Bibi Netanyau and #OyVeyDonaldTrump..... Two Riciprocal Back Scratches but will anything come out of their relationship

Republished with permission from the Washington Post

THE TAKEAWAY Following the joint press conference held by President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday afternoon, veteran Middle East watcher Aaron David Miller resorted to a Star Trek metaphor to explain what he had just seen. Appearing on CNN, the former American diplomat described the presser as "nothing short of a Vulcan mind meld." The two leaders seemed to be operating in seamless unison. Though Netanyahu has served as prime minister for eleven years during two stints in office, this was his first visit to a White House occupied by a Republican president — and it paid off. The right-wing Israeli leader secured what he needed from the trip: Tough rhetoric on the threat posed by Iran? Check. Vows of close friendship and articulations of hostility toward Obama-era policies? Check. Zero lip service to the importance of the two-state solution? You got it. What Trump would say about the two-state solution — a vision of independent Israeli and Palestinian states existing side by side — hung over the proceedings. Neither he nor Netanyahu mentioned it once in their prepared remarks. And when it was raised by a reporter, Trump seemed to wave at it with casual indifference. "I am looking at two states or one state, and I like the one that both parties like," said Trump, figuratively kicking the battered can of Mideast peace down the road. He did note that "the two states look like it could be the easier of the two [options]," but that was the extent of his support for what has been an article of faith for successive Democratic and Republican administrations. Trump also ever-so-gently chided Netanyahu on Israel's widely condemned expansion of settlements in the West Bank. "I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit," said the American president (the response, he noted, was none too optimistic) before the duo engaged in friendly banter about the "art of the deal." Netanyahu was being watched closely back home. He needed to appease far-right elements within his governing coalition. Naftali Bennett, leader of a party in Netanyahu's coalition that draws its core support from settlers, warned Netanyahu ahead of his trip to not "even mention a Palestinian state" — if he did, Bennett declared, "the earth will shake." Bennett was clearly pleased by what he saw: "This is the end of an era," he tweeted on Wednesday afternoon. "The Palestinian flag has come down and has been replaced by the Israeli flag. The prime minister displayed leadership and daring and strengthened Israel’s security." Of course, the prospects for a two-state solution have been on life support for years. The continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the putative site of a future Palestinian capital, has made it a near certainty that there will never be a contiguous Palestinian state. Netanyahu's insistence on retaining control of security over much of this territory suggests a permanent military occupation. Many doubt he has any intention of letting an independent Palestinian state ever come to fruition. Netanyahu claims his Palestinian counterparts are, as the Post's William Booth put it, "weak and rejectionist" and has said that he has "no partner for peace." He believes an independent Palestine would be overrun by radical Islamist militias. The Palestinians, meanwhile, have taken their struggle to international forums, winning great symbolic support overseas but precious little leverage on the ground. Not much will change after Netanyahu's meeting with Trump, as the Times of Israel's diplomatic correspondent noted: But Netanyahu's critics, including figures from the Obama administration, worry that this status quo is toxic. "The extreme right won tonight. The State of Israel has lost," tweeted opposition Israeli parliamentarian Erel Margalit. "Netanyahu is leading us to a dual-nation state, while running from the two-state solution which is in Israel's interest." If there is to be no Palestinian state, the immediate question is when the millions of Palestinians living as second-class citizens — penned in by checkpoints, encroaching settlements and the patrols of the Israeli army — can expect the same rights as the Israelis in their midst. The Trump administration has shown no interest in answering that question. The word "occupation" was not uttered once in Wednesday's briefing. “To those who think the current system today is acceptable, having one state with two systems — which is apartheid — I don’t think they can sustain it," said Saeb Erekat, a veteran Palestinian politician, to Booth. "Not in the 21st century." The White House, though, is pushing forward a new ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, who is a known supporter of settlements and once likened liberal American Jews to Nazi collaborators. Friedman faces tough Senate confirmation hearings on Thursday. Netanyahu is also working to boost Trump's position. Last month, he issued a tweet cheering on Trump's plan to build a wall on the Mexican border — a clear favor to the White House that landed Israel in a gratuitous diplomatic spat with Mexico. And at the Wednesday presser, he dodged an Israeli journalist's question about the worrying rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric during the election campaign, which gave voice to a group of once-fringe ultra-nationalists and neo-Nazis on the American right. Trump completely ignored the comment and responded, instead, with a celebration of his election victory and a nod to his Jewish son-in-law, Jared Kushner, whose family has close ties to Netanyahu. Dan Shapiro, the recently departed American ambassador to Israel, was aghast. But the Israeli prime minister let it slide. If Trump scratches his back, it seems, he'll return the favor.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charms Africa

