Saturday, November 1, 2008

Israel's Netanyahu Rebuilds Likud Party, Assembles Cabinet Just In Case


At this point in time in the history of Israel, with the threat from Hezbollah, Hamas and Syria never being more grave and with the ominous threat of a nuclear Iran, I find it imperative that the Likud party of Israel takes over the leadership of Israel. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a Benjamin Netanyahu poster on my wall here but it's my belief that this is the only leader in the wings in Israel that can capably prepare Israel for what lies ahead.

Here's details, from DEBKA, of what Netanyahu has already set in motion, both in his Likud party but also in somewhat of a shadow cabinet in case elections are reshaped in Israel:


Former prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, energized by more than two years in opposition, is launching his Likud party into Israel’s general election campaign with a new look and a new top echelon.
DEBKAfile’s political sources report he is remolding it into a center-right party with a new leadership made up of the middle generation of Likud stalwarts and an infusion of outsiders from non-political occupations, rival parties, and at least two ex-generals.

Let's look at some of the personnel that Netanyahu is putting at the top of his list for cabinet positions in Israel:


They include, according to our exclusive sources, Benny Begin (son of the late prime minister Menahem Begin), Yair Shamir , Dan Meridor , former chief of staff, Lt. Gen. (Res) Moshe Yaalon , NU lawmaker Effie Eyta (a former general, who holds the key to the national religious vote), and former cabinet minister Nathan Sharansky , who is well-connected in Washington.

What the Israelis have to guard against in the upcoming years is simply this: Barack Obama just might become the POTUS next week and if that is so, then Israel finds themselves on an island in this world, where much of it is intent on destroying it.

It is my opinion that the reason things have been so quiet in the Middle East the past two months has got nothing to do with the truce with Hamas or peace negotiations with Fatah. Hamas, Fatah, Hezbollah and al Qaeda in Gaza have been silent because they are waiting the results of the American election. Believe me, they WANT Obama in charge and once he is elected, they will bring hell to pay down on Israel. If they tipped their hand too soon, they might see McCain get the election based on national security issues. So they have bit their lip through this period of time.

If Obama wins, Israel is a dead duck unless they install Netanyahu and this cabinet to look after the protection of Israel. It's really not a choice. It's a requirement.


Netanyahu Reshapes Likud, Builds Shadow Cabinet

Former prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, energized by more than two years in opposition, is launching his Likud party into Israel’s general election campaign with a new look and a new top echelon.
DEBKAfile’s political sources report he is remolding it into a center-right party with a new leadership made up of the middle generation of Likud stalwarts and an infusion of outsiders from non-political occupations, rival parties, and at least two ex-generals.
Negotiating in person, he is close to deals with a mixed bag of would-be star performers.
They include, according to our exclusive sources, Benny Begin (son of the late prime minister Menahem Begin), Yair Shamir , Dan Meridor , former chief of staff, Lt. Gen. (Res) Moshe Yaalon , NU lawmaker Effie Eyta (a former general, who holds the key to the national religious vote), and former cabinet minister Nathan Sharansky , who is well-connected in Washington.
Likud has also offered incentives to MKs Zeev Elkin and Marina Solodkin for quitting Tzipi Livni’s party and crossing the floor. Both are reputed vote-catchers among the large Russian-born electorate.
Likud’s recast center-right image is directed at drawing the moderate, pragmatic elements of the Israeli right wing, which two years ago voted for Kadima and which have much in common with the traditional base of Labor, the Kibbutz movement.
At the same time, he is offering a home for the Jewish communities of the West Bank (pop: 300,000), their supporters and the security hawks.

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