ALERT Main Israel/Hamas/Gaza Thread
- Thread starter Lilbitsnana
- Start date
jward
passin' thru
Is Egypt planning to retake control of the Gaza Strip?
Entry of construction equipment first time Egypt has deployed in the coastal enclave it used to rule until 1967.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
JUNE 7, 2021 20:51
Building equipment, sent by Egypt for Palestinians, arrive in the southern Gaza Strip June 4, 2021
(photo credit: REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA)
Scenes of dozens of Egyptian bulldozers, cranes and trucks entering the Gaza Strip last Friday have left some Palestinians wondering whether Egypt is planning to return to the coastal enclave it ruled between 1948 and 1967.
The Egyptian decision to send building equipment and engineers to the Gaza Strip came within the context of Cairo’s pledge to contribute to reconstruction efforts there after the recent fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi has pledged $500 million to help rebuild the houses and buildings that were destroyed during the fighting.
The presence of the Egyptian construction teams in the Gaza Strip means that Hamas and other Palestinian factions will not be able to resume the rocket attacks on Israel, Palestinian sources told The Jerusalem Post.
“It will be hard for Hamas to initiate another round of fighting with Israel when there are many Egyptians inside the Gaza Strip,” one of the sources said. “If Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad start firing rockets at Israel while the Egyptian construction teams are working in the Gaza Strip, the two groups will get into trouble with Egypt.”
According to the sources, the Egyptians have warned Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar against initiating another round of fighting while Cairo pursues its efforts to help rebuild the Gaza Strip.
During the 1948 War of Independence, the Arab League established the “All-Palestine Government” to govern the Egyptian-controlled Gaza Strip. Palestinians living in the enclave were issued “All-Palestine” passports. Egypt did not offer them citizenship. After the dissolution of the All-Palestine Government in 1959, Egypt continued to control the Gaza Strip until 1967.
The Egyptians, however, never annexed the Gaza Strip and chose to administer it through a military governor.
“There are many rumors that the Egyptians are planning to return to the Gaza Strip,” said a veteran Palestinian journalist in the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave. “Many people here are convinced that the Egyptian-sponsored reconstruction work is part of a plan to pave the way for a permanent Egyptian security presence in the Gaza Strip.”
The Egyptians played a crucial role in reaching the Israel-Hamas ceasefirethat went into effect on May 21.
The head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service, Abbas Kamel, last week made a rare visit to the Gaza Strip, where he met with leaders of Hamas and other Palestinian factions and discussed with them ways of maintaining the ceasefire and the reconstruction efforts.
Kamel’s visit to the Gaza Strip is seen by some Palestinian political analysts as a sign of Egypt’s intention to play a major role in the coastal enclave in particular and the Palestinian arena in general.
“I don’t believe that Egypt wants to go back to the days when it was administering the Gaza Strip,” one analyst told the Post. “But Sisi’s decision to contribute to the reconstruction effort shows that he wants to be heavily involved with everything concerning the Gaza Strip.”
Relations between Egypt and Hamas have improved over the past few years, the analyst said.
Relations between Egypt and Hamas were strained when Sisi came to power in 2013 after deposing president Mohamed Morsi and outlawing the Muslim Brotherhood. In 2015, an Egyptian court listed Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, as a terrorist organization.
Morsi and other members of the Muslim Brotherhood were later charged with spying for Hamas and Iran.
Until a few years ago, Egypt’s state-controlled media had accused Hamas of helping Muslim terrorists who attacked Egyptian security forces in the Sinai. Hamas has strongly denied the charges, saying it does not meddle in the internal affairs of any Arab country.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas appreciates the efforts Egypt has been making to calm the situation and assist in the reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian official in Ramallah told the Post.
He dismissed talk about a possible return of Egyptian control of the Gaza Strip.
“The Egyptians are working to achieve Palestinian national reconciliation and reunite the West Bank with the Gaza Strip,” the official said. “That’s why they have invited representatives of several Palestinian factions to Cairo. The Egyptians support the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem.”
Posted for fair use
www.jpost.com
Entry of construction equipment first time Egypt has deployed in the coastal enclave it used to rule until 1967.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
JUNE 7, 2021 20:51
Building equipment, sent by Egypt for Palestinians, arrive in the southern Gaza Strip June 4, 2021
(photo credit: REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA)
Scenes of dozens of Egyptian bulldozers, cranes and trucks entering the Gaza Strip last Friday have left some Palestinians wondering whether Egypt is planning to return to the coastal enclave it ruled between 1948 and 1967.
