israel's new extremist government

[dub]

Far right joins Israel coalition

Israel's PM-designate has signed his first coalition deal, which could see controversial right-winger Avigdor Lieberman becoming foreign minister.

Yisrael Beiteinu is a strong supporter of Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, seen as illegal under international law and a major obstacle to a peace deal.

It also advocates a peace deal which jettisons Israeli land populated by Arab citizens and annexes settlements in the West Bank and Mr Lieberman has proposed that Arab citizens sign loyalty oaths or lose their citizenship.

Correspondents say the designation of the former bouncer at a Moldovan nightclub as Israeli foreign minister could harm some of the country's international relations.

Mr Netanyahu also favours a revised peace formula, which concentrates on economic development of autonomous Palestinian areas rather than agreeing territorial deals with the Palestinians.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana has warned Israel that it must work towards a two-state solution to maintain its current international diplomatic support.

"Let me say very clearly that the way the EU will relate to a government [of Israel] that is not committed to a two-state solution would be very different," he said at a news conference.

[M.Dancer]

Absolutely

[Rue]

It's posturing. Netanyahu is threatening to make this man Foreign Minister in an attempt to pressure Tzipi Levni to take back her post. She is holding off until Netanyahu as a price for her cooperation agrees to rotate the Prime Minister's Office between them.

They are staring each other down. This threat to make this guy Foreign Minister is classic gamesmanship.

The back and forth of parties trying to form a coalition is going to go on and be extended for another 3 or so weeks.

So do me a favour come back with the cut and paste jobs in 3 weeks,

If in fact this guy does end up as Foreign Minister then be my guest engage in doom and gloom references.

If he does not and someone more moderate ends up in that office, I won't say I told you so.

Netanyahu is a tough stubborn sob, not stupid. You are mixing the two up. Most people who do not understand Israelis and Israeli politics have a tendency to do that. What is said and what is actually done in Israeli politics are two different things and your taking things at face value I am suggesting probably is not the best way to forecast Israeli political developments. May I suggest you pay less attention to the words and more to the actual actions of the politicians.

Middle East politicians huff and puff whether they be Israeli or Arab. What they actually say behind closed doors when they do not have to appease their masses is another story.

[dub]

It's posturing. Netanyahu is threatening to make this man Foreign Minister in an attempt to pressure Tzipi Levni to take back her post. She is holding off until Netanyahu as a price for her cooperation agrees to rotate the Prime Minister's Office between them.

They are staring each other down. This threat to make this guy Foreign Minister is classic gamesmanship.

The back and forth of parties trying to form a coalition is going to go on and be extended for another 3 or so weeks.

So do me a favour come back with the cut and paste jobs in 3 weeks,

If in fact this guy does end up as Foreign Minister then be my guest engage in doom and gloom references.

If he does not and someone more moderate ends up in that office, I won't say I told you so.

Netanyahu is a tough stubborn sob, not stupid. You are mixing the two up. Most people who do not understand Israelis and Israeli politics have a tendency to do that. What is said and what is actually done in Israeli politics are two different things and your taking things at face value I am suggesting probably is not the best way to forecast Israeli political developments. May I suggest you pay less attention to the words and more to the actual actions of the politicians.

Middle East politicians huff and puff whether they be Israeli or Arab. What they actually say behind closed doors when they do not have to appease their masses is another story.

kadima was marketed as centrist party who worked with labour, marketed as a leftist party. look at what they've done: attack lebanon and gaza and killed thousands of civilians and demolished homes and lives. they've also continued to increase the settlements.

imagine a coalition with bibi and lieberman.

[eyeball]

It's posturing. Netanyahu is threatening to make this man Foreign Minister in an attempt to pressure Tzipi Levni to take back her post. She is holding off until Netanyahu as a price for her cooperation agrees to rotate the Prime Minister's Office between them.

They are staring each other down. This threat to make this guy Foreign Minister is classic gamesmanship.

The back and forth of parties trying to form a coalition is going to go on and be extended for another 3 or so weeks.

So do me a favour come back with the cut and paste jobs in 3 weeks,

If in fact this guy does end up as Foreign Minister then be my guest engage in doom and gloom references.

If he does not and someone more moderate ends up in that office, I won't say I told you so.

Netanyahu is a tough stubborn sob, not stupid. You are mixing the two up. Most people who do not understand Israelis and Israeli politics have a tendency to do that. What is said and what is actually done in Israeli politics are two different things and your taking things at face value I am suggesting probably is not the best way to forecast Israeli political developments. May I suggest you pay less attention to the words and more to the actual actions of the politicians.

Middle East politicians huff and puff whether they be Israeli or Arab. What they actually say behind closed doors when they do not have to appease their masses is another story.

I think its fair to say the masses like to huff and puff too. Whether they support one or the other. Its like some teleological inversion of appeasment.

[ironstone]

This is downright silly.Israel's new government extremist!!?I don't think you would know an extremist government even if they started lobbing rockets in the general direction of your home.Does that sound like anyone we know?