Faith

Netanyahu Calls Off Israel‘s Parliamentary Elections In Stunning ’Unity Gov‘t’ Deal With Opposition Party

Netanyahu Calls Off Parliamentary Elections In Unity Government Deal With Opposition Party

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Kadima party leader Shaul Mofaz shake hands before holding a joint press conference announcing the new coalition government, in Jerusalem, Tuesday, May 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a revamped coalition government on Tuesday, forming a broad alliance with the chief opposition party that could free his hand to take action on peace with the Palestinians and decide whether to attack Iran.

In a stunning reversal, Netanyahu called off plans to hold early parliamentary elections and struck an agreement with the rival Kadima Party. Netanyahu now presides over a coalition with 94 seats in the 120-member parliament, one of the broadest governments in Israeli history.

Netanyahu Calls Off Parliamentary Elections In Unity Government Deal With Opposition Party

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu and Kadima’s leader, Shaul Mofaz, appeared together at a midday news conference, saying their alliance would bring much-needed stability to Israeli politics. They promised close cooperation on Iran and expressed hope that long-stalled peace talks with the Palestinians would resume, though signs of differences on the Palestinian issue quickly surfaced.

Netanyahu’s current coalition, which had been remarkably stable since taking office in March 2009, has been riven by divisions in recent weeks over court orders to demolish two West Bank settlement outposts and to end draft exemptions for tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men.

Unable to bridge these differences, Netanyahu announced Monday he would push for early elections in September, more than a year ahead of schedule. But in an overnight deal that stunned the nation, he instead joined forces with Kadima, the largest party in parliament with 28 seats.

Netanyahu Calls Off Parliamentary Elections In Unity Government Deal With Opposition Party

“I was ready to go to elections,” Netanyahu said. “But when I learned that a very broad government can be established … I realized that stability can be restored. That is why I have decided to form a broad national unity government.”

Netanyahu said the new coalition would focus on four areas: ending the contentious draft exemptions; reforming the volatile political system, in which governments rarely serve their full four-year terms; protecting the economy, and promoting a “responsible” peace process with the Palestinians.

Peace talks have been stalled for more than three years over Israel’s policy of building in settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. The Palestinians, who claim both areas, have demanded a settlement freeze.

Netanyahu would not say whether he would now consider a settlement freeze. Instead, he repeated his calls for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to return to negotiations without any preconditions.

Netanyahu Calls Off Parliamentary Elections In Unity Government Deal With Opposition Party

“I hope that President Abbas will take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.

Mofaz, however, said he would present new ideas to Netanyahu. Mofaz has suggested pursuing an interim arrangement with the Palestinians addressing border and security issues while a final deal can be reached.

Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a spokesman for Abbas, cautiously welcomed the new Israeli government. “We call on the new Israeli government to use the opportunity of the widened coalition to work to achieve peace with the Palestinian people,” he said.

Netanyahu also promised “serious and responsible” talks on Iran with Mofaz. Israel, like the West, thinks Iran is developing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

Netanyahu has hinted that Israel would be prepared to strike Iran’s nuclear program if it feels threatened. Mofaz, a former military chief and defense minister, has spoken out against an Israeli strike on Iran, though he has a history of reversing his positions on key matters.

Netanyahu said he and Mofaz already have had many discussions about Iran and will continue to hold “serious and responsible” talks on the matter. As a former military chief, Mofaz’s opinion could carry great weight in a decision on whether to strike.

Netanyahu Calls Off Parliamentary Elections In Unity Government Deal With Opposition Party

President Barack Obama meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Friday, May 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

News of the coalition deal stunned the nation, which had gone to sleep believing parliament was set to dissolve itself and clear the way for elections. The deal with Kadima was sealed in the middle of the night.

In recent days, Netanyahu had dropped hints something was in the works, repeatedly saying he hoped to form a stable, broad, centrist coalition. He would not say how long the sides had been negotiating.

Kadima had resisted joining the government when former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was at the party’s helm, because she did not think Netanyahu was serious about reaching a peace deal with the Palestinians.

But after Mofaz ousted Livni in Kadima’s leadership vote last month, the stage was set for a new alliance. Mofaz told the news conference that it had been a “mistake” to sit in the opposition.

