Lieberman: I prefer rightist coalition
Israel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman refused to endorse either Kadima leader Tzipi Livni or Likud head Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, saying rather that his party would be open to hearing from all factions involved in forming the next coalition, but that his party would never give up its core principles.
“We truly hope that one of the dramatic changes in the next government will be a change in the electoral system,” Lieberman said following the exit polls. “We will be open to hearing what others say on this topic.”
“We’ve turned into a significant party, the third largest in Israel,” Lieberman said. “It’s true that Tzipi Livni won a surprise victory. But what is more important is that the right-wing camp won a clear majority… We want a right-wing government. That’s our wish and we don’t hide it.”
“The main argument today is not only over borders, but rather over the character of the State of Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state,” he continued. “These three things must be intertwined.”
“We have a way and principles, and we don’t plan to give them up,” Lieberman said, adding that the most important thing on his agenda was that the new government be decisive in its actions against terror.
In what may prove a twist for coalition talks as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas move into an advanced stage, Lieberman firmly stated that his party would never join a government which permitted Hamas to rule the Gaza Strip.
“We will not agree either directly or indirectly to [Hamas staying] in power,” the Israel Beiteinu leader said. “It doesn’t matter which government is established.”
“Our first goal is clear, to destroy Hamas, to take it down,” he stated. [continued…]
Success of rightist bloc may propel Netanyahu into PM’s chair
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. [continued…]
These elections have proven that even though Israel is a hi-tech powerhouse with a strong army and a functioning democracy, it no longer has the ability to think strategically, act morally and truly manage its own fate. Given that the Palestinians have lost any cohesiveness and have no functioning leadership, the region is likely to deteriorate into chaos and violence. Continue reading
