Back to Israeli Politics: What's Avigdor Lieberman Really Planning?

Yes, it was that deep in Shiloh.

Enough about the snow for right now, OK?

Baruch Hashem, thank G-d, I'm back home after my few days as a bag lady gypsy, so since this morning I'm not in a rush to leave my warm, heated home, I checked the usual news sites/sources, Jewish Press, Arutz 7, Jerusalem Post and Reuters to get an idea of what to write about.

There seems to be a lot of news about Avigdor Lieberman who's now trying to reassert himself before fleeing the Likud.  For the past few days there are reports that the very unsuccessful political marriage between the Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu is all but over.  They've been "sleeping in separate bedrooms" for quite some time.

Since Lieberman's acquittal, he seems to be trying to move Left rather than Right.  It may be to court the media, because I think it was his Right policies/statements that got him most of his votes. The truth be told, he really has never been a policy maker, just a noisemaker. Policy in a Netanyahu Government comes from Bibi himself.  He just controls the puppet strings and tries to give the impression that his cabinet has some power, but I don't believe they do.  The truth is that the larger the cabinet the less influence a minister has over the big picture.  They are used more as camera props and media ops. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu can't be everywhere so he sends his coalition partners.

If Likud had run alone it would have gotten more MK's than it got in the agreement with Yisrael Beiteinu, but then there would have had been a big risk that Lieberman on his own would have formed some sort of Center Left agreement with Tsippi Livni, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid and Mofaz's parties which would have shut out Bibi's Likud totally.

Israel, just like any other true democracy starts the next political election campaign the minute the previous one is over.  We had elections almost a year ago, so it's no surprise for me to see all this political jockeying and campaigning.  The big question will be if any of the supposedly Right Jewish Nationalist Likud and Bayit Yehudi aka NRP MKs will bolt and form a pro-Jewish Rights in the Land of Israel Party.  Considering that only Feiglin voted for MK Yaakov Litzman's (UTJ) bill requiring 80 MKs to approve any withdrawals from Jerusalem, Israel's capital.

I'm glad Feiglin did it, and I'm not surprised that all of the other so called pro-Land of Israel MKs from the coalition chickened out. They are in Bibi's noose.  The proof's in the pudding.  Too many of you wasted your votes.  I wish I didn't have to write:

"I told you so."

Some Good Jews Have Been Had

Many people voted for Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu, Israel is Our Home party, because they perceived it as Right Wing anti- Pseudistinian State.

Lieberman was saying all the right things. They refused to believe anti-Lieberman hasbara, information like this youtube. Sorry, it's in Hebrew, but the graphics make it pretty clear. Basically, it says that if you vote Lieberman, you'll get various extreme Leftist politicians instead. The pictures make it very clear to understand the gist of it.



But now Lieberman is letting the truth out. He's probably to the Left of Bibi in more ways than one. Don't let his Judean Mountains address fool you.

Israel Beiteinu head supports 'creation of Palestinian state'

Yes, that's what we've been trying to tell you, but the elections are now over, and he got all those votes. Avigdor Lieberman ran a great campaign. Many of those votes should have gone to the National Union or Likud, if the voters hadn't been so naive as to fall for the slogans of the slickest and most charismatic politician in Israel today. True, Olmert is slicker and more "professional," but he's not charismatic.

All that's left for us is to pray that G-d, in his mercy and love for his People, will give wisdom to our leaders...

Shabbat Shalom u'Mevorach

May You Have A Peaceful & Blessed Shabbat

Last Minute Pitch, Why vote for the Ichud Leumi?

Not my original text, but I agree with it, so I'm posting it. It was sent out by Uri Bank.

Why vote for the Ichud Leumi?
Because our list is comprised of a group of leaders who have the absolute best track record when it comes to building up and protecting Eretz Yisrael. Responsible leaders of clear vision who see the reality for what it is and forewarned about everything that in fact happened in wake of the hallucinatory "peace" plans, based on giving parts of Eretz Yisrael over to Arab sovereignty.