Uhuru Kenyatta, Israeli PM Netanyahu sign security, immigration pacts Some categories of visas will be abolished.Uhuru Kenyatta is the son of the founder of Kenya ,Jomo Kenyatta




President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint press conference at State House on July 5, 2016. PHOTO | PSCU
In Summary

The PM said Israel will work with Kenya to gain a foothold in Africa as the continent rises economically.
The agreements signed cover the areas of health and immigration that will see the abolition of certain categories of visas.

President Kenyatta said the world has changed together with the challenges that face humanity.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday held bilateral talks at State House, Nairobi.

After the meeting, the two leaders addressed a press conference during which they stated that they have signed agreements that will boost the relationship between Kenya and Israel.

President Kenyatta said the future of Kenya-Israeli friendship will bring more development and improved security for Kenyans.

He said the 50-year relationship between Kenya and Israel is set to be strengthened after the two countries signed more agreements and agreed to work more closely on security matters.

“The agreements will allow us to build the capacity of our health systems and professionals in the area of emergency preparedness and resources as well as specialised medical services,” said President Kenyatta.

The agreements signed cover the areas of health and immigration that will see the abolition of certain categories of visas.

“These agreements build on 50 years of cooperation and I am confident that with their implementation, and as we find more ways of collaborating, the relationship between Israel and Kenya can only grow,” said President Kenyatta.

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at State House on July 5, 2016. PHOTO | PSCU

On his part, Mr Netanyahu, who is in the country for a three-day state visit, said Israel views Kenya as its best partner in Africa and that the two countries share common opportunities.

Mr Netanyahu said Israel has been supporting Kenya to fight terrorism and has been sharing intelligence information with Kenyan security forces.

The PM said Israel will work with Kenya to gain a foothold in Africa as the continent rises economically.

“There is a rising tide in Africa and a rising tide lifts all ships,” said the Israeli leader.

He also pushed for Kenya to support Israel’s bid to be given an observer status at the African Union.

In his response, President Kenyatta said the world has changed together with the challenges that face humanity.

“The world has changed and the nature of global problems have changed from what they were 30 years ago. I think there is need for Africa to reengage with Israel,” he said.

The President said he also spoke with Mr Netanyahu about the peace process between Israel and Palestine, adding that Kenya was for sustainable solution.

“Kenya is certainly committed to supporting a peace process in whatever way she can and we continue to see Israel as a critical partner, friend and ally, which is the more reason we desire peace in that region of the world,” said President Kenyatta.

The two leaders also flagged off a new group of students who are headed to Israel to learn irrigation and automated agriculture technologies.

Statement By Israel PM Netanyahu Following The Horrific Terrorist Attack In Kiryat Arba..