The Egyptian decision to send building equipment and engineers to the Gaza Strip came within the context of Cairo’s pledge to contribute to reconstruction efforts there after the recent fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi has pledged $500 million to help rebuild the houses and buildings that were destroyed during the fighting.
The presence of the Egyptian construction teams in the Gaza Strip means that Hamas and other Palestinian factions will not be able to resume the rocket attacks on Israel, Palestinian sources told The Jerusalem Post.
“It will be hard for Hamas to initiate another round of fighting with Israel when there are many Egyptians inside the Gaza Strip,” one of the sources said. “If Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad start firing rockets at Israel while the Egyptian construction teams are working in the Gaza Strip, the two groups will get into trouble with Egypt.”
According to the sources, the Egyptians have warned Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar against initiating another round of fighting while Cairo pursues its efforts to help rebuild the Gaza Strip.
During the 1948 War of Independence, the Arab League established the “All-Palestine Government” to govern the Egyptian-controlled Gaza Strip. Palestinians living in the enclave were issued “All-Palestine” passports. Egypt did not offer them citizenship. After the dissolution of the All-Palestine Government in 1959, Egypt continued to control the Gaza Strip until 1967.
The Egyptians, however, never annexed the Gaza Strip and chose to administer it through a military governor.
“There are many rumors that the Egyptians are planning to return to the Gaza Strip,” said a veteran Palestinian journalist in the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave. “Many people here are convinced that the Egyptian-sponsored reconstruction work is part of a plan to pave the way for a permanent Egyptian security presence in the Gaza Strip.”
The Egyptians played a crucial role in reaching the Israel-Hamas ceasefirethat went into effect on May 21.
The head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service, Abbas Kamel, last week made a rare visit to the Gaza Strip, where he met with leaders of Hamas and other Palestinian factions and discussed with them ways of maintaining the ceasefire and the reconstruction efforts.
Kamel’s visit to the Gaza Strip is seen by some Palestinian political analysts as a sign of Egypt’s intention to play a major role in the coastal enclave in particular and the Palestinian arena in general.
“I don’t believe that Egypt wants to go back to the days when it was administering the Gaza Strip,” one analyst told the Post. “But Sisi’s decision to contribute to the reconstruction effort shows that he wants to be heavily involved with everything concerning the Gaza Strip.”
Relations between Egypt and Hamas have improved over the past few years, the analyst said.
Relations between Egypt and Hamas were strained when Sisi came to power in 2013 after deposing president Mohamed Morsi and outlawing the Muslim Brotherhood. In 2015, an Egyptian court listed Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, as a terrorist organization.
Morsi and other members of the Muslim Brotherhood were later charged with spying for Hamas and Iran.
Until a few years ago, Egypt’s state-controlled media had accused Hamas of helping Muslim terrorists who attacked Egyptian security forces in the Sinai. Hamas has strongly denied the charges, saying it does not meddle in the internal affairs of any Arab country.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas appreciates the efforts Egypt has been making to calm the situation and assist in the reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian official in Ramallah told the Post.
He dismissed talk about a possible return of Egyptian control of the Gaza Strip.
“The Egyptians are working to achieve Palestinian national reconciliation and reunite the West Bank with the Gaza Strip,” the official said. “That’s why they have invited representatives of several Palestinian factions to Cairo. The Egyptians support the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem.”
Posted for fair use
Is Egypt planning to retake control of the Gaza Strip?
Entry of construction equipment first time Egypt has deployed in the coastal enclave it used to rule until 1967.
www.jpost.com
Lilbitsnana
On TB every waking moment
Just when you think things can't get more interesting there.
danielboon
TB Fanatic
INDEED
danielboon
TB Fanatic
EndGameWW3
@EndGameWW3
·
52m
Update: Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah: Netanyahu may go for any options and may commit stupidity in Jerusalem. Nasrallah: "An attack on Jerusalem means a regional war."
@EndGameWW3
·
52m
Update: Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah: Netanyahu may go for any options and may commit stupidity in Jerusalem. Nasrallah: "An attack on Jerusalem means a regional war."
danielboon
TB Fanatic
EndGameWW3
@EndGameWW3
·
8m
Jerusalem flag march to be held next Tuesday, 2 days after vote on new coalition https://timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-flag-march-to-be-held-next-tuesday-2-days-after-vote-on-new-coalition/… via
@timesofisrael
@EndGameWW3
·
8m
Jerusalem flag march to be held next Tuesday, 2 days after vote on new coalition https://timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-flag-march-to-be-held-next-tuesday-2-days-after-vote-on-new-coalition/… via
@timesofisrael
danielboon
TB Fanatic
danielboon
TB Fanatic
The Intel Crab
@IntelCrab
·
Jun 7
Iranian media: A fire broke out in the warehouse of a western food production company.
