My friend Yakov sent me this, from the great Gideon Levy in the great Haaretz:
government only with his extremist partners. Let them put together a
narrow coalition of Likud, Shas and Israel Beiteinu, and let Israelis
and the world understand that something serious has happened in Israel.
Let those extremists and fundamentalists go out to the world, and maybe
the world will finally make a statement about the racist and violent
government that has been established in Israel. Let's see them conduct
negotiations not with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbbas,
but with Barack Obama. Let's see Obama declare his support for a
government based on people like those Likud has chosen.
Netanyahu's election would give Obama more room to maneuver. Because Netanyahu is supported in this country principally by neocons/the Republican Jewish Coalition/Liebermanites, and those are the Jews who Obama did not get, and whom Obama does not need. Netanyahu's election would allow Obama to be lordly with Netanyahu, and treat Israel like a normal country for once, and actually pressure Israel. Compare to Ehud Barak having constant access to Bill Clinton in the weeks leading up to Camp David, and wrapping Clinton around his finger. Why? Because Barak Jews were behind Clinton, and he couldn't alienate them. If Livni gets in, Obama can't be lordly and distant. Because Mel Levine and Barbara Boxer are going to be for Livni.