This morning a terrorist sneaked into the bedroom of a 13-year-old girl, Hallel-Yaffa Ariel. He murdered young Hallel in cold blood. A picture of her blood stained room is almost too hard to see. There’s a teddy bear still on her bed, a red beanbag chair, some pictures on the wall, shoes tightly packed in a bin next to her bunk bed.
Why would any person do this?
You don’t murder a sleeping child for peace. You don’t slit a little girl’s throat to protest a policy you don’t like.
You do this because you’ve been brainwashed. You’ve been brainwashed by a warped ideology that teaches you that this child isn’t human.
We will not let barbarism defeat humanity.
There’s no middle ground between beautiful Hallel and her unspeakably evil murderer.
Today, each of us is going to fight back.
I ask you to walk into your child’s bedroom before they go to sleep. I ask you to hug them. I ask you to kiss them. Teach them that the values that Hallel’s murderer most detested – freedom, diversity, pluralism – will never die; we’ll always hold them dear. Tell them that we will never let fear, evil and terror triumph; that we will always stand for justice. And this is how we will fight back. We fight back first by fighting back, fighting the terrorists, fighting their backers, fighting those who incite for such murder, whether in Hebron or in Orlando, or in Berlin, or in Ankara, or in Belgium, anywhere. We fight back by making sure that our collective moral compass doesn’t waver even a millimeter.
Today we will cherish Hallel’s memory. We will defend and honor her dignity by redoubling our efforts around the world to defeat the scourge of radical Islamist terror.
May Hallel’s memory forever be a blessing.

Four Ex COS of the IDF and their Festival of Self-flagellation and Pessimism .The Citizen's of Zion Voted for the Netanyahu, Bennett and Liberman and not them in Zion

Education minister blasts former prime minister and defense minister, Ehud Barak, for recent criticism of Israel's current leadership.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday lashed out at former prime minister Ehud Barak and former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon for criticizing the country's current leadership, accusing them of promoting a "festival of self-flagellation and cynicism."

On Thursday, Ya'alon said he was concerned about the moral "erosion" of Israel's society and the instability and weakness of the government. Barak for his part, has berated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and what he say is the recent downward spiral of the government.

In an interview with Army Radio, Bennett sidelined his recentcoalition disagreements with Netanyahu and defended the government, saying he rejected the criticism of the leadership and Israeli public by the two former IDF chiefs of staff.

There is "a festival of self-flagellation and pessimism," Bennett charged in an interview with Army Radio. "They say that the country has become brutalized and that our country isn't alright."

"We had a difficult year in the face of terror," Bennett said. "Israel is defeating terrorism with great bravery and heroism."

"We aren't a perfect country and we have a lot to improve - but I don't share the pessimism that is permeating the generals," Bennett said in condemnation of Bennett and Ya'alon. 

Both Ya'alon and Barak have recently attack Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Ya'alon announcing on Thursday that he would run in the country's next election, and Barak calling for Netanyahu to be defeated. 

In the interview, Bennett lambasted Barak, saying his positions on peace talks with the Palestinian weren't necessarily popular with the entire populace when he served as prime minister. 

"It could be that part of the nation doesn't accept the results of elections," Bennett stated, indicating that there are always disagreements with government policy. 

Barak "offered to hand over most the western Old City [of Jerusalem] to 'Palestine,' return to the '67 border and withdraw from the Golan Heights - people did no accept the position," Bennett asserted. 

Bennett then challenged Barak to run in Israel's next election if he wanted see the public's response.

Netanyahu Turns Right in Zion

The Prime Minister of Israel, Binyamin Netanyahu has made a seemingly bitter tradeoff: although he is gaining six seats to ensure his political survival, he has saddled himself with a fierce rival, potentially alienated a loyal, experienced defense minister, and left the door open to unfavorable international initiatives.

In a stunning turnaround this week, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu suddenly ended months of quiet talks to bring the Labor Party into his coalition government. Instead, he ousted Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon and replaced him with longtime political rival Avigdor Liberman, gaining the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu Party's six seats in the process.

