaught fuelled by a ban on two of their parties from next month’s elections. "Our state is at war with our Palestinian nation," said Gazal Abu Raya, an Arab Israeli and head of the Jewish-Arab Institute for Peace in Sakhnin, in the northern Galilee region. Sakhnin, which has an Arab population of 25,000, was the site of a demonstration of over 100,000 people on January 3 to protest the Israeli offensive in Gaza a week after it began. As the death toll has spiralled, spontaneous protests against the war have multiplied in Galilee -- home to around half of the 1. 4 million-strong Arab Israeli community, which makes up about 20 percent of Israel’s population. Hamas interior minister reported dead in Gaza attack Jo Adetunji, Peter Walker, Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem and agencies, The Guardian 1/15/2009 A senior Hamas leader was killed in Gaza today in an Israeli air strike on the Jabaliya refugee camp, Hamas officials said. Saeed Seyyam, the group’s interior minister, was killed in the attack on a house during one of the heaviest bombardments of Gaza in Israel’s military operation so far. Palestinian sources told Reuters the house had been rented by his brother, who was also reportedly killed in the attack along with Seyyam’s son. The attack flattened the house, leaving a large crater in the ground, Hamas officials said. Seyyam was appointed after the Palestinian elections in 2006 and was in charge of 13,000 Hamas police and security men. Speaking on al-Jazeera television, Mohammed Nazzal, a Hamas official, said there would be revenge for Seyyam’s death. "The blood of Saeed Seyyam will be a curse on the Zionist entity," he said. -- See also: VIDEO - Israel bombs UNRWA HQ in Gaza Balad chair: Abbas refuses to condemn Gaza ’slaughter’ Sharon Roffe-Ofir, YNetNews 1/15/2009 MK Zahalka lashes out at Arab parties willing to support Livni, Barak despite ’blood on their hands’ - Balad Chairman Jamal Zahalka, whose party was disqualified from the national elections earlier this week, slammed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for refraining from condemning Israeli leaders for the operation in Gaza. Speaking at a Shefaram conference Wednesday, Zahalka said, "Abbas is doing nothing. He is just watching from the sidelines. He must decide if he wants to be chairman of the PLO or chairman of Ramallah. " During the conference, intended to show support for the people of Gaza, Zahalka claimed the Palestinian president must answer appeals from rights organizations and sign a petition demanding Israeli leaders be tried in international court for the "slaughter in Gaza". Meshaal rips Israel for ’holocaust ... of children, of innocents’ Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 1/12/2009 DAMASCUS: Hamas supremo Khaled Meshaal on Saturday slammed Israel’s assault on Gaza as a "holocaust" in which the blood of Palestinian children was being shed to bolster prospects in next month’s Israeli elections. "The enemy has failed by creating a real holocaust on the soil of Gaza," Meshaal, who lives in exile in Syria, said in a pre-recorded statement aired on satellite television stations Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiyya. "Palestinian blood has become a means to win elections," Meshaal said, addressing the Israeli people whose leaders are to face off in general elections on February 10. He also argued that the military campaign had been a failure. "What did you achieve through this war. . . other than the killing of children, of innocents? "Meshaal asked the Israeli leadership. "You have lost on the moral and humanitarian fronts. Meshaal brands failed Gaza offensive a ’Holocaust’ Middle East Online 1/11/2009 DAMASCUS - Hamas supremo Khaled Meshaal on Saturday slammed Israel’s assault on Gaza as a "Holocaust" in which the blood of Palestinian children was being shed to bolster prospects in next month’s Israeli elections. "The enemy has failed by creating a real Holocaust on the soil of Gaza," Meshaal, who lives in exile in Syria, said in a pre-recorded statement aired on Arab satellite televisions Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya. "Palestinian blood has become a means to win elections," he said, addressing the Israeli people whose leaders are to face off in general elections on February 10. Meshaal said the military campaign had been a failure. "What did you achieve through this war. . . other than the killing of children, of innocents? "he asked the Israeli leadership. "You have lost on the moral and humanitarian fronts. All eyes on Rafah Amira Howeidy, Al-Ahram Weekly 1/8/2009 Egypt is under pressure to open the only exit from Gaza not under Israeli control. - The Israeli siege on Gaza continues to torment civiliansThe Egyptian government has adopted a defensive posture since its decision to keep the Rafah border crossing closed came under attack as Israel’s war on Gaza, begun on 27 December, escalated. In the course of a week President Hosni Mubarak addressed the issue twice. He said that Egypt will not open the border because Gaza is an occupied territory and remains, therefore, the responsibility of Israel, the occupying force. A few days later he said that Egypt would not open the border "in the absence of the Palestinian Authority and European monitors", a reference to the 2005 border agreement formulated between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel a year before the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections brought Hamas to power. The agreement expired a year after it went into effect and has not been renewed since. PA Chief of Staff: Abbas remains legitimate Palestinian leader; talks in Cairo show progress Ma’an News Agency 1/10/2009 Ramallah – Ma’an - Chief of Staff for the Palestinian Authority Dr Rafiq Al-Husseini announced Saturday that Mahmoud Abbas will remain in his role as