@IntelCrab
·
Jun 7
Iranian media: A fire broke out in the warehouse of a western food production company.
jward
passin' thru
Syria intercepts Israeli missile strike over Damascus -state media
Reuters
Syrian air defences on Tuesday intercepted an Israeli missile strike over the capital Damascus, state media reported, while military defectors said the missiles may have targeted Iranian-backed militias.
"Syrian air defences intercepted an Israeli aggression coming from Lebanese airspace," state media said. Earlier, state media said large explosions were heard.
A Syrian military source was quoted on state media as saying the strikes targeted parts of central and southern areas, without elaborating on the locations, adding they left only material damage.
Some state media outlets said the strikes hit Homs province which also adjoins neighbouring Lebanon, where the Iranian- backed Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah holds sway along the rugged border area.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. If confirmed, this would be the first such missile raid in about a month. Pre-dawn raids struck the Mediterranean port of Latakia close to a Russian air base on May 5.
Western intelligence sources said Israel’s stepped-up strikes on Syria since last year are part of a shadow war approved by the United States. The strikes are also part of an anti-Iran policy that in the last two years has undermined Iran’s extensive military power without starting a major increase in hostilities.
The intelligence sources said that Israel has over the past year expanded its targets across Syria, where thousands of Iranian-backed militias have been involved in regaining much of the territory lost by Syrian President Bashar al Assad to insurgents in the decade-old civil war.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
www.reuters.com
Reuters
Syrian air defences on Tuesday intercepted an Israeli missile strike over the capital Damascus, state media reported, while military defectors said the missiles may have targeted Iranian-backed militias.
"Syrian air defences intercepted an Israeli aggression coming from Lebanese airspace," state media said. Earlier, state media said large explosions were heard.
A Syrian military source was quoted on state media as saying the strikes targeted parts of central and southern areas, without elaborating on the locations, adding they left only material damage.
Some state media outlets said the strikes hit Homs province which also adjoins neighbouring Lebanon, where the Iranian- backed Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah holds sway along the rugged border area.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. If confirmed, this would be the first such missile raid in about a month. Pre-dawn raids struck the Mediterranean port of Latakia close to a Russian air base on May 5.
Western intelligence sources said Israel’s stepped-up strikes on Syria since last year are part of a shadow war approved by the United States. The strikes are also part of an anti-Iran policy that in the last two years has undermined Iran’s extensive military power without starting a major increase in hostilities.
The intelligence sources said that Israel has over the past year expanded its targets across Syria, where thousands of Iranian-backed militias have been involved in regaining much of the territory lost by Syrian President Bashar al Assad to insurgents in the decade-old civil war.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Syria intercepts Israeli missile strike over Damascus -state media
Syrian air defences on Tuesday intercepted an Israeli missile strike over the capital Damascus, state media reported, while military defectors said the missiles may have targeted Iranian-backed militias.
www.reuters.com
jward
passin' thru
TurkishFacts4u
@TurkishFacts4U
41m
There are unconfirmed reports that last night #Turkey scrambled F-16's from Incirlik AF base after becoming aware of Israeli fighter Jets entering #Syria's Airspace. The objective was reportedly to run CAP missions over Idlib & other areas under Turkish guarantees in Syria.
jward
passin' thru
WAR - Multiple Targets Bombed in Alleged IDF Strike in Syria
Multiple Targets Bombed in Alleged IDF Strike in Syria 2 minutes Another IDF strike in Syria? (Archive: Pixabay) Israel attacked multiple sites in central and southern Syria Tuesday night, local media reported. IDF fighter jets fired missiles from Lebanese airspace...
jward
passin' thru
Guy Elster
@guyelster
1h
#Israel special forces killed three Palestinians in the West Bank overnight: two of them were part of the PA security forces, who opened fire at the Israeli force after he killed an Islamic Jihad fighter. This incident could ignite an escalation quickly
_________________________________________________________________________
Anna Ahronheim
@AAhronheim
28m
Two Palestinian Authority intelligence officers and one Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant were killed last night in a firefight with Israeli YAMAM and Shin Bet forces who had come to arrest 2 militants. Not a good time for this...
