Kadima number two Shaul Mofaz harshly criticized party Chairman Tzipi Livni yesterday for refusing Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu’s initial call for a unity government. Netanyahu offered Kadima prime ministerial portfolios and Kadima officials desire these positions as opposed to being relegated to the opposition. Netanyahu may tap Nathan Sharansky for Foreign Minister if Kadima and Labor still refuse his unity government proposition. Sharansky, a former Soviet prisoner, worked closely with the Bush Administration and is a strong proponent the neoconservative stance of exporting democracy to the Middle East. He held extensive meetings with Vice President Dick Cheney to urge the invasion of Iraq. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed Dennis Ross to serve as Gulf and Southwest Asia advisor. Essentially, he will serve as an advisor on the Middle East and Iran, bringing his extensive experience in the peace process back to the federal government.
Fatah Deputy Mohammad Dahlan speaks candidly on his party’s role in Gaza reconciliation and unity negotiations with Hamas. He blames Hamas for the current devastation in Gaza but remains open to unity, although he doubts Hamas’ sincerity in the negotiations.
Lots of good op-eds today.:
Washington Post Columnist Richard Cohen examines the rise of Yisrael Beiteinu and his stance towards the Arab minority in Israel. He asserts that instead of ousting Arabs from mainland Israel through a land-swap deal, the government should continue providing civil rights to these citizens. Prof. Efraim Inbar discusses the death of the Labor party, citing its antiquated views on the peace process and its shift away from its traditional working class persona. In order to propel Israel’s economy ahead of the economic crisis, Microsoft’s Israel General Manager calls for funding additional R&D and innovative technologies.