While Netanyahu, who has surged in opinion polls, approached the negotiations from a position of strength, Mofaz is in a struggle for survival. Surveys have predicted the party would drop to about a dozen seats in parliament if elections were held. Beyond Mofaz’s symbolic title of deputy prime minister, Kadima received little in exchange for its support.

The new deal gives Mofaz a year and a half to rehabilitate his party, or possibly merge it with Likud. Kadima broke away from Likud in 2005, and many of its members, including Mofaz, have their political roots in Likud.

Shelly Yachimovich, head of the opposition Labor Party, said she was furious over the last-minute reversal by Netanyahu and Mofaz.

“I feel revulsion, loathing, sick and tired and a sensation that a line has been crossed,” she said, calling Mofaz a “bare-faced liar.” Yachimovich is likely to emerge as parliament’s new opposition leader.

The news also sidelines political newcomer Yair Lapid, a popular former TV anchorman who has been faring well in opinion polls. Lapid must now wait until the next election to enter parliament.

Comments (58)

  • judyaz
    Posted on May 12, 2012 at 2:45am

    A prophecy, August 5, 1977: “We should say unto you, there are those who call themselves Palestenes, Palestines. They should seek a country of their own. This is not all they seek, for within them and among them they harbor the Anti-Christ. Should the Eagle [U.S.A.] not spread its wings and protect Israel, woe be your land, for his reign shall be four and one-half years.
    We have told you that both the Anti-Christ and the Christ, the true Christ, is upon your land….
    “But your country, the Eagle, should coveth Israel — not in such a manner that would harm her, but that would giver her strength. For remember, in their greatest time of need, they shall kneel before the Messiah.” (Spiritual messengers of God)

    Report Post » judyaz  
  • Constantine Ivanov
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 5:08pm

    With number of parties exceeding the Israel’s population, it’s amazing that some consensus is finally reached.
    Te laudamus, Bennie! Maybe, you’ll get some positive development now. So much needed, so much waited for!
    Good luck!

    Report Post » Constantine Ivanov  
  • ACLUHater
    Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:27pm

    Israel is gearing up to do some serious spanking. Bring it on. There is only one effective way to thwart a bully.

    Report Post »  
  • OldVietVet
    Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:23am

    Make no mistake–Israel is clearing the “decks” for action! This is a very ominous sign–their political house is in order for unanimous consent for action in what they see as a fight for national and ethnic survival! Anyone who doesn’t see the obvious outcome is in another universe!

    Report Post » OldVietVet  
  • judyaz
    Posted on May 9, 2012 at 2:45am

    Days before Arab-League countries met to oppose Zionism, September 6, 1977, as U.S. President Jimmy Carter planned talks with Israel to give Egypt 90-percent of the land Israel won in the 1967 war in exchange for peace, spiritual messengers of God spoke in a prophetic parable. They spoke of a young Jewish boy who had a decision to make — to side with the Palestinian “cause” Yasser Arafat began with 1970′s “Black September” war and serve the Anti-Christ, or to chose to live in his father’s house, follow the Ten Commandments, make each day holy, and stand together to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. The “peace process” led to a dividing of land and hearts.
    September 2, 1977: “We have told you this parable for a purpose. Some of you have lost your young loved ones. Our Father now builds His army in readiness. [See The Revelation, chapter 19.]
    Those you have lost have gone before you, to prepare a way, and they shall walk with the Messiah. As we are here to prepare a way, so shall they in their own way. Glory be the name of the Lord, our God. Glory be the name of the Messiah. And glory be the name of the children of our Father who shall not be cut away. All of you shall have many decisions to make. It is said, ‘Judge not lest ye be judged.’ There is a difference between a decision and a judgment. Judgment is a final and lasting thing. A decision can be a new beginning for all.”
    http://www.angelfire.com/in4/aup_messiah/1977September02.audio.
    God bles

    Report Post » judyaz  
  • KidCharlemagne
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:31pm

    Nobody objected when Israel sold weapons to the ayatollahs in Iran back in August and November of 1985:

    —————————————————————-
    “According to the Report of the Congressional Committees Investigating the Iran-Contra Affair issued in November 1987, the sale of U.S. arms to Iran through Israel began in the summer of 1985, after receiving the approval of President Reagan. The report shows that Israel’s involvement was stimulated by separate overtures in 1985 from Iranian arms merchant Manucher Ghorbanifar and National Security Council (NSC) consultant Michael Ledeen, the latter working for National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane. When Ledeen asked Prime Minister Shimon Peres for assistance, the Israeli leader agreed to sell weapons to Iran at America’s behest, providing the sale had high-level U.S. approval.