ODD BEDFELLOWS CURB A CENTRIST TURN

Netanyahu's move is likely the product of forces on the left and right edge of Israeli politics inadvertently making common cause against efforts to bolster the center. On March 17, his talks with Labor leader Isaac Herzog seemed to be on the verge of finalization. The next day, however, Netanyahu reversed course. Apparently, young coalition members Yariv Levin, Zeev Elkin, and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked were unhappy with some of the prime minister's policy pledges to Herzog, such as placing limitations on settlement activities, reviving Palestinian-related diplomatic moves, and pressing for a regional peace conference. Yesterday, Herzog enumerated the pledges Netanyahu had made to him, noting, "I demanded to have all the agreements in writing. The prime minister refused." Thus far, Netanyahu has neither confirmed nor denied Herzog's account.

Meanwhile, Egyptian president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi urged all Israeli factions earlier this week to work together for peace. According to various reports, he spoke at the encouragement of longtime envoy Tony Blair, who was acting as an informal back-channel mediator with Jerusalem. Cairo was even apparently willing to host the proposed regional peace conference. As Herzog noted, "There were messages that got to me and to Netanyahu from senior regional and international officials who are saying 'There is a significant regional opportunity to restart the [peace] process, don't miss that opportunity'...Al-Sisi's remarks were significant. These things were not coordinated in advance but they fell on sympathetic ears, as Bibi has been telling the region he wants to move forward but that he has been politically restricted. For the first time in many years, an Arab president is saying things so clearly."

At the same time, Herzog excoriated former Labor head Shelly Yachimovich for trashing every effort to find common ground with Netanyahu and broaden the government, calling her the "radical left." Indeed, many Labor legislators have been attacking Herzog lately, accusing him of "crawling" into the government without even waiting to see what policy modifications he could extract from Netanyahu. Then, in domino-like fashion, half of Herzog's faction made clear that they would not go with him if he joined the government, making his unity bid even less attractive to others.

Taken together, these developments suggest that the prime minister may now be more beholden to Liberman and Naftali Bennett, head of another key right-wing faction, Jewish Home. The hard right is unlikely to trust Netanyahu at the moment given the concessions he was willing to make to Herzog, and he has burned his bridges with the Labor leader in light of the sudden turnaround.

Netanyahu will also face a much steeper uphill battle on upcoming diplomatic challenges, such as a planned two-part French peace parley, a new Quartet report about Israeli settlement activities, and the prospect that the UN Security Council will seek to impose an Israeli-Palestinian solution toward year's end. Coincidentally or not, the French proposal was on hold as political developments played out in Israel, but now a date has been set for June 3. It was just announced today that Secretary of State John Kerry would attend. Previously, he had held off committing to any such conference -- if this reticence was his way of giving space for a Netanyahu-Herzog government to take measures of its own, the latest move seems to have spurred him to finalize. France has certainly made Kerry's participation a priority. More broadly, the takeaway message for diplomats watching Israeli developments unfolding this week is that Netanyahu is politically incapable of making midcourse coalition adjustments that could preempt diplomatic challenges.

THE LIBERMAN DIMENSION

This week's shift raises many questions about how Liberman will work with Netanyahu as Defense Minister and what impact he might have on Israeli foreign policy. An immigrant from Moldova, Liberman began his political career as director-general of the Prime Minister's Office during Netanyahu's first term in 1996. Although he was initially helpful in attracting Russian immigrant support for Netanyahu, the two had a falling out and Liberman started his own immigrant party. He has since made no secret of his desire to lead the Israeli right, becoming a bitter critic of the prime minister. Last year, he shocked the country when he decided to stay out of the current government, alleging that Netanyahu was too cozy with ultraorthodox parties that have questioned the Jewish lineage of some immigrants from the former Soviet Union. He has also accused the prime minister of radiating "weakness" on terrorism; just two weeks ago he called on Netanyahu to resign for this reason.

Indeed, Liberman takes glee in issuing very provocative statements. During the Gaza war of 2014, he was the only cabinet minister to publicly call for full Israeli reoccupation of that territory. At other times, he has called for Israel to bomb the Aswan Dam and said that former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak should "go to hell" if he did not want to visit Israel. As foreign minister from 2009 to 2015, however, he demonstrated greater pragmatism, publicly noting that Israel has to initiate its own peace ideas or else others will take action of their own.

