Israel's defence minister quits over rift with Binyamin Netanyahu

[villager]

Source: Guardian

Israel’s defence minister has announced his resignation, citing poor faith in the prime minister after Binyamin Netanyahu proposed replacing him as part of a move to expand the coalition government.

Moshe Yaalon said on Twitter: “I informed the PM that after his conduct and recent developments, and given the lack of faith in him, I am resigning from the government and parliament and taking a break from political life.”

Earlier this week it emerged that one of Israel’s most outspokenly hawkish and divisive political figures, the ultranationalist politician Avigdor Lieberman, had been offered the post.

Netanyahu is attempting to enlarge his precarious coalition, which has a majority of one.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/20/israel-defence-minister-moshe-yaalon-quits-rift-binyamin-netanyahu

[Feeling the Bern]

1. Resigning in protest always struck me as cutting off your nose to spite your face

You can do more inside than outside and if you are outspoken and get fired, it makes the shithead like Bibi look like the clown he is.

[villager]

2. I just hope this somehow presages a larger crisis, and that his coalition falls apart...

...thus requiring new elections...

[Israeli]

4. I wouldnt bet on it villager.....nt.

[Israeli]

3. He is not a clown

......he is a manipulative genius Feeling the Bern.

This week he destroyed the opposition and Herzog , slapped the IDF top brass in the face and strengthened his coalition .

You think things cant get any worse .....and ' boom ' they do ...overnight .

[villager]

5. I wonder what the break will be for Israel, with their Bibi hypnosis? Another full-out war?

[Ford_Prefect]

6. Given the degree of control over public perception he exercises I'd say worse than a war.

He seems to be leading towards having one as a style feature, along the lines of the North Korean model, or possibly the TRump version . Open warfare with Iran seems his goal but practically it makes no sense. He's more like a school yard bully using the forces surrounding him against each other.

On some days he reminds me of Joe McCarthy seeing threats in every direction with no more proof than the power of suggestion.

I suspect the primary threat to his power is some kind of financial or political scandal, an economic disaster or the loss of a major patron such as the US President and/or Congress. Conversely a President who endorses Bibi's hawkish side could make things worse yet by encouraging his nationalistic dreams.

[6chars]

7. Yes, Netanyahu moving toward the North Korean model.

Based on your deep understanding, do you have any other predictions?

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

[Ford_Prefect]

8. How would you characterize his apparent march towards war?

Do you see the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as a sign of restraint and diplomacy?

[6chars]

9. you don't seem to know what war looks like

or North Korea. Or Israel.

[Ford_Prefect]

10. Do you see the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as a sign of restraint and diplomacy?

Yisrael Beiteinu’s leader has for many years represented a racist position that views Israel’s Arab citizens as a nuisance and their Knesset representatives as traitors. He calls for an aggressive defense policy, the reoccupation of the Gaza Strip and the overthrow of the territory’s Hamas government and the economically destruction of the Palestinian Authority, which in his opinion encourages, incites toward and is responsible for attacks on Israelis.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1134128874

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/1.720365

His call for the declaration of a state of emergency in Israel, “like in France after the attack in Paris” is especially worrisome: Lieberman would like to suspend freedom of expression in favor of freedom to shoot.

[6chars]

11. North Korea? Clueless.

Hamas' rule - Liberman's opposition to whom seems to be of great concern to you - is basically like North Korea.

[Ford_Prefect]

16. Korea's elite maintain their control by asserting that they will be swamped by enemies

while acting in bellicose belligerence towards their neighbors. Bibi asserts that a moment's weakness will lead to the end of Israel. He persecutes anyone who disagrees either directly or through his proxies. Where a wise man would use discretion he blusters to the extent of insulting the US President in his own house.

This is not a prudent leader. Rather he is like a despot clinging to power through ruthless oppression of his political opposition and racist fear mongering.

Israel occupies a difficult position. My point is that Bibi is making it worse through his narrow minded approach and his overbearing control. The endless expansion of the settlements and the persecution of Palestinians within the West Bank and Gaza embodied in Liberman will make a difficult situation much worse and further isolate Israel from her allies in Europe and the US. Which is to say nothing about how Israel's neighbors will react.

It is not an approach to a long future but rather one which seems to assume Armageddon. Genocide applied apartheid fashion did not maintain South Africa nor is it likely to do so in Israel. However the answers come that maintain a future for Israel this is not the path to take. Eventually even the walls cannot be built any higher.

[6chars]

17. Ruthless oppression of political opposition - NKorea vs. Israel

I invite you to do some research on this analogy.

If you really wish to stand by it, your other thoughts on the situation do not merit consideration.

[Ford_Prefect]

20. While Israel is a democracy at least in name N.Korea is not. Bibi uses the same excuses

and presumes the same defensive posture. He attacks his opposition relentlessly, accusing them of being less than patriotic and overly sympathetic to Israel's enemies. That has been my point.

The excesses and inhumane abuses of Apartheid were never justified. They remain so regardless of who is now applying them. I am not advocating the end of Israel nor that it should not defend itself. I am saying Bibi is going to dangerous and uncalled for extremes which he justifies in actions and language that strongly resemble those of the North Korean dictator. He has not yet turned Israel into a religious-military dictatorship. He does appear to act as though it is at times, and has friends who would certainly be glad of that enhanced authority.