Palestinian President until legislative and presidential elections are held. Those with complaints about the situation, said Al-Huseini, can challenge the decision in the Palestinian High Court of Justice and file a complaint. He added that under the current situation in Gaza, now was not an appropriate time to address the issue of the legitimacy of Abbas’ term. The comments came during a press conference in the Presidential compound in Ramallah, where Al-Husseini also announced the postponement of the start of the “Al-Quds Capital of Arab Culture” celebrations. The events, due to start in January, are now set for March. Several factions have contested the legitimacy of Abbas to remain in his role as President after 9 January, which is when his official four year term ended. Hizbullah didn’t launch rockets, but didn’t stop them either - analysts Rana Moussaoui, Daily Star 1/10/2009 Agence France Presse - BEIRUT: This week’s rocket attack from southern Lebanon on northern Israel is an isolated incident likely carried out by a radical Palestinian faction but with the tacit approval of Hizbullah, analysts say. "For sure this is not the work of a Lebanese group," Osama Safa, head of the Lebanese Centre for Policy Studies, told AFP. "All the Lebanese factions, including Hizbullah, want to maintain a minimum of stability, especially ahead of the June legislative elections. " He noted that Hizbullah’s style was not to fire "rusty rockets" just to provoke Israel. "Either they launch a major operation or they do nothing," he said. Still, Safa and several other analysts said Thursday’s attack could not have taken place without the indirect backing of Hizbullah, which controls much of southern Lebanon. 7,000 Palestinians join largest Hamas rally in three years in Israeli-controlled area of Hebron Ma’an News Agency 1/9/2009 Hebron – Ma’an – More than 7,000 Palestinians marched in an Israeli-controlled area of Hebron in the largest Hamas demonstration in the West Bank since the Islamic movement won Parliamentary elections nearly three years ago. Hamas chose to stage the demonstration in the H2 area of Hebron, which is heavily patrolled by the Israeli military, after the Palestinian Authority refused to allow the march in the H1 area, which it controls. According to medics at Muhammad Ali Hospital in H2, 20 demonstrators were treated for injuries after Israeli forces opened fire on the crowd with rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas. The march left the Wasaya Rasoul Al-Allah Mosque after the noon prayer. Angry protesters denouncing the Israeli invasion of Gaza marched towards the flashpoint Ibrahimi Mosque, where Israeli soldiers are stationed and right-wing Jewish settlers maintain a presence. Timeline: Gaza crisis Al Jazeera 1/9/2009 June 19: An Egyptian-brokered six-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas comes into force. November 5: Israel closes all of its crossings with Gaza. December 14: Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal announces the six-month ceasefire with Israel will not be extended. December 19: Six-month ceasefire between Hamas and Israel officially expires. December 21: Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister, says that her primary goal if she wins Israeli elections, will be to overthrow Hamas. December 27: Israel begins assault on Gaza, codenamed "Operation Cast Lead," by launching air raids that kill more than 225 Palestinians. One Israeli is killed and six others wounded in missile attacks by Palestinian fighters. December 28: Israeli aircraft bomb the Islamic University in Gaza City and the length of the Gaza-Egypt border, taking out more than 40 tunnels used to smuggle vital goods to the strip. Gaza invasion: latest news Matthew Weaver, The Guardian 1/8/2009 As the death toll among Palestinians passes 700, rockets have been fired from Lebanon into northern Israel prompting fears that the conflict in Gaza could spread - 8. 19am: Palestinian medical officials in the northern Gaza Strip said an Israeli air strike killed three members of a rocket-launching squad from Islamic Jihad. They said the air strike occurred in a crowded area about 150m from a hospital, according to Associated Press (AP). 8. 42am: No group has yet claimed responsibility for the rocket attack from Lebanon, but the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz blames Hezbollah backed by Iran. It says: Hezbollah is too sophisticated to claim responsibility for Thursday’s rocket fire. Elections in Lebanon are scheduled to take place in about six months, and Hezbollah does not want to be perceived as the party that once again disrupted the relative calm the country has experienced. Bush plan beat obstacle to Gaza assault Gareth Porter, Asia Times 1/7/2009 WASHINGTON - Until mid-2007, there was a serious political obstacle to a massive conventional war by Israel against Hamas in Gaza: the fact that Hamas had won free and fair elections for the Palestinian parliament and was still the leading faction in a fully legitimate government. But the George W Bush administration helped Israel eliminate that obstacle, by deliberately provoking Hamas to seize power. That plan was aimed at getting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to dissolve the democratically elected Hamas government - something Bush had tried unsuccessfully to do for many months. Hamas won 56% of the seats in the Palestinian parliament in the January 2006 elections, and the following month, the Palestinian Legislative Council voted for a new government under Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. The Bush administration immediately began to use its control over the "Quartet" (the US, Jordan and Egypt should take over Palestine - Bolton Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 1/6/2009 WASHINGTON: Former acting US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said