podesta_email_01559.txt

podesta-emails 3,494 words email

D6 P17 P18 V11 V12

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http://www.centerpeace.org ** Israel and the Middle East News Update ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Wednesday, May 20 ------------------------------------------------------------ Click here for a printer-friendly version. (http://www.centerpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/May-20.pdf) Headlines: * Israel Separating Palestinians, Israelis on West Bank Buses * Netanyahu: Iran-Backed Jihadi Threat Top Priority for New Govt’ * Herzog Mocks PM’s Chances of Reigniting Peace Process * Netanyahu Meets FIFA chief to Block Pal’ Suspension Attempt * Uri Ariel Taunts Obama on Twitter over Jerusalem Construction * Israel: US let Iran Plane Deal Go Ahead despite Sanctions * Fatah to Hamas: Stop Direct Negotiations with Israel * New UN Middle East Envoy to IL: Freeze Settlement construction Commentary: * Washington Post: “Israel’s Netanyahu Stops Short of Creating a Ministry of Magic" - By Ruth Eglash * Al Monitor: “Netanyahu's New Government Already on Shaky Ground” - By Ben Caspit ** Ha'aretz ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Israel Separating Palestinians, Israelis on WB Buses (http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.657260) ------------------------------------------------------------ Israel on Tuesday launched a pilot program under directive from Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon to separate Israeli and Palestinian bus travel in the West Bank. Palestinian workers will now have to return from Israel to the West Bank via the same checkpoint they left and will not be allowed to ride Israeli bus lines. The new regulations, implemented by the Civil Administration, could lengthen some workers' commutes by as much as two hours, according to the human rights organizations that plan to appeal against the new rules to the High Court of Justice. See also, “Opposition blasts separation of Israelis, Palestinians on West Bank buses” (Ha’aretz) (http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.657289) ** Times of Israel ------------------------------------------------------------ ** PM: Iran Jihadi Threat Top Priority for New Govt’ (http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-backed-jihadi-threat-top-priority-netanyahu-tells-president/) ------------------------------------------------------------ Benjamin Netanyahu formally presented his new cabinet at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday, and vowed to put the fight against Islamist extremists at the top of his agenda. “This government has been established at a time of great challenges and opportunities,” Netanyahu said. “Our first challenge is to ensure the security of Israel in the face of accumulating threats around us. Radical Islam is lapping at all our borders, nearly all in the form of factions and forces led by Iran and other radical elements.” He said, however, that the country would seek to forge new alliances given the regional turmoil, hinting at Israel’s shared interests with Sunni states against Iran. ** Jerusalem Post ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Herzog Mocks PM’s Chances of Reigniting P. Process (http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Herzog-mocks-Netanyahus-chances-of-reigniting-peace-process-403600) ------------------------------------------------------------ A day after Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted saying in closed conversations that he wants to restart the peace process, opposition leader Isaac Herzog expressed doubt on Tuesday that talks would begin while Netanyahu is in power. Herzog mocked the prime minister’s decision to distribute the former responsibilities of the Foreign Ministry among six different Likud politicians, including putting vice premier Silvan Shalom in charge of the currently nonexistent peace talks with the Palestinians. “There may be a peace process between Netanyahu and Silvan Shalom,” Herzog said. “Spreading out the Foreign Ministry’s functions shows it’s just another example of Netanyahu’s circus.” ** Ha'aretz ------------------------------------------------------------ ** PM Meets FIFA to Block Pal’ Suspension Attempt (http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.657232) ------------------------------------------------------------ FIFA President Sepp Blatter, in Israel to try to resolve the crisis between Israel and the Palestinian Authority over suspending Israel’s membership in the international soccer association, met Tuesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The purpose of the meeting was to seek a solution to Palestinian complaints that Israel is restricting the movements of Palestinian soccer players in Gaza and the West Bank. A senior official in Jerusalem said Israel wants to find a solution that will stop a planned vote on a Palestinian resolution to suspend Israel, at the FIFA congress on May 27. Netanyahu said at the start of his meeting with Blatter that any attempt to politicize sports – which he said could destroy FIFA, soccer’s international governing body – should be stopped. ** Jerusalem Post ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Uri Ariel Taunts Obama on Twitter over Jerusalem (http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Israeli-right-wing-minister-taunts-Obama-on-Twitter-over-Jerusalem-construction-403599) ------------------------------------------------------------ US President Barack Obama received a rude welcome on his newly opened personal Twitter account on Tuesday from a right-wing Israeli minister who made it clear the new government in Jerusalem has no plans to cease construction in disputed areas of the capital. Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel of the pro-settler Bayit Yehudi party wrote: “Welcome! Happy Jerusalem Day! In case u didn׳t hear PM Netanyahu: "Jerusalem won't be divided again, we build all over the city." Ariel’s tweet elicited angry reactions from Israeli Twitter users, one of whom wrote: “You remind me of a pyromaniac who lights things on fire and then rushes to tell his friends so that they don’t miss the blaze.” ** Ynet News ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Israel: US Enabled Iran Plane Deal despite Sanctions (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4659189,00.html) ------------------------------------------------------------ A senior Israeli official took a swipe at Washington on Tuesday over Iran's purchase of second-hand civilian aircraft, saying the acquisition violated US sanctions and went ahead despite a tip-off from Israel. Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoondi was quoted on May 11 by the Iranian Students News Agency as saying Tehran bought 15 used commercial planes in the last three months. He did not say who sold them or how they had been acquired. A long-standing ban on the export of aircraft spare parts to Iran was eased under an interim nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers in late 2013, but the US sanctions regime continues to restrict sales of planes. "Israel learned from intelligence sources about this very significant breach of the sanctions in advance of it occurring," said the Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity. See also, “Israel: US let Iran break sanctions to purchase aircraft” (Times of Israel) (http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-us-let-iran-break-sanctions-to-purchase-aircraft/) ** Ynet News ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Fatah to Hamas: Stop Direct Negotiations with Israel ------------------------------------------------------------ Arab diplomats told the Jordanian newspaper Al-Dustour yesterday that Israel has been holding direct talks with Hamas about the establishment of a floating seaport in the Gaza Strip, among other issues. In response, Fatah has called on Hamas to stop the talks immediately, arguing that those talks “contradict the national Palestinian interest.” A statement issued by a Fatah spokesman, Osama al-Qawasme, and which was published by the Palestinian news agency, Wafa, noted that the talks between Hamas and Israel served Israel’s interests, since Israel “aspires to separate between the Gaza Strip and Palestine.” He went on to say that the Palestinian Authority was the only entity that had the right to hold talks with Israel about ending the occupation.” Ahmed Yousef, a Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, said in April that talks were being held between Hamas and Israel about a truce by means of Turkish mediators. ** Israel Radio News ------------------------------------------------------------ ** UN Envoy to Israel: Freeze Settlement Construction ------------------------------------------------------------ The new UN Middle East envoy has called upon Israel to freeze construction in the settlements and to take more steps to resume the negotiations with the Palestinians. The envoy, Nikolai Mladenov, said at a meeting of the UN Security Council that he would work with UN Secretary General Ban and with the new government of Israel to see if the negotiations could resume for a two-state solution according to a logical timetable. ** Washington Post – May 18, 2015 ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Israel’s Netanyahu Stops Short of Creating a Ministry of Magic (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/05/18/israels-netanyahu-stops-short-of-creating-a-ministry-of-magic/) ------------------------------------------------------------ By Ruth Eglash In his inauguration speech on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decried the problems he faced piecing together a ruling coalition despite an unexpected win at the polls in March. Indeed, it took "King Bibi" nearly two long, arduous months to reach agreements with four other parties to create the new government. He needed a minimum of 61 lawmakers to secure a majority — the slimmest possible — in Israel’s 120-seat parliament. No one here was too surprised by the frantic political negotiations or by Netanyahu managing to pull it together for the fourth time. But what has left commentators — and the public — a bit perplexed is the mishmash of ministries that were announced, some of which he was forced to create to keep senior members of his own Likud party happy. 1. Prime minister, minister of foreign affairs, minister of health, minister of communications, minister of regional cooperation — Benjamin Netanyahu. Yep, that’s right, Netanyahu will head at least five ministries. There are several theories about why he kept these slots for himself, especially at the expense of one of his party’s most senior and popular lawmakers, Gilad Erdan. For now, Erdan, the outgoing interior minister, will remain outside the government. According to media speculation, the Likud No. 2 had been hoping to receive a top ministry — education, justice or foreign —but that never materialized. While the education and justice portfolios were dished out as part of deals to other parties, it is still unclear why Netanyahu is holding on to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some commentators believe it is because the prime minister wants to use the position as a bargaining chip to lure in another coalition partner, possibly opposition leader Isaac Herzog, and strengthen the government. Only time will tell. 2. Minister in the Communications Ministry — Ofir Akunis. Previously a deputy minister, Ofir Akunis was bestowed the role of "minister in the Communication Ministry." And, no, that is not a typo. When the formal announcement was made by a Likud spokesman on Thursday, some journalists asked whether there was a mistake in the title. But the flack confirmed that Akunis would be ‘a minister in the Communications Ministry’ — which, of course, will be run by none other than the prime minister. Perhaps to quickly save face, Akunis’s new job description was revised to the more respectable title of "minister-without-portfolio" … to serve in the Communications Ministry. 