View: https://twitter.com/AAhronheim/status/1402863479502032897?s=20
@guyelster
1h
#Israel special forces killed three Palestinians in the West Bank overnight: two of them were part of the PA security forces, who opened fire at the Israeli force after he killed an Islamic Jihad fighter. This incident could ignite an escalation quickly
_________________________________________________________________________
Anna Ahronheim
@AAhronheim
28m
Two Palestinian Authority intelligence officers and one Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant were killed last night in a firefight with Israeli YAMAM and Shin Bet forces who had come to arrest 2 militants. Not a good time for this...
View: https://twitter.com/AAhronheim/status/1402863479502032897?s=20
Last edited:
Overnight 3 Palestinians were killed in an exchange of fire with IDF forces in Jenin. 2 are identified as PA security forces, while the third is said to be a member of the PIJ
View: https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1402856639510810632
View: https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1402856639510810632
Shocking! They may have gotten something right. Bet Biden had to stew about that a looong time!
This looks like a recipe for disaster. Two "allies" on different sides of the Israeli situation, and no doubt with other conflicting alliances, using the same base and air space.
TurkishFacts4u
@TurkishFacts4U
41m
There are unconfirmed reports that last night #Turkey scrambled F-16's from Incirlik AF base after becoming aware of Israeli fighter Jets entering #Syria's Airspace. The objective was reportedly to run CAP missions over Idlib & other areas under Turkish guarantees in Syria.
jward
passin' thru
timesofisrael.com
In stunning, revelatory interview, ex-Mossad chief warns Iran, defends Netanyahu
By TOI staff Today, 1:49 am Edit
14-17 minutes
Yossi Cohen, who retired as head of the Mossad last week, provided highly specific details of recent Mossad activity against Iran, his interactions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his role in Israel’s normalization with the UAE, and his own undercover career in an extraordinary interview on Israeli television broadcast on Thursday night.
Cohen intimated that his agency blew up Iran’s underground centrifuge facility at Natanz, gave a precise description of the 2018 operation in which the Mossad stole Iran’s nuclear archive from safes in a Tehran warehouse, confirmed that Iran’s assassinated top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh had been in Mossad’s sights for years, and said the regime needs to understand that Israel means what it says when it vows to prevent Iran attaining nuclear weapons.
In what would appear to be the most revelatory interview ever given by a Mossad chief so close to the end of his active service, Cohen, who was appointed by Netanyahu, said he did not rule out seeking to become prime minister one day, though he wasn’t contemplating such an ambition at the moment.
The interview was presumably approved by Israel’s military censors, and Cohen was circumspect on numerous occasions, but nonetheless talked about his career and key operations with an openness and detail radically atypical of spy chiefs, especially those whose service has only recently ended.
Early in the more than an hour of conversations for journalist Ilan Dayan’s “Uvda” (Fact) documentary show on Israel’s Channel 12, Cohen indicated that he was deeply familiar with Iran’s various nuclear sites, and said that, if given the opportunity, he would take Dayan to the underground “celler” at Natanz, where, he said, “the centrifuges used to spin.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-stunning-revelatory-interview-mossad-chief-warns-iran-defends-netanyahu/
In stunning, revelatory interview, ex-Mossad chief warns Iran, defends Netanyahu
By TOI staff Today, 1:49 am Edit
14-17 minutes
Yossi Cohen, who retired as head of the Mossad last week, provided highly specific details of recent Mossad activity against Iran, his interactions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his role in Israel’s normalization with the UAE, and his own undercover career in an extraordinary interview on Israeli television broadcast on Thursday night.
Cohen intimated that his agency blew up Iran’s underground centrifuge facility at Natanz, gave a precise description of the 2018 operation in which the Mossad stole Iran’s nuclear archive from safes in a Tehran warehouse, confirmed that Iran’s assassinated top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh had been in Mossad’s sights for years, and said the regime needs to understand that Israel means what it says when it vows to prevent Iran attaining nuclear weapons.
In what would appear to be the most revelatory interview ever given by a Mossad chief so close to the end of his active service, Cohen, who was appointed by Netanyahu, said he did not rule out seeking to become prime minister one day, though he wasn’t contemplating such an ambition at the moment.
The interview was presumably approved by Israel’s military censors, and Cohen was circumspect on numerous occasions, but nonetheless talked about his career and key operations with an openness and detail radically atypical of spy chiefs, especially those whose service has only recently ended.