Monday that settling the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of a two-state solution was no longer workable and suggested splitting Palestine between Egypt and Jordan. "Let’s start by recognizing that trying to create a Palestinian Authority from the old PLO [Palestine Liberation Organization] has failed and that any two-state solution based on the PA is stillborn," Bolton wrote in The Washington Post. "Hamas has killed the idea, and even the Holy Land is good for only one resurrection. "Hamas won parliamentary elections deemed fair by international observers in 2006 but was boycotted by the West for refusing to give up armed resistance against Israeli occupation. A two-state solution has been officially adopted as the basis for solving the Middle East conflict by all interested parties, including Israel and the administration of US President George W. POLITICS: Bush Plan Eliminated Obstacle to Gaza Assault Analysis by Gareth Porter, Inter Press Service 1/6/2009 WASHINGTON, Jan 5(IPS) - Until mid-2007, there was a serious political obstacle to a massive conventional war by Israel against Hamas in Gaza: the fact that Hamas had won free and fair elections for the Palestinian parliament and was still the leading faction in a fully legitimate government. But the George W. Bush administration helped Israel eliminate that obstacle by deliberately provoking Hamas to seize power in Gaza. That plan was aimed at getting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to dissolve the democratically elected Hamas government -- something Bush had tried unsuccessfully to do for many months. Hamas won 56 percent of the seats in the Palestinian parliament in the January 2006 elections, and the following month, the Palestinian Legislative Council voted for a new government under Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. Fatah party of Abbas: Israeli ground attack on Gaza won’t bring security Rami Almeghari&Agencies, International Middle East Media Center News 1/3/2009 The rival Fatah party of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, stated this evening that the Israeli ground offensive on Gaza won’t bring security to Israelis. Fahmi Aza’reer, spokesman of Fatah in the West Bank, was quoted as saying "any Israeli attempt to reoccupy the Gaza Strip won’t make the Palestinian people succumb to the Israeli occupation",. The spokesman called on the international community to take the responsibility immediately by stopping what he termed the Israeli massacres against the Palestinian people and ensuring a ceasefire. The Fatah party has been at loggerheads with the ruling Hamas party in Gaza , since Hamas took over power after 2006’s parliamentary elections. President Abbas outlawed Hamas after the party seized control of Gaza amidst factional fighting with his Fatah party in June2007. Profile: Hamas Al Jazeera 1/4/2009 Hamas, the Palestinian political movement that controls Gaza, rose to international prominence following its armed campaign against Israel during the second intifada, or uprising, which began in 2000. The organisation, founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the pan-Arab Muslim Brotherhood movement, had already achieved widespread popularity in the Palestinian territories for its resistance to the Israeli military occupation and for its social programmes. The pinnacle of that popularity came in January 2006, when the movement won a stunning victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections. But the years since then, marked by a crippling international embargo, internal conflict with rivals Fatah, and Israeli attacks on its members, have proved a testing time for the organisation. Majority of Israelis favour keeping up Gaza strikes Middle East Online 1/1/2009 TEL AVIV - More than two-thirds of Israelis are in favour of keeping up air strikes against the Gaza Strip, according to a survey published Thursday in the Haaretz newspaper. Seventy-one percent of those surveyed on Wednesday, day five of Israel’s aerial onslaught that has left nearly 400 Palestinians dead, supported continuing the air strikes against Gaza. Twenty percent backed launching a ground operation, while the same number supported declaring a ceasefire. Nine percent had no opinion. The poll also showed a surge in popularity for the Labour party of Defence Minister Ehud Barak since the start of the offensive. Labour now looks set to win 16 out of 120 seats in the Knesset in February 10 elections, up from the 12 it was credited with before poll. It holds 19 seats in the current parliament. The right-wing Likud party of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. . . Foreign journalists demand Gaza access Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 12/30/2008 Israel’s supreme court will hear a petition tomorrow brought by the Foreign Press Association, which represents around 400 foreign journalists, demanding that Israel allow reporters into Gaza to cover the latest conflict. The sole pedestrian crossing from Israel into Gaza, at Erez, has remained closed to journalists since Israel’s bombing campaign beganon Saturday. Two years ago, after Hamas won the Palestinian elections, Israeli authorities stopped all Israeli journalists and Palestinian journalists with Israeli identity cards crossing into Gaza, saying it was too dangerous. Last month, as the last ceasefire between Israel and Gaza militant groups began to collapse, the Israeli defence ministry closed the Erez crossing to all foreign journalists as well, citing "security" reasons. Egypt has largely kept its one crossing into Gaza, at Rafah, closed except for in rare medical emergencies, and it too does not allow journalists to cross. Abbas blames Hamas for bloodshed Al Jazeera 12/28/2008 Mahmoud Abbas, the Pales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