Nevertheless, given his statements about Gaza, his appointment as defense minister will make some wonder whether another war with Hamas is in the offing. Previously, Netanyahu had named former senior generals as defense minister: Yitzhak Mordechai in 1996, Ehud Barak in 2009, and Yaalon in 2013. In contrast, Liberman has never held a senior position in the Israel Defense Forces, and it is far from clear how he will get along with top IDF brass. Since peace talks collapsed in 2014, the military leadership has sought to play a stabilizing role in the Israeli-Palestinian arena, particularly over the past few months -- an approach seemingly vindicated by a recent decrease in the wave of stabbing attacks (see "The Israeli Defense Forces Fill the Void," http://washin.st/1T10A9M). For his part, Liberman is publicly identified with calls for a major crackdown in the West Bank. He also visited the courtroom of IDF soldier Elor Azaria, who is on trial for manslaughter after shooting a Palestinian stabber in Hebron who was lying motionless on the ground. Liberman has called for mandatory death sentences on terrorists so that they cannot be released in prisoner exchanges, which some Israelis believe would deepen the spiral of retaliation. It is far from clear that Israel's Supreme Court would approve such a measure.

Interestingly, Liberman may try to use his new post to reach out to Mohammad Dahlan, a rival of Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas who is currently living in Abu Dhabi. Liberman reportedly has significant contacts with him; both men are withering critics of Abbas, and Dahlan sees himself as a potential successor to the eighty-one-year-old leader.

Apart from policy issues, it will be interesting to see if Liberman seeks to rejoin Netanyahu's Likud Party. He may view the Likud as a better political launchpad for a succession struggle than his own party, which is based on a Russian immigration wave that occurred twenty-five years ago.

YAALON'S FUTURE

It is unclear whether Netanyahu will offer to make Yaalon foreign minister and, if so, whether he would even accept. Netanyahu has yet to explain why he ousted the general, and the whole situation must grate on Yaalon.

In all likelihood, the move was purely a political maneuver to broaden the coalition. Liberman had made no secret of his desire to be defense minister as part of his longer-term plan to become prime minister in the future. At the same time, Yaalon has offered full-throated backing for IDF statements about the importance of maintaining the military's Western values -- not just on the Azaria case, but in terms of enhancing economic opportunities for Palestinians and speaking out against any Israelis who support discrimination. This suggests that he was at increasing odds with some of the young guard in the coalition; Netanyahu likely believed that he could not allow such an impression to take hold, and his continued silence will be seen as endorsing this narrative.

CONCLUSION

It is possible that Netanyahu genuinely wanted Herzog to join his government but was unwilling or unable to stand up to those who opposed the move. Whatever the case, he has now made a difficult tradeoff: although he gained six seats to ensure his political survival, he brought in a fierce rival who has made no bones about his low regard for the prime minister and his desire to succeed him. In the process, he is losing a loyal, experienced, and cooperative defense minister. Netanyahu also seems to be closing the door on a policy shift that could have blunted a string of international initiatives that are definitely not to his liking. Instead, he now has a harder uphill climb at home and abroad, and it is difficult to see how he has come out ahead.

Avigdor Lieberman
Date of birth	5 June 1958 (age 57)
Place of birth	Kishinev, Soviet Union (now Chișinău, Moldova)
Year of aliyah	1978
Knessets	15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Faction represented in Knesset
1999–2006	Yisrael Beiteinu (National Union; 1999–2003)
2006–present	Yisrael Beiteinu (Likud Beiteinu; 2012–2014)
Ministerial roles
2001–2002	Minister of National Infrastructure
2003–2004	Minister of Transportation
2006–2008	Deputy Prime Minister
2006–2008	Minister of Strategic Affairs
2009–2012	Deputy Prime Minister
2009–2012	Minister of Foreign Affairs
2013–2015	Minister of Foreign Affairs