Because the Ichud Leumi was successful in uniting five different parties and of the fact that we have Secular Jews and Haredi Jews as a central part of our leadership and constituency. Our commitment to cooperate with one another is not out of political need, but out of an ideology of Achdut Yisrael and together we create a much stronger force to fight for Am, Eretz and Torat Yisrael.

Because the Ichud Leumi is the only party that totally negates the institution of another palestinian state west of the Jordan River or any other type of giving land/sovereignty to Arabs, as well as being the only party that is promoting any kind of viable alternative peace plan that will bring real peace to Israel (see: www.Israelinitiative.com).

Because our Chairman Ketzaleh and MK Uri Ariel have done no less, and maybe even more, than the Mafdal reps. when it comes to securing government funding for the Zionut HaDatit institutions and Arutz 7 and you can bank on the fact that they both will continue to do so with their proven talents and track records.

Because on top of all of the above - you get one thing more... Uri Bank. The Jerusalem Post has recently named Uri: "the only Anglo candidate running with a party currently represented in the Knesset who has any chance of getting elected." He has formulated an initiative to help cut through the red-tape and injustices that many times accompany Western Olim absorption into the Israeli society and work force. Please see the attached document for the full details of this initiative. According to the most recent polls, Uri is the one who is now on the cusp. Voting for the Ichud Leumi will likely get him into Knesset, where he intends to serve as the Anglo Community's Congressman, to whom he will be accountable.


Why not vote for the Likud?
Because Binyamin Netanyahu is going to be the next Prime Minister even without your vote. Now the real issue is what will be the make-up of his coalition and if we will be able to influence the guidelines of his government. We've already seen him in office and know all too well that he cannot be trusted when it comes to the issue of capitulation of land and giving-in to the palestinians. (Remember - he shook Arafat's hand, gave them control of Chevron and voted for the cruel and senseless expulsion from Gush Katif and Northern Shomron). It is crucial that the Ichud Leumi get enough seats in order to become a force that Netanyahu will have to reckon with and include in his government. None of the other parties can be trusted to force him to include loyalty to the integrity of Eretz Yisrael and the settlements in his governmental guidelines.

Because Binyamin Netanyahu, Limor Livnat, Silvan Shalom, Yisrael Katz and Yuval Steinitz - who are central leaders on the Likud's list - all voted in favor of the disastrous and senseless expulsion plan, that only brought pain and suffering to the expellees and the residents of Southern Israel.

Because up until this moment, despite all that we've been through, the Likud absolutely refuses to negate the institution of a palestinian state in Yehuda, Shomron and Azza in their platform and their official party press statements.


Why not vote for Yisrael Beiteinu?
Because Lieberman has explicitly stated time and again that he is willing to vacate his home in Nokdim and give parts of Yehuda and Shomron and Eastern Jerusalem to the palestinians in order for them to establish a palestinian state. (Yes, I know it's hard to believe given all his posturing regarding his animosity towards the Arabs, but the fact remains that this IS his explicitly declared diplomatic plan, which places him even further left than the Likud...)

Because this party has anti-Orthodox elements, sentiments and legislation proposals, all of which undermine the Jewish nature of the State.


Why not vote for the Bayit Yehudi-Mafdal?
Because the new Chairman of the party Prof. Rabbi Herskowitz has explicitly said that he can live with his party being "neither right nor left wing" and with its members being given leeway and freedom on issues relating to Eretz Yisrael.

Because the previous Chairman Zvulun Orlev (the current #2 on this list) continued to sit in Ariel Sharon's government even after this government decided to expel the Jews of Gush Katif and Northern Shomron -thus contributing to Sharon's ability to actuate the expulsion plan.

Because this is a small, sectarian party that caters only to the National Orthodox community and does not serve as a bridge between the secular and orthodox sides of Israeli society. This is proven by the fact that they have never agreed to put a non-orthodox Jew on their list for Knesset.

Ichud Leumi: Revolutionary Reform for Western Olim

MK hopeful Bank hopes to 'Bibi-sit' Likud on olim rights, Palestinians

Interview with Uri Bank of Ichud HaLeumi

The only candidate Anglos can 'Bank' on?

At JPost Debate, Uri Bank states: "The land of Israel belongs to us and not the Arabs"