Early in the more than an hour of conversations for journalist Ilan Dayan’s “Uvda” (Fact) documentary show on Israel’s Channel 12, Cohen indicated that he was deeply familiar with Iran’s various nuclear sites, and said that, if given the opportunity, he would take Dayan to the underground “celler” at Natanz, where, he said, “the centrifuges used to spin.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-stunning-revelatory-interview-mossad-chief-warns-iran-defends-netanyahu/
jward
passin' thru
Khaled Abu Toameh
@KhaledAbuToameh
Egypt calls off Palestinian reconciliation talks amid a growing dispute between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas over Gaza reconstruction and other issues.
@KhaledAbuToameh
Egypt calls off Palestinian reconciliation talks amid a growing dispute between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas over Gaza reconstruction and other issues.
Ismail Haniyeh said planning trip to Iran, Lebanon as Cairo negotiations stall
View: https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1403281934264983553
View: https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1403281934264983553
danielboon
TB Fanatic
Netanyahu leaving Joe quite a message
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/NTarnopolsky/status/1404098876454412292
jward
passin' thru
New Israeli coalition government poised to end Netanyahu's reign
Issued on: 13/06/2021 - 06:29
Protesters take part in a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on potentially the last day of his premiership, Jerusalem June 12, 2021. © Ammar Awad, Reuters
Israeli lawmakers are to vote Sunday on a "change" coalition government of bitter ideological rivals united by their determination to banish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power.
The crunch Knesset vote will either terminate the hawkish premier's uninterrupted 12-year tenure or return Israel to a stalemate likely to trigger a fifth general election since 2019.
Netanyahu, who is battling a clutch of corruption charges in an ongoing trial he dismisses as a conspiracy, has pushed Israeli politics firmly to the right over the years.
On Saturday night, around 2,000 protesters rallied outside the 71-year-old's official residence to celebrate what they believe will be his departure from office.
"For us, this is a big night and tomorrow will be even a bigger day. I am almost crying. We fought peacefully for this (Netanyahu's departure) and the day has come," said protester Ofir Robinski.
A fragile eight-party alliance, ranging from the right-wing Jewish nationalist Yamina party to Arab lawmakers, was early this month cobbled together by centrist politician Yair Lapid.
On Friday, all coalition agreements had been signed and submitted to the Knesset secretariat, Yamina announced, a moment party leader Naftali Bennett said brought "to an end two and a half years of political crisis".
But the ever-combative Netanyahu has tried to peel off defectors that would deprive the nascent coalition of its wafer thin legislative majority.
'Peaceful transition'
If the new government is confirmed, Bennett, a former defence minister, would serve as premier for two years.
Coalition architect Lapid, who heads the Yesh Atid party and is a former television presenter, would then take the helm.
The anti-Netanyahu bloc spans the political spectrum, including three right-wing, two centrist and two left-wing parties, along with an Arab Islamic conservative party.
The improbable alliance emerged two weeks after an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist group that rules the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and following inter-communal violence in Israeli cities with significant Arab populations.
"We will work together, out of partnership and national responsibility -- and I believe we will succeed," Bennett said Friday.
Sunday's crucial Knesset session is due to open at 4:00 pm local time (1300 GMT), with Bennett, Lapid and Netanyahu all set to speak before the vote.
Netanyahu has heaped pressure on his former right-wing allies to defect from the fledgling coalition while attacking the legitimacy of the Bennett-Lapid partnership.
He has accused Bennett of "fraud" for siding with rivals, and angry rallies by the premier's Likud party supporters have resulted in security being bolstered for some lawmakers.
Netanyahu's bombastic remarks as he sees his grip on power slip have drawn parallels at home and abroad to former US president Donald Trump, who described his election loss last year as the result of a rigged vote.
The prime minister has called the prospective coalition "the greatest election fraud in the history" of Israel.
His Likud party said the accusations refer to Bennett entering a coalition that "doesn't reflect the will of the voters"
'Scorched earth'
Sunday's vote arrives hot on the heels of police crackdowns on Palestinian protests over the threatened eviction of families from homes in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem to make way for Jewish settlers, a month after similar clashes fuelled the latest war between Israel and Hamas.
It also comes amid right-wing anger over the postponement of a controversial Jewish nationalist march.
Netanyahu favoured finding a way to allow the so-called "March of the Flags", originally scheduled to take place last Thursday, to proceed as planned.
He took that position despite the original route envisaging the march unfolding close to flashpoint areas including the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, where clashes last month triggered the Gaza conflict.
The premier's insistence saw his opponents accuse him and his allies of stoking tensions to cling onto power via a "scorched-earth" campaign.
If Netanyahu loses the premiership, he will not be able to push through changes to basic laws that could give him immunity in regard to his corruption trial.
