Israel Matzav

Who will rally the opposition to Netanyahu?

Before I start this post, I want to update you on something I posted last night. Last night, I wrote the following in the name of Uzi Landau, one of the primary opponents to the 'settlement freeze' extension.

Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau has thrown cold water on comments by Defense Mnister Ehud Barak celebrating the U.S. “present” of 20 advanced fighter jets to Israel in exchange for implementing an additronal freeze. Landau clarified that the jets are not guaranteed to Israel and noted that they depend on reaching a final agreement with PA which most Israelis do not believe is possible.

I received the following clarification from Landau (via three intermediaries - Hat Tip: David H).

What is quoted here in Israelmatzav is not exactly what he said. He did not say that the deal explicitly calls for Israel to settle on borders in order for the jets to be awarded. He said that there is nothing in this deal that obligates the US. They have in the past and could in the future just decline to fulfill obligations.

Lovely.

In the meantime, the Likud is still trying to drum up opposition to their own leader's disastrous path to concessions. The opponents are looking to Benny Begin (pictured).

Although Minister-without-Portfolio Bennie Begin did not attend Monday’s Knesset meeting, he gave the freeze opponents a strong boost on Monday evening when he broke two days of silence to denounce the intended move.

“Government promises must be followed through,” said Begin, in reference to his own pledges and that of Netanyahu that the first freeze on new construction, which ended on September 26, was a onetime deal.

Begin, who is believed to be the man who can best rally the party’s right wing, told Channel 2, “One should have been able to anticipate the actions of recent days, and if they weren’t taken into consideration in advance, that is strange to me. Someone needs to offer some explanations.”

And Minister Yuli Edelstein has an answer for the inevitable accusation that it's only the 'Feiglin wing' that opposes the extension:

“I think that this is a very bad situation for the Likud,” Edelstein responded when asked if his party could split over a second freeze.

“The participants in the meeting aren’t some extreme elements that infiltrated the Likud. These are Likudniks. And if they remain bitter and disappointed, it would be very serious for the party. I would not want to be the one who has to organize and rally the faction around major issues after we go in to a freeze.”

And Knesset speaker Ruby Rivlin, who is a long-time Netanyahu rival, but who is currently out of the country, sent in his opposition from Germany:

“The freeze has created a serious argument in both the Knesset and the Israeli public. The possibility that Israel will stand alone before the UN Security Council without an American veto creates a new situation in the Middle East, and that must be examined in a long-term perspective,” Rivlin said.

“Israelis now wonder: What will happen next time that there is a disagreement with the Americans? From now on, will every step that Israel takes be measured against the threat of the Americans rescinding their veto?”

Israel Radio just reported that a vote on the 'settlement freeze' extension is being held up - by objections from the 'Palestinians.' But you'll have to wait for the next post (I'll have it up soon) for that.

Labels: Benny Begin, Marco Rubio, Ruby Rivlin, settlement freeze extension, Uzi Landau, Yuli Edelstein

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:47 PM