US: Disappointed by lack of an apology from Ya'alon

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4501830,00.html

WASHINGTON - The US is "disappointed with the lack of an apology from Defense Minister Ya'alon" for critical comments that have caused a furor in recent days, a US State Department spokeswoman said Friday.

On Wednesday a US official told Israeli media that Ya'alon was "determined to undermine US-Israel relations," after the defense minister called the US "weak" on Iran, and questioned its commitment to Israel's security.

In response, Ya'alon made a "clarification" of his comments during a phone call with his American counterpart Chuck Hagel, saying "My remarks had no defiance or criticism or intention to hurt the United States or its relations with Israel. The strategic relationship between the two countries is of utmost importance, as are the personal relations and common interests."
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"I think we clearly expressed our displeasure by his offensive comments and an apology would be a natural next step," State Department Spokeswomen Jen Psaki said Friday, adding that the US "still has concerns" about Ya'alon's "pattern" of behavior.

[Timez Squarez]

1. Fuck Yaalon.

Fuck the right wing version of the party.

It's time to kick the Likudniks out and put in the Labor folks back in, for the next 25 years.

And all religious right can just shut up and deal. They wanted peace, they'll get peace if they stop whining about EVERYTHING.

[Scootaloo]

2. Is labor actually better, though?

I mean I suppose in a general sense it is, but as pertains to the conflict at hand, does it even make a difference? it seems that most Israeli parties treat the enshrinement of continued expansion into Palestinian territory much as both major US parties enshrine needless Pentagon expenditures.

Israeli, if you're out there, got some insider insight? 'cause Israel's party politics makes my brain go bork.

[Israeli]

3. Obviously ....

I would prefer Buji to Bibi as PM Scootaloo although I would never again vote for Avoda .
Ehud Barak was the last straw for me and Shelly Yachimovich did not give a damn about the conflict and prefered to ignore it .
Herzog however is neither Barak or Yachimovich .... and he might stand a chance .

I like Merav Michaeli from Avoda ....but she is no Shulamit Aloni .
ref :
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/03/mk-meirav-michaeli-interview-boycott-israel-palestine.html

The biggest problem the Centre/Left has is who to build a coalition with ....Meretz they dont have a problem with .... but ...if they continue to ignore Hadash and the Arab voters ...they will never get enough seats to out seat the Right .....so they need Shas .

ref :
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/03/ultra-orthodox-israel-herzog-netanyahu-elections-labor-party.html

“It is true that most of our public is right-wing,” that same senior figure said, “but it can easily be made to change sides. After all, Shas has already supported the Oslo Accord. Besides, we have already been linked to the left in the past.”

The ultra-Orthodox now wander through the Knesset feeling that they owe the prime minister nothing. With their show of support for Herzog they are signaling that from now on no one can count them automatically in the right-wing bloc. This means that they are open to proposals, and that their alliance with Netanyahu and the Likud over the past few years no longer obligates them.

While ultra-Orthodox support for Herzog is, at this stage, little more than a curiosity — and just before the last elections, the ultra-Orthodox threatened Netanyahu that they would support former Labor chairwoman Knesset member Shelly Yachimovich — the deep-rooted political changes underway among the ultra-Orthodox could certainly lead to an earthquake in Israeli politics while the next elections approach. For the first time in the past two decades.

Have I made your brain bork ?

[King_David]

4. "cause Israel's party politics makes my brain go bork."

Proving Shsktimaans point. . A lot of reading is necessary for one to understand this region and people .

[Israeli]

5. you need a brain for it to go bork King_David....

....

[King_David]

6. Ha ha

[Scootaloo]

7. Me am dumm murkan. Par-luh-minty am hard. Hurrrrr.

[King_David]

8. Is that Hebrew ?

Write it in Hebrew script better.

[Israeli]

10. This is interesting Scootaloo....

WATCH: Could the Knesset's Arab parties unite?The Knesset raised the election threshold earlier this month, which will have an adverse effect on the ability of most Arab parties to win seats in Israel’s parliament. What would happen if, in response, all of the Arab and non-Zionist parties unite and run on a joint list?

http://972mag.com/watch-could-the-knessets-arab-parties-unite/88835/

What if ?

[Scootaloo]

11. It'd be an interesting idea

I do know i'd like to see more of Zoabi; she was impressing the hell out of me back in 2012.

[azurnoir]

12. what would happen? would even if united as one party the non-Zionist/Arab parties still be a

essentially voiceless token presence as it now, or could they really have some sway in Israeli politics?

[Israeli]

13. Its a huge "what if ?" azurnoir....

and who knows ....

..having some sway would depend on next elections results ... if the Centre/Left needs them to form a coalition to defeat the Right or not . If not they will probably continue to ignore them .

Here is more on how complicated the whole issue is :

http://www.timesofisrael.com/for-sole-jewish-arab-party-new-law-may-be-a-death-blow/

[LeftishBrit]

9. +1