The controversial flag march is now slated for Tuesday and ongoing tensions surrounding it could represent a key initial test for any approved coalition.
www.france24.com
Issued on: 13/06/2021 - 06:29
Protesters take part in a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on potentially the last day of his premiership, Jerusalem June 12, 2021. © Ammar Awad, Reuters
Israeli lawmakers are to vote Sunday on a "change" coalition government of bitter ideological rivals united by their determination to banish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power.
The crunch Knesset vote will either terminate the hawkish premier's uninterrupted 12-year tenure or return Israel to a stalemate likely to trigger a fifth general election since 2019.
Netanyahu, who is battling a clutch of corruption charges in an ongoing trial he dismisses as a conspiracy, has pushed Israeli politics firmly to the right over the years.
On Saturday night, around 2,000 protesters rallied outside the 71-year-old's official residence to celebrate what they believe will be his departure from office.
"For us, this is a big night and tomorrow will be even a bigger day. I am almost crying. We fought peacefully for this (Netanyahu's departure) and the day has come," said protester Ofir Robinski.
A fragile eight-party alliance, ranging from the right-wing Jewish nationalist Yamina party to Arab lawmakers, was early this month cobbled together by centrist politician Yair Lapid.
On Friday, all coalition agreements had been signed and submitted to the Knesset secretariat, Yamina announced, a moment party leader Naftali Bennett said brought "to an end two and a half years of political crisis".
But the ever-combative Netanyahu has tried to peel off defectors that would deprive the nascent coalition of its wafer thin legislative majority.
'Peaceful transition'
If the new government is confirmed, Bennett, a former defence minister, would serve as premier for two years.
Coalition architect Lapid, who heads the Yesh Atid party and is a former television presenter, would then take the helm.
The anti-Netanyahu bloc spans the political spectrum, including three right-wing, two centrist and two left-wing parties, along with an Arab Islamic conservative party.
The improbable alliance emerged two weeks after an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist group that rules the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and following inter-communal violence in Israeli cities with significant Arab populations.
"We will work together, out of partnership and national responsibility -- and I believe we will succeed," Bennett said Friday.
Sunday's crucial Knesset session is due to open at 4:00 pm local time (1300 GMT), with Bennett, Lapid and Netanyahu all set to speak before the vote.
Netanyahu has heaped pressure on his former right-wing allies to defect from the fledgling coalition while attacking the legitimacy of the Bennett-Lapid partnership.
He has accused Bennett of "fraud" for siding with rivals, and angry rallies by the premier's Likud party supporters have resulted in security being bolstered for some lawmakers.
Netanyahu's bombastic remarks as he sees his grip on power slip have drawn parallels at home and abroad to former US president Donald Trump, who described his election loss last year as the result of a rigged vote.
The prime minister has called the prospective coalition "the greatest election fraud in the history" of Israel.
His Likud party said the accusations refer to Bennett entering a coalition that "doesn't reflect the will of the voters"
'Scorched earth'
Sunday's vote arrives hot on the heels of police crackdowns on Palestinian protests over the threatened eviction of families from homes in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem to make way for Jewish settlers, a month after similar clashes fuelled the latest war between Israel and Hamas.
It also comes amid right-wing anger over the postponement of a controversial Jewish nationalist march.
Netanyahu favoured finding a way to allow the so-called "March of the Flags", originally scheduled to take place last Thursday, to proceed as planned.
He took that position despite the original route envisaging the march unfolding close to flashpoint areas including the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, where clashes last month triggered the Gaza conflict.
The premier's insistence saw his opponents accuse him and his allies of stoking tensions to cling onto power via a "scorched-earth" campaign.
If Netanyahu loses the premiership, he will not be able to push through changes to basic laws that could give him immunity in regard to his corruption trial.
The controversial flag march is now slated for Tuesday and ongoing tensions surrounding it could represent a key initial test for any approved coalition.
New Israeli coalition government poised to end Netanyahu's reign
Israeli lawmakers are to vote Sunday on a "change" coalition government of bitter ideological rivals united by their determination to banish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power.
www.france24.com
Melodi
Disaster Cat
I can't tell if this is Bibi trying one last throw of the dice or something really is going on behind the scenes - I mean I gather the talks with Iran have stalled already (and there are hints there will be no agreement) so I'm not sure exactly what this is about.
Does Bibi want the US to nuke Iran or something?...
bloodztone
Contributing Member
I think what he is saying is what he quoted a while back when Israel's back is up against the wall Israel only has itself to defend it's borders. Our current government is hostile to Israel and through Bible prophecy it makes sense when it says all nations will come against Israel at the end. We have to be taken out of the way for the rest of the world to attack the apple of God's eye.
