Uriel Heilman
Netanyahu continues balancing act
The warnings from Israeli pundits and foreign observers alike came almost as soon as Israeli President Shimon Peres picked Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next Israeli next government.
The message was clear: Don’t forsake the pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace and risk isolating Israel on the world stage.
So when Netanyahu addressed the Knesset at his swearing-in ceremony Tuesday, observers were listening closely for signs of where the new prime minister intends to lead his country.
Labor joining Bibi: Kosher stamp or fig leaf?
Depending on one’s interpretation, Labor’s decision to join Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led coalition grants Israel’s incoming government either a kosher seal of approval or a fig leaf to disguise a right-wing agenda.
Either way, Labor’s move will make Netanyahu Israel’s next prime minister.
After a contentious meeting of the Labor Central Committee on Tuesday, members voted 680-507 to join the coalition, which already includes the Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, and Shas parties. The vote provides Netanyahu the Knesset majority he needs to form a new government.
Thank you, American Jews. Love, Sderot
For about a week, Sderot Mayor David Bouskila got a break from the rain of rockets upon his city.
It’s not that the rockets stopped falling, but Bouskila was out of town, traveling around the United States last week on a thank-you tour of American Jewish organizations that have sent money to help his beleaguered city.
As soon as Bouskila returned home, however, he was dodging rockets again.
