Limor Livnat's senior moment
Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat had some choice words for the Obama administration on Thursday evening during a Likud conference in Be'er Sheva. Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat said during a Likud convention in Beersheba she does not "envy the prime minister. We are facing an awful (American) administration; it is not easy facing the US president, after he dragged the prime minister through a series of torments."She was also quoted as saying
Livnat also commented about the decision to temporarily freeze construction in settlements, saying she feels "uneasy with this unilateral decision; no one will appreciate it, and we will only get slammed over the head for it."
"I know that the prime minister is in destress. It's not easy to stand next to the American president."And she is also supposed to have said
"No Israeli government has ever made such a decision, and I ask myself what are we getting from it?"Within minutes, Kadima MK Yoel Hasson called on Livnat to apologize or resign:
"This is a unilateral step," Livnat said at a Likud conference in Be'er Sheva. Despite past hopes, she added, "we know that the Palestinians will not enter into negotiations with us."
Livnat also said that in a week's time, when a tractor starts the construction of houses that have already been approved before the current agreement, the entire world will call Israel liars.
Livnat also said that "it is not easy to stand up for you against the American President."
"The statement constitutes a direct blow to the strategic relations between Israel and its great ally – the United States," said Hasson, adding that Livnat must be dismissed if she refuses to apologize.And the Prime Minister, to whom Livnat is known to be close, denied that her comments reflected his views.
The Prime Minister's office said Minister Livnat's comments against the US administration "do not represent the prime minister's stance at all. The prime minister has expressed his appreciation for the strong bond between Israel and the United States time and again – a bond that continues to remain strong throughout President Obama's administration."A couple hours later, Livnat (who is 59) had a senior moment and forgot the whole thing.
Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat said she did not remember whether or not she referred to the Obama Administration as "awful" during a Likud convention in Beersheba.Rigid? What the heck is that supposed to mean?
"I did not mean to use that word, but I stand by my statement that the US regime is rigid," she said.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:24 AM
3 Comments:
Limor Livnat was forced to backtrack for the boss. I think she said what Benjamin Netanyahu thinks privately but can't say openly for political reasons. The truth is the US tried to pressure Israel to agree to an open-ended freeze and Israel would not accept it. Israel took a step to show who wants peace and who is willing to make the US relatively happy. The Palestinians certainly aren't - and Livnat is correct they are not going to negotiate with Israel. The freeze is for two reasons, none of them having to do with the Palestinians: first to buy goodwill from the US in Israel's being able to clear the deck on Iran and second to keep Ehud Barak and his Labor Party in the government. If Iran can be solved, the Palestinians might rethink their rejectionism. If not, then all talk of Mideast peace is a pretty much academic question anyway.
Who cares what Bibi thinks privately. Publicly and tachlis, he is betraying us. Limor Livnat was spot on! I think "awful" is a pretty good word here - as in unpleasant (malodorous, perhaps), and nothing to do with "awe". As far as Barak and Labour are concerned, I would personally like to see them break from the government, and preferably from all political involvement in the Land of Israel and the State of Israel. Labour has never bode well for the Jewish nation.
a gaffe is when a pol tells the truth
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