    Before the Israelis would participate, says the report, they demanded “a clear, express and binding consent by the U.S. Government.” McFarlane told the Congressional committee he first received President Reagan’s approval in July 1985. In August, Reagan again orally authorized the first sale of weapons to Iran, over the objections of Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and Secretary of State George Shultz. Because of that deal, Rev. Benjamin Weir, held captive in Lebanon for 16 months, was released.”
    http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/Iran_Contra_Affair.html

    Report Post »  
  • Warren Miller
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:03pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6OLQCUJlVI
    One man saved us from the greatest war of all…

    Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:11pm

      Uh? So basically a one party government, all authority now rests with Bebe. Maybe thats what is needed right now, but I smell trouble anyways.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • tzion
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:38pm

      @Chiefgeorge
      It’s not a one party government by far. It’s just that the various parties forming the largest coalition have been joined in that coalition by another party. Any party could leave the coalition at any time if they saw fit.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:09pm

      UNIFY… or Die… Group by Group!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • Warren Miller
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:51pm

    One man saved us from the greatest war of all…
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6OLQCUJlVI
    One man saved us from the greatest war of all…

    Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:05pm

      The problem is that you have the villains reversed. Nazis and Zionists worked together. The Zionist flag flew over Nazi Germany. Zionists are the present day Nazis.

      No nation has attacked its neighbors more than Israel.

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:50pm

      @Jerk
      Where the hell do you get this nonsense? The only “cooperation” that happened was the Nazis using Zionism as an excuse to ostracize the Jews of Germany and portray them as foreigners who were responsible for Germany’s demise. Misrepresenting facts doesn’t make what you say true for even an instant. True the Nuremberg Laws “permitted” Jews to fly the Zionist flag (it was not flown by the Nazis at any point), but that was only to reinforce the image that Hitler wanted to portray: that the Jews weren’t German despite having full citizenship. Jews were forbidden to fly the German National flag as well as that of the Nazis themselves. That’s not cooperation, it’s marginalization. Same goes for those propaganda ads supporting moving all German Jews to Palestine. It was just a way of justifying taking away all their rights.

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:06pm

      @Jerk
      “No country has attacked it’s neighbors more than Israel”
      Brief history lesson for the ignorant:
      1948-Israel was attacked
      1967-Israel responds to an act of war
      1973-Israel was attacked
      Both Lebanon conflicts and all Gaza actions were responses to rocket attacks
      The only time Israel attacked first was when it bombed Iraq’s nuclear facilities, and that didn’t cause a war. Iraq later launched dozens of chemical weapons at Israel during the Gulf War.

      In contrast, let’s look at Germany: During WWII alone, Germany invaded Czechoslovakia, Poland, Russia, Denmark, Lithuania, Italy, etc. all without provocation.

      In other words, Smack, you are blatantly lying. And if the truth has no agenda, lying proves that your sole purpose is to incite mistrust and hatred of Jews and Israel. So stop pretending that you’re trying to teach us something because nothing you have said is even remotely true.

      Report Post »  
    • SaintzOfAk
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:28pm

      TZithead and his assistant Clown the Jerk will always fail to mention one little key factor in Israel’s aggressive stances in the past. That’s the well know fact that FOR DECADES! Muslim’s have been bombarding Israel with Mortars, Rockets and suicide Bombers to no end….what now you little deceiving maggots?

      Report Post » SaintzOfAk  
    • tzion
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 7:49pm

      @Saintz
      I think you missed my point. I was ATTACKING Jerk’s position not defending. Refuting his arguments. Sure I could have elaborated and brought up how many times Israel didn’t respond to an attack made against it but I feel I made my point with the arguments I made. Israel has rarely if ever been the aggressor and has never violated a peace treaty with any nation.

