Month: January 2006

Weekly Commentary: Post Sharon Era Elections – Program Over Personality

Full Text:

“Make no mistake about it: the overwhelming majority of Israelis oppose unilateral withdrawals (less than twenty percent supported more ‘unilateral disengagements’ in a poll conducted last month by Mina Tzemah for the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs’s Defensible Borders Project).”

“But in a personality rather than policy-driven decision, many of the very same people who tell pollsters that they oppose the post-election retreats Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has in mind also say they would vote for a Sharon-led Kadima Party.” read more

Air Force Targeted Kassam Approach Roads

Soldiers Attacked With Rocks in Jenin

The following comments and analyses appeared on several news sites in wake of Arik Sharon’s massive stroke;

Comment: What now?

Excerpts;

“The question is whether Kadima has a future without Sharon. A significant number of politicians and public figures have joined the party, following Sharon. With him gone, internecine squabbling over the leadership could well break out. The prime minister’s responsibilities have been handed over to Finance Minister Ehud Olmert according to law, but few Kadima members will want one of the most unpopular politicians in the country to lead them into the elections.” read more

Barak of IRIS has compiled most comprehensive reporting and expert commentary in blogosphere on Sharon’s condition and the circumstances surrounding it. View these reports here and here.

Also, the Mere Rhetoric blog presents real-time updates regarding Sharon’s stroke, the circumstances behind it as well as political prognostications on the morning after.

Current Updates;

Second Operation Completed: Sharon Moved to Intensive Care; Vital Signs Stable

Excerpts;

“Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was transferred to neurological intensive care following a second operation that succeeded in halting cerebral bleeding on Thursday morning.” read more

Massive Stone-Throwing Attacks on Highway 443

The Prime Minister of Israel was tonight rushed to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital tonight, for the second time in less than 3 weeks, reportedly “feeling unwell”and “complaining of pain.”

Below is a list of headlines regarding the PM’s hospitalization tonight, on the eve of his scheduled heart catheterization procedure on Thursday morning. This blog will include analyses [as was done for the first event] of the reports surrounding this event, with an eye toward conflicting or contradictory reports, possible cover-ups, etc. as more information becomes available. MB read more

Text of PM Sharon’s Remarks Indicating More Retreats Planned After Election

Excerpts;

“I think that the steps we have undertaken, including the Disengagement Plan, which was very difficult, have improved Israel’s economic situation and international standing.”

“I intend to continue on this path in accordance with the diplomatic plan that I have implemented. Also in the new government that I will set up, I intend to continue on the same path…”

Gush Katif Families Charge Gov’t with ’Election Propaganda’

Excerpt;

“At least half of the families have not received initial installments and full compensation has been paid only to 10 percent of the families, the committee said. It called on the office of the Prime Minister ‘to publish exact figures and not sell stories’ which have no basis. Many of the families still are in hotel rooms or student dormitories, unemployment is rampant and the government is charging people $450 a month for 60 square meter sheetrock houses which have been built in the Nitzan area, north of Ashkelon.” read more

Gaza Militants Fire 8 Qassams at Sderot; No Injuries or Damage

Kassam Rocket Attack on Sderot, None Injured

Kassams Fired at Sderot and Ashkelon, Just Miss Gas Station

Qassams ‘Miss’ Gas Station Again

Israel Allows Weapons for PA Police in Area ‘A’

Netanyahu: “Pre-Disengagement Warnings are Coming True”

As that old Paul Simon song goes; “There must be 50 ways to deal with Kassams…” MB

Excerpts;

“News of one of the rocket attacks reached the Mayor of Sderot, Eli Moyal, as he was listening to Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu tell an audience of party activists how to fight Kassams. Speaking at a gathering of Likud activists in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said, ‘There are a thousand ways to deal with Kassam rockets.’” read more

Teflon Test

A Must-Read in context of the reports and revelations posted here.

Excerpts;

“Teflon’s not just for cooking fat free. Ever since left-wing America, clueless to Ronnie Reagan’s scratch-proof popularity, dubbed him “the Teflon President,” the term has been used by many to describe people who manage to emerge unscathed from suspicion and scandals. Even I used it to describe the Teflon Terrorism, whom otherwise ‘peace-loving’ people adore.”

“Israeli politicians, especially those who have fled veteran parties and joined Kadima are in special need for strong Teflon coats. It seems that considering their varied political backgrounds, the one thing they have in common is corruption charges, not very attractive to some Israelis, but according to the polls, they’re doing very well.” read more