[6chars]

22. Kimchi is spicy, felafel hotsauce is too

So Israel and most countries with 35 degrees of the equator are like N Korea.

Over the top analogies do not help make your points or whatever argument you may have in mind.

When people talk about the difference between legitimate criticism of Israel and double standard when it comes to Israel for whatever reason, this is a good example. You could just work on articulating your point of view without double standards and wacky connections. That might require better understanding of context.

[leftynyc]

28. I was going to jump

in and also mock the ridiculous comparison of Israel to NK but you handled that beautifully. One day people will realize hyperbolic comparison like that one just make it easier to ignore all the rest of their argument.

[villager]

29. That didn't actually answer the question about the appointment. nt

[6chars]

30. illegitimate criticism does not merit a serious response

poster said something insane, i called them on it, they double down on the insanity but then ask a different question to change the topic.

no point in responding substantively to insane people. best to guide them toward professional help.

[villager]

31. actually, that question was the critical one in the thread.

Surely you have a view on it?

[6chars]

32. have to get to sanity first

if someone responds to a job listing by saying "Greetings Spiggly Frogen, I am a Tweblomar from the planet Zibopodkar. How do I apply for the job of account manager?" the critical question would shift from job application to the person's connection to reality.

A person who thinks Israel is like North Korea is too overwhelmed by some sentiment to engage in discussion about critical questions in the real world. I hope that by guiding the poster to possibly understand the great difference between Israel and North Korea, I may do a greater service.

[villager]

33. So I, who have said nothing about North Korea, will ask you directly:

What do you think about Lieberman's appointment?

[6chars]

34. don't like it.

[villager]

35. Well, that's a start, I guess. nt

[Israeli]

12. A full out war ?

With whom villager ?

With Lieberman as Defense Minister and the IDF top brass pissed off at Bibi ??....I would say that is the last thing anyone wants right now ........or could handle right now .

You do realize that Lieberman is now in charge of the control of over four million Palestinians.

He is a fascist and a racist and a bully and a Kahanist .......and he is now in charge of the occupation.

[karynnj]

23. All true, but how will this move to right work with the French call for a peace process?

He obviously is hoping that in that the US will again stand alone protecting Israel from the entire international community. Unfortunately for the world including Israel, I suspect US politics will make that a given - now and in the lame duck session -- and then I doubt either Trump or Clinton will stand up to Netanyahu.

However, if Netanyahu continues with settlements, he might possibly be the person most responsible for Israel and the territories becoming one state -- and it seems that will not be the one state solution with democracy and equal rights for all. However, anything I know is from the media. What, as an Israeli, do you see as likely to happen going forward. Do you think there are enough people like you to stop things from getting worse?

PS I like your signature.

[Israeli]

26. Answer to ....

However, if Netanyahu continues with settlements, he might possibly be the person most responsible for Israel and the territories becoming one state -- and it seems that will not be the one state solution with democracy and equal rights for all. However, anything I know is from the media. What, as an Israeli, do you see as likely to happen going forward. Do you think there are enough people like you to stop things from getting worse?

PS I like your signature.

Bibi wants to keep the status quo with the settlements , he is being pushed by the religious right wing to annex .
He needs them to keep him in power .

Going forward ? .......who the hell knows ?

" Do you think there are enough people like you to stop things from getting worse?

No.

PS I like your signature.

Thank you .

[karynnj]

27. Thanks, even though it is very depressing nt

[Nitram]

40. No, Feel, military officers are not allowed to exert political pressure from within.

The only honorable thing they can do is resign.

[leftynyc]

13. Good - I'm glad he quit

bibi is an asshole and so is lieberman. Yaalon was too good to be part of that coalition which is nest of vipers and religious freaks.

[Israeli]

14. Quoting Ford_Prefect.....

Conversely a President who endorses Bibi's hawkish side could make things worse yet by encouraging his nationalistic dreams.

Has Hilary commented on any of this yet leftynyc ?

Inquiring minds would love to know .

[leftynyc]

15. You can forget either candidate

getting involved in internal Israeli politics. Wont happen.

[Ford_Prefect]

18. Apparently she has already made clear her blessings on Bibi.

[Israeli]

19. Whatever it takes to get there ;).....

Once she is there tho ????.......could be The Clash of the Titans .

[Israeli]

21. I will take your word for it leftynyc.....

.....for what its worth.........(with me your words aint worth much )

[leftynyc]

24. How charming

Have a wonderful weekend.

[Israeli]

25. You too ...

....Shabbat shalom .

[hatrack]

36. Would that we could say the same re. Netanyahu and our internal politics . . .

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-politics/11447819/Benjamin-Netanyahu-attacks-Barack-Obamas-Iran-nuclear-deal-in-front-of-Congress.html

[leftynyc]

37. I blasted bibi plenty

when he came here to speak to congress and that doesn't change what I said at all. Go call someone a hypocrite who gives a crap.

[hatrack]

41. Well, bless your heart.

.

[lark]

38. Guess Moshe Yaalon didn't kill enough Palestinians

and so he has to go. Like Israel has been soft in the last few years - NOT! Little Murderer just wants personal power and more Arab deaths, what's wrong with that?

[Nitram]

39. Netanyahu is a right-wing political hack.

The future of Israel comes second in his mind to his own political power.