      Report Post »  
  • BikerMickAG
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:22pm

    Between Nation of Islam, Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR, Al Qaeda, Tali-ban, if no valid Islamic authority stands up to refute was is being said & done throughout the world then the rhetoric & worst case scenarios being portrayed in the more valid & reliable information sources is the closest thing to correct that we all have. Can you say, “Caliphate”? These radical, jihadist Muslim factions are quite willing to ally with the National Socialists factions throughout the world to disrupt civility as much as possible in order to seize power, authority, & control.

    Report Post » BikerMickAG  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:07pm

      The ACLU, with the full support of the media, is imposing a Talmudic Caliphate here in America. What’s the diff?

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:38pm

      @Jerk
      I seriously doubt anyone in the ACLU can even read Talmud. That and the fact they don’t have their own private army makes your accusation nothing but leftist style smear.

      Report Post »  
  • Vickie Dhaene
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:10pm

    Hear me O Lord. Hear my pleas for Peace.

    Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:13pm

      They will say Peace and Security then sudden destruction will come upon them.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • jwt
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 9:25pm

      peace with palistine is an inportant sign along with the other signs in Daniel

      Report Post »  
  • Free Speech
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:48pm

    Israel should go ahead and Nuke iran and blame the nuclear poisoning on the iranian nuclear program. The free World will not be safe until Radical islam is eradicated.

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:40pm

    …
    Sure hope this plan works. Iran must be stopped.

    Report Post »  
  • Zurich
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:23pm

    One of the characteristics that I deeply admire from the Jewish People is their capacity to hold together and to keep on fighting for their freedom and for the future of their children. When I see a picture of PM Netanyahu I see a great MAN and in the case of Obama I see 1/2 of a man.
    Long live Israel. Pray for the Jewish People. They will do good, they will do well and they will succeed.

    Report Post »  
    • bikpet
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:19pm

      and,when i see nuttyahoo,(milikovsky) i see a polish prik

      Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:08pm

    United States needs to stay out of this countries affairs and stop all foreign aid as well. they take away elections and they have the nerve to call themselves a democracy, thats a joke. i didn’t know you could get any worse than Obama but apparently you can.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • capelady
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:21pm

      You are not “taking away” an election that you called for that was to be held ONE YEAR ahead of schedule! And in case you didn’t notice… this had nothing to do with America. As for our support of Israel, they are the ONLY democracy in the Middle East, our most loyal ally, and the front line of the war on terror (which you Paul supporters probably don’t recognize)… and they have never asked for troops – they fight their own battles (as tiny as they are!), but they are up against five Arab nations who are supplied by the Russians and determined to obliterate them and they need our help with weapons to survive. It anyone in the world deserves our help, it is the State of Israel!

      Report Post »  
    • super redhawk
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:23pm

      Apparently you know nothing of Israelis’ governmental structure. Sometimes it’s better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.

      Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:24pm

      I would agree with rescinding aid, so long as it applied to ALL countries. Then on an annual, country by country basis, give aid.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • SquidVetOhio
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:32pm

      Wow, an anti-Israeli post with a Ron Paul icon. There’s a surprise. You have no clue about how the Israeli political system works. They work closely to the Great Britain system who also can change election dates. The U.S. is one of the few countries that has a set election day. smh….

      Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • tzion
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:06pm

      @individualism
      You have officially lost the privilege to speak on any issue relating to Israel because you CLEARLY haven’t even taken the time to actually familiarize yourself with the situation. Any argument you make is meaningless because you are helplessly uninformed. Anyone who had even bothered to READ THE ARTICLE would know that he didn’t suspend elections, he only cancelled the early election. The election will now take place next year as originally planned.

      Simple rule to avoid looking like a COMPLETE IDIOT: If you don’t know what your talking about, REMAIN SILENT.

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:09am

    How long will this last?

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Tankertony
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:03am

    Now they need to take out Irans nukes before Egypt attacks.