3. Minister of science, technology and space — Danny Danon. Far-right lawmaker Danny Danon was fired from his post as deputy defense minister after criticizing the government’s restraint during last summer’s war with Hamas in Gaza. However, when Netanyahu appointed him science, technology and space minister, the question was not how the oft-outspoken politician managed to patch things up with the big boss, but rather: Whom exactly he is representing in outer space? Almost immediately a host of memes appeared on social media, as well as two Facebook pages that poked fun at Israel’s new "minister for alien affairs." They garnered thousands of "likes." However, in response to questions about his new position and title, Danon explained in a radio interview that, in fact, his predecessor, Yaakov Peri, had created the title. And, he insisted, it was fitting because Israel does have a serious space program. 4. Minister of immigrant absorption and strategic affairs — Ze’ev Elkin. Immigration to Israel is called “aliyah,” which in Hebrew means “the act of going up” or “ascending,” and encouraging aliyah among Jews around the world is one of the primary functions of the Immigrant Absorption Ministry. It's true that Ze’ev Elkin, a former deputy foreign minister who served as chairman of the coalition in the last government, might have gained invaluable experience keeping the peace between warring ministers. But encouraging aliyah at a time when Israel faces all sorts of strategic external threats might prove a little more tricky. 5. Minister of senior citizens, gender equality, young people and minority affairs — Gila Gamliel. It sounds a bit like a 5-year-old's glued-together art project: Former deputy minister Gila Gamliel, one of the youngest members of the new government, will be responsible for the country’s elderly, its youths, its minorities and its women. Basically, a ministry for anyone who is not white, male and between 25 to 65 years old. Good luck with all that. ** Al Monitor – May 20, 2015 ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Netanyahu's New Government Already on Shaky Ground ------------------------------------------------------------ By Ben Caspit Israel’s Knesset convened May 18 for its first official meeting since the presentation and swearing-in of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government. The new ministers have begun getting accustomed to the new, difficult political reality forced on them. Since Netanyahu’s fourth government is based on a very slim majority — 61 supporters in the coalition versus 59 in the opposition — ministers and Knesset members (MKs) in the coalition will have to remain firmly grounded, ready to vote at any given moment in the Knesset plenum. Until today, an “offset,” or quid pro quo, system had been customary in the Israeli parliament. This meant that coalition MKs could go on trips abroad and otherwise be absent from the plenum as much as they wanted as long as they could produce the name of a corresponding MK in the opposition who agreed to “offset” him or her — in other words, be absent from the same meetings and votes. As of now, the offset method has been revoked, and all leaves have been canceled. Everyone, and that means everyone, is confined to the plenum in a brittle, rare and terrifying balancing act. MK Eitan Cabel, chairman of the Zionist Camp faction, which has 24 MKs, said on opening day that he has no intention of founding a “humanitarian exceptions committee” to give passes to unfortunate MKs who need to travel abroad. “They are in the coalition,” said Cabel, “and they need to win every vote. We in the opposition only need one vote to topple the government, and we’ll do it.” Is it really so simple? The burning question of the day is what is the anticipated life span of Netanyahu’s government, balanced on a hair's breadth? Indeed, the government is already threatened by former popular minister and senior Likud Party member Gilad Erdan choosing to remain outside the festivities and the government, practically a one-man opposition against the prime minister. Well, different people have different answers to the life-span question. Newbie opposition member and former Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman was quoted by associates as saying in closed talks May 18 that the government will fall faster than we think, “within months, maximum a year.” An additional, fascinating question is: How long will it take for Liberman to get tired of the frustrating life in the opposition after being accustomed to a cushy, extended tenure in the Foreign Ministry? Meantime, Liberman swears he's enjoying every minute of it, but the strong impulses that led him to take revenge on Netanyahu and topple him still exist and in full force. Liberman has no intention of giving up. He represents an alternative to Netanyahu on the right and is waiting in a dark corner for the right moment. The only problem is that the corner is shadowy, shabby, and boring. Netanyahu will try his utmost to enlarge the government. The problem is that at this point, he has no options. Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog, with whom he had been in indirect contact in recent weeks, slammed the door in his face with a belligerent opposition speech during the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid is not interested because it would be political suicide for him to join Netanyahu’s government. In any case, the ultra-Orthodox parties would veto Lapid. Liberman? The hatred between the two men broke new records. Given this state of affairs, Netanyahu will try to “fish” for isolated Knesset members in various parties to raise the quota of coalition MKs even by another two or three members. Here, too, however, there is no good news. Only one MK, former journalist Sharon Gal, who joined Liberman and serves in the Knesset under him, is viewed as a “possible target” for courting by Netanyahu. It's doubtful that Gal will make the move, and even if he does, it's doubtful that it will be sufficient. Still, under the current system it's hard to bring down a government. The main obstacle faced by Netanyahu is the budget, which must pass before the end of the year. If he fails to pass a budget, with his razor-thin majority his government will fall. Another possibility is a no-confidence vote, but now, in contrast to the past, the opposition needs 61 hands to topple the government, plus it has to present an alternative government as well. This is no easy task. Thus, Netanyahu’s real existential threat is his finance minister, Moshe Kahlon. In the course of the coalition negotiations, Kahlon made it clear that he would not join a 61-member coalition, because it will be difficult for him to pass the reforms he plans. Reality slapped Netanyahu in the face, however, and the only coalition he was able to assemble was the narrow coalition that Kahlon feared. Thus the way for the opposition to undermine Netanyahu’s government is to try and make Kahlon’s life miserable, torpedoing his reforms in the hope that he’ll get sick and tired of it and dissolve the government on his own. This is the scenario that worries Netanyahu as well. Meanwhile, the new government is breaking all previous records in contradictions and fallacies suffered by its predecessors. The best example is Silvan Shalom, who also almost remained outside the government, joining at the last minute. Shalom received the Interior Ministry portfolio — minus the planning and construction jurisdictions, which were given to the finance minister — and the empty title of “vice prime minister.” Recently, it was publicized that Netanyahu had appointed Shalom to be “responsible for conducting negotiations with the Palestinians” and for “dialogue and strategic relations with the United States.” We must remember that the current government has no active foreign minister, because that portfolio remains in Netanyahu’s hands. Shalom, like many other Likud higher-ups, has expressed many times over the course of the past year that he is against a Palestinian state and the two-state solution. So, what kind of negotiations can he hold with the Palestinians? What exactly will he negotiate? Netanyahu announced on Jerusalem Day, May 17, that Israel’s capital will never be the capital of any other nation or state, slamming the door on all attempts to renew negotiations. After only 24 hours, the Jerusalem Post quoted Netanyahu’s associates as saying that he aims to “renew the talks with the Palestinians.” This leak was meant to serve as a welcoming greeting for Federica Mogherini, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, who is due to arrive in Israel May 19 for meetings with Netanyahu and other high-level officials. It is clear to everyone involved that Netanyahu and Israel cannot continue to juggle so many balls in the air for much longer. During his ultra-right-wing election campaign, the prime minister announced that a Palestinian state would not happen. Afterward he moderated his tone and began to talk again about negotiations, although his coalition makeup does not lend itself to any kind of flexibility and negates the basic assumption of any future peace agreement. How does one untangle this mess? Netanyahu hopes to go with the flow of events, to buy time and survive until the expiration of the serving American president's term. And speaking of Barack Obama, let us also mention that he is responsible for Netanyahu’s most important moment this week. Contrary to previous assessments, the president said that the chances for achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians are very slim at the moment, mainly because of the composition of Israel’s coalition. In Jerusalem, they breathed a sigh of relief, but also raised a worried eyebrow. What was behind Obama's announcement? At the beginning of his second term, Obama had staked his political capital on the goal of achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Will Obama now give the European Union the green light to start a campaign of boycotts and ostracism of Israel, including passing a resolution in the Security Council on outlines for an agreement with the Palestinians, thus gradually transforming Israel into a pariah state? Jerusalem has been receiving scraps of information indicating that this is, indeed, the direction in which things are headed. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Netanyahu’s people say. At the moment, they are battling enough fires on the domestic front. They’ll deal with the global front later. ============================================================ S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace 633 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20004 ** www.centerpeace.org (http://www.centerpeace.org) 2015 S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace, All rights reserved. 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