Coalition Machinations Continue: ‘Convergence’ Watered Down or Disappearing? Once Snookered, Be on Guard!

Olmert and Peretz to Hold Press Conference at 2 P.M.

Excerpts;

“It is very important for the country that there be the widest coalition possible, with representation from as many different sectors in the nation as possible, provided that there be wide agreement on the government’s policies of advancing the peace process and running a stable economy with socioeconomic sensitivity,” Olmert said in a meeting with National Union-National Religious Party MKs.

In an effort to form that coalition, Olmert’s convergence plan will apparently not be mentioned in the coalition guidelines. Instead, the guidelines will follow the outline of Olmert’s victory speech last Tuesday in which he reached out to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas but left open the possibility of Israel acting on its own if the PA is not willing to make necessary sacrifices. read more

Israel in Dire Need of Regulations Restricting Monopolies, Cartels and Big Business, Top Wealthy Families’ Influence on Political, Diplomatic

Forbes Reinforces Claim That Kadima is Tool of Oligarchs

Barak of IRIS lays out the reality of the Kadima Party here and here.

Excerpts;

Forbes Israel reported Sunday that twelve business groups control Israel’s economy – making it among the most concentrated on the globe. The report echoes warnings by journalist Ari Shavit.

According to the report, the business groups are controlled by the following families: Sami Ofer, Nochi Dankner, Shari Arison, the Cerberus-Gabriel consortium, Charles Bronfman, Yitzchak Tshuva, the Saban group, Lev Leviev, Matthew Bronfman, Tzadik Bino, the Borovich family, and Eliezer Fishman. The 12 families own 60 percent of the aggregate market value of all Israeli public companies (excluding the even larger Teva Pharmaceutical Industries), Forbes reported. read more

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Beneath the Kadima Mindset; Rabin in Reverse: If They’re Not Good Boys, We’ll Just Give Them More …

Column One: ‘Let’s Ignore Hamas’, by Caroline Glick

Excerpts;

HAMAS’S RISE to power renders it all but impossible to deny the connection between the insurgency in Iraq and the global jihad in general and the Palestinian war with Israel. Indeed, in his first statement as foreign minister, Mahmoud Zahar attacked the US claiming, “America is committing big crimes against the Arab and Islamic countries.”