    Report Post » Tankertony  
  • Daveed
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:58am

    BiBi can not sit around and wait for years of endless talking by the world. Obama is a paper tiger. Just as long as the nukes are not pointing at USA. What sane person, especially a President or Leader of a country would want War? Israel does not. America does not. You can only be poked so long. Israel has put up with it for a long time. You have Louis Farrakhan, screaming that he/Islam has groomed Malcom and then Barry Barrack Hussien to be Islam Messiah but, they are just men pretending to be Christ. ?????? You know something big (bad) is being planned. I can not get a straight answer from anyone. May the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob and the world have mercy upon us all and protect us from the looming evil ones.

    Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:27pm

      obama is not a paper tiger- he is a *****(cat)

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:17pm

      That paper tiger…love him or hate him should not be underestimated. He did take down Libya who was a thorn in the side of the USA for decades. He did commit more troops to Afghanistan and he continues to drone strike our enemies more than Bush did. Dems make more War on our enemies than Pubs ever had. Its easy for them because their Wars appear to be just and the media plays along.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • Dahart
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:52am

    Forming a unity government all in the name of safety…sound familiar to me….I think we call that tyranny of here

    Report Post » Dahart  
    • tzion
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:05am

      It’s not a unity government, it’s two government factions putting aside their differences to deal with a crisis and do what needs to be done. Once they‘ve dealt with the crisis at hand there’s nothing to stop them from dissolving their truce and begin debating the proper course of action once again. It‘s not as though they’ve suspended all future elections.

      Report Post »  
    • Favored93
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:20pm

      I am all for Israel…I pray for them DAILY but I do not understand this. I don’t really know what this means for them. I have not been able to follow their politics so I can’t speak intelligently about this one…. However this does not feel right.
      Pray people pray! There is something wrong with this one I think.

      Report Post » Favored93  
    • tzion
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:13pm

      @Favored
      Allow me to explain. In the Parliamentary system Israel uses, it is uncommonly rare that any one party wins the majority of seats. To determine how the various ministers will be appointed, the party with the most seats is given the opportunity to form a coalition with other parties, usually by promising to support certain measures or granting ministerial positions. The size of the coalition determines it’s strength and stability. What happened here is that the primary opposition party agreed to join the coalition, thus increasing the stability of the government and allowing them to accomplish more. If a coalition were to break apart, it could lead to a change of power in the government.

      Report Post »  
  • Freedom1984
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:33am

    Do you think he can come over here and be our leader???? PLEASE……………….

    Report Post » Freedom1984  
    • Want our country back
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:52am

      I‘m surprised that obama’s middle finger isn’t on his cheek like it was while talking about Senator McCain and Hillary…. he has such disdain for us and our allies. GOP2012

      Report Post » Want our country back  
  • Sh3LLz
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:29am

    The prince of the royal realm of persia… Demons are active.

    Report Post »  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:24am

    I know Israel is deadly serious when it called up six reserve battalions to beef up its borders with Egypt and Syria….the whole country is coming together to defend itself, epic decision by the Government and its various factions…The phrase ‘Never Again’, means just that.

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • indy1
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:18am

    Good, nuke Iran!

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:13am

    Stunning news to say the least. Instead of fighting each other, these two factions have come together for the good of Israel.

    Netanyahu is brilliant. This man is not to be trifled with. God has surely placed one of His warriors at the helm of Israeli leadership in these perilous times.

    God bless Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel. I stand with God, I stand with Israel.

    Report Post »  
    • lynnissmart
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:28am

      A uniter!!! How refreshing!

      Report Post »  
    • Wakeup Maggie
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:37am

      Well said mom rules…I agree w you…and God

      Report Post » Wakeup Maggie  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:48am

      I hadn’t really thought about that Mom, but I believe you are right!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • tzion
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:53am

      Seems to run in the family.

      Report Post »  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:32am

      2 bad our leader of fools over here & his big ears can’t hear or unite us, god help us all.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • sheffie
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 7:57pm

      Can you answer why the jewish people support obamma? I don’t think Iran has nuclear war heads. They use nuclear for energy. Netanyahu wants America to fight their war. Isreal has nukes why dont they do it. Why dont Isreal give up the gaza strip? Itll stop the Arabs from being mad. then the middle east can have peace. maybe?

      Report Post »  
  • cloudsofwar
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:10am

    Netanyahu must unite Israel so they can better deal with the WAR ahead.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 10:01am

    Take notes Obama, it’s called leadership.

    Report Post » Gonzo  

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