JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israel’s coalition talks, which started with such hopes and optimism, are now stalled. However the underlying reason for this impasse is less known: Meddling interventions in Israeli politics by the US administration.
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Even prior to the current elections, the Biden administration expressed its distaste for right-wing leader Itamar Ben-Gvir in no uncertain terms – a crude attempt to influence Israelis not to vote for him. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned President Isaac Herzog during his visit to Washington the week before the election that the US may refuse to cooperate with “specific politicians” — a likely reference to Ben Gvir.
This unprecedented boycott should have been vociferously protested by all Israelis, even those who share concern for Ben-Gvir’s views, since it is a shameful encroachment on Israeli sovereignty. However it is apparently not the only veto made by the US in the current election.
Betzalel Smotrich, the leader of the Religious Zionist party, cannot be accused of Kahanism like Ben-Gvir. He never identified with Baruch Goldstein and is a product of mainstream yeshivas, the son of a Rosh Kollel from Kiryat Arba. Smotrich, the leader of the second largest party in the coalition, is demanding quite fairly to have a senior position in the next government- Defense Minister or Finance Minister. Smotrich allowed Aryeh Deri, leader of the third largest party, to make first choice and Deri predictably went for the Finance Ministry.
Netanyahu was now faced with two critical problems, the first of his own making. His own party, numbering 31 other MKs, were rumbling with discontent over the senior ministries being passed to others. Netanyahu, always suspicious of other leadership hopefuls, planned to give the other senior ministry- Foreign Affairs -to his protege Ron Dermer, thus fostering more protests in the Likud.
However the other issue was a sharp message from the Biden administration against Smotrich becoming defense minister. Smotrich would then de facto be sheriff of Judea and Samaria, allowing him to build, construct and demolish illegal Palestinian construction at will. The US [under Biden] still favors a two-state solution and realizes that Smotrich’s appointment could spell the death knell for its Palestinian state aspirations.
Netanyahu must withstand the unequitable US pressure for another reason. If anyone was more responsible for upholding the two-state solution, it was Netanyahu himself who proposed it in 2009 and blocked all efforts by the Trump administration to promote the idea which could have changed the political climate under the current administration. Above all, Netanyahu must fight for Israel’s sovereign right to decide by itself who should lead its defense establishment, the most crucial aspect of a country threatened by mortal enemies on all sides.
so what did they want from Russia meddling in US elections – Biden is no better than Putin
Where is Biden’s respect for democracy .We only respect democracy when it has our desired outcomes.Biden desires that Jerusalem should be as dangerous as His Capital Washington DC one of the most dangerous cities in the United States
Israel is its own worst enemy . If Israel had wanted, it could have annexed all of the area won in ’67 and it can still do so. Any area where terrorists come from, they should deport all of its Arab residents.
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Absolutely correct. Totally agree. Israel is a sovereign nation. Smotrich would make for an excellent DM.
AIPAC is part of the Democratic party.
I do have to admit, the democrats have always been anti semitic at its core.
Deri getting Finance is terrific. Besides giving back funding to Torah, he will balance the books for the rest of the country, stop waste and fund worthwhile projects
The Ukrainian government wanted the Biden family to be in control of the White House. I know from what I speak.
Smotrich should get Defense even if there are others more qualified just to show the Biden admin. his meddling won’t be tolerated. Ben Gvir should get internal security as he is requesting. In that capacity probably nobody is better.
why am i not shocked by the USA’S double standard complaining about russian meddling in our elections yet have no problem openly trying to dictate who should receive or not receive which ministerial position
what CHUTZPA!!!
If the president of the US doesn’t want his people to meet someone considered far right, why is it an encroachment on Israel’s sovereignty?
Israel can decide whom to elect, and elected leaders can decide what level of relations and how much charity they want to send to other countries.
What would the citizens of the U.S. so if Russia told our idiot President whom he could and could not appoint to his cabinet, How stupid is Biden?
Perhaps, if we wanted to avoid influencing the Israelis, we ought to stop giving them a billion dollars a day. On the other hand, if we what to subsidize them it might be reasonable to have some concern for how they spend it.
you did mean 2019 and not 2009.
But anyhow yes Biden is interfering in a soverign nations election process. Coming from someone who is mad when russia does it to us we ought to stay out of this. We need to honor and respect free elections. Isn’t that what we always preach? To any jews who voted for this well you pay the price. Liberal jews are the elast supportive of Israel