Knesset vote just in.
They voted for the new government.
Vote was 60 to 59
Naftalie Bennett is new prime minister.
They voted for the new government.
Vote was 60 to 59
Naftalie Bennett is new prime minister.
Last edited:
No Israel never asks another country to fight for it.
What Bibi and the new prime minister N Bennett want is for the US not to try and tie Israel's hands behind their back and prevent them from taking any action against Iran.
Which Biden and his people will almost certainly do as soon as they sign a "deal" with Iran.
Biden would do everything in his power to prevent Israel from taking out Iranian nukes or preventing their final assembly.
Biden and his government would only condemn Iran after they launch the first nuke on Israel.
Israel is kinda like Ireland. Both countries are small and neither could absorb a nuke strike first before taking action against an enemy who publicly says they want them dead and will soon acquire the means to carry out that threat.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
See new Tweets
Conversation
Doge
@IntelDoge
Naftali Bennett sworn in as Prime Minister of Israel. The era of Netanyahu has come to an end.
Conversation
Doge
@IntelDoge
Naftali Bennett sworn in as Prime Minister of Israel. The era of Netanyahu has come to an end.
jward
passin' thru
Anshel Pfeffer אנשיל פפר
@AnshelPfeffer
5h
Netanyahu speaking the last time as prime minister. “I stand here in the name of millions of citizens who chose a path of raising their head, not lowering it. For them I plan to continue the big mission of my life, to ensure the existence, security and prosperity of Israel”
Netanyahu now on the “Abraham accords”: “We changed the dangerous idea of ‘peace for land’ to ‘peace for peace’”
Netanyahu: speaking of “my friend of 40 years Joe Biden” says that “the new US Administration asked me to keep our disagreements on the nuclear agreement private but I can’t do that. You know why? Because in the Holocaust, FDR refused to bomb Auschwitz. We were on our own”
Netanyahu: “The new government needs to carry out significant operations in Iran to block the continued armament. But they can’t. At the most they will say some weak things here. Iran knows this. They’re rejoicing today. They understand that from now Israel has a weak government”
Netanyahu: “I have a message for those rejoicing in Iran. The opposition in Israel has a load and strong voice. And I have another message for them: We’ll Be Back! (says this in English).”
So far the vote is going as expected, with the exception of Ra’am’s Said al-Haroumi being absent. He’s probably waiting for the second round of the roll-call. Probably
At the end of first roll-call, 53 voted against the new government. Now Al-Haroumi abstains in the second roll-call. So the new government will have only 60 votes. And the Joint List are voting against. Looks like 60-59 for the new government. Passed. No full majority. Bad look.
And in an anticlimactic and far from festive vote, the Netanyahu era ends.
And that’s it, Naftali Bennett is swearing loyalty as the 13th prime minister of Israel. Get used to saying “former prime minister Netanyahu”
Nitzan Horowitz and Tamar Zandberg just sworn in as new ministers. Meretz is back in government after an absence of 20 years.
@AnshelPfeffer
5h
Netanyahu speaking the last time as prime minister. “I stand here in the name of millions of citizens who chose a path of raising their head, not lowering it. For them I plan to continue the big mission of my life, to ensure the existence, security and prosperity of Israel”
Netanyahu now on the “Abraham accords”: “We changed the dangerous idea of ‘peace for land’ to ‘peace for peace’”
Netanyahu: speaking of “my friend of 40 years Joe Biden” says that “the new US Administration asked me to keep our disagreements on the nuclear agreement private but I can’t do that. You know why? Because in the Holocaust, FDR refused to bomb Auschwitz. We were on our own”
Netanyahu: “The new government needs to carry out significant operations in Iran to block the continued armament. But they can’t. At the most they will say some weak things here. Iran knows this. They’re rejoicing today. They understand that from now Israel has a weak government”
Netanyahu: “I have a message for those rejoicing in Iran. The opposition in Israel has a load and strong voice. And I have another message for them: We’ll Be Back! (says this in English).”
So far the vote is going as expected, with the exception of Ra’am’s Said al-Haroumi being absent. He’s probably waiting for the second round of the roll-call. Probably
At the end of first roll-call, 53 voted against the new government. Now Al-Haroumi abstains in the second roll-call. So the new government will have only 60 votes. And the Joint List are voting against. Looks like 60-59 for the new government. Passed. No full majority. Bad look.
And in an anticlimactic and far from festive vote, the Netanyahu era ends.
And that’s it, Naftali Bennett is swearing loyalty as the 13th prime minister of Israel. Get used to saying “former prime minister Netanyahu”
Nitzan Horowitz and Tamar Zandberg just sworn in as new ministers. Meretz is back in government after an absence of 20 years.
jward
passin' thru
Anshel Pfeffer אנשיל פפר
@AnshelPfeffer
1h
I still think Netanyahu is leaving tonight a winner
Netanyahu lost power today, but he's leaving as a winner
Anshel Pfeffer
3 minutes
Home | Israel News
Analysis |
For almost 40 years as a diplomat and politician, Benjamin Netanyahu’s ideology triumphed over the Palestinians, the Israeli left and the very concept of what makes a successful prime minister
Jun. 13, 2021 11:06 AM
Jun. 13, 2021 11:06 AM
The British politician Enoch Powell wrote that “all political lives, unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure.” By this standard, it’s hard to describe the way Benjamin Netanyahu’s term in Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office is about to end as a defeat. He is incapable of leaving the stage voluntarily, and he is no different in this than the country’s previous 11 premiers. None of them chose the circumstances in which they left office. That’s the nature of the job. It doesn’t end well.
It is not that Netanyahu gave nothing to the Palestinians that makes him a "winner". It is what he gave to Israel, an apartheid state that makes everyone a loser.
3
Unfortunately, for the people living under their administration, Palestinian leaders do not aspire to build a country in which the people can become productive citizens. The leaders are far more interested in trying to destroy the nation-state of the Jews than in creating the first-ever-to-exist Arab State of Palestine.
2
He succeeded in delaying the future. That's an accomplishment, though not progress.
1
Lord Melvyn Douglas Herbert McManus
13:47
No mention of PM Netanyahu`s achievement of returning our soldier Gilad Shalit back home in October 2011 after his 64 months captivity in-the-hands of Hamas.
Reply to comment
Citizen R
19:36
Lord Melvyn Douglas Herbert McManus
@Lord Melvin: That is because we remember how Bibi embraced Gilad before his parents. The word self-aggrandizement and not service seems appropriate.
The rest behind a pay wall, but the authors' breakdown of the events and some analysis is well chronicled on his twitter accnt. for those who may be interested in a well informed account/accounter.
@AnshelPfeffer
1h
I still think Netanyahu is leaving tonight a winner
Netanyahu lost power today, but he's leaving as a winner
Anshel Pfeffer
3 minutes
Home | Israel News
Analysis |
For almost 40 years as a diplomat and politician, Benjamin Netanyahu’s ideology triumphed over the Palestinians, the Israeli left and the very concept of what makes a successful prime minister
Jun. 13, 2021 11:06 AM
Jun. 13, 2021 11:06 AM
The British politician Enoch Powell wrote that “all political lives, unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure.” By this standard, it’s hard to describe the way Benjamin Netanyahu’s term in Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office is about to end as a defeat. He is incapable of leaving the stage voluntarily, and he is no different in this than the country’s previous 11 premiers. None of them chose the circumstances in which they left office. That’s the nature of the job. It doesn’t end well.
It is not that Netanyahu gave nothing to the Palestinians that makes him a "winner". It is what he gave to Israel, an apartheid state that makes everyone a loser.
3
Unfortunately, for the people living under their administration, Palestinian leaders do not aspire to build a country in which the people can become productive citizens. The leaders are far more interested in trying to destroy the nation-state of the Jews than in creating the first-ever-to-exist Arab State of Palestine.
2
He succeeded in delaying the future. That's an accomplishment, though not progress.
1
Lord Melvyn Douglas Herbert McManus
13:47
No mention of PM Netanyahu`s achievement of returning our soldier Gilad Shalit back home in October 2011 after his 64 months captivity in-the-hands of Hamas.
Reply to comment
Citizen R
19:36
Lord Melvyn Douglas Herbert McManus
@Lord Melvin: That is because we remember how Bibi embraced Gilad before his parents. The word self-aggrandizement and not service seems appropriate.
The rest behind a pay wall, but the authors' breakdown of the events and some analysis is well chronicled on his twitter accnt. for those who may be interested in a well informed account/accounter.
danielboon
TB Fanatic
So this is the 12th prime minister hmmm
danielboon
TB Fanatic
EndGameWW3
@EndGameWW3
·
7m
Update: Israeli Channel 12: Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz approved a new bank of targets which ‘Israel’ would attack in any future aggression on the Gaza Strip.
@EndGameWW3
·
7m
Update: Israeli Channel 12: Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz approved a new bank of targets which ‘Israel’ would attack in any future aggression on the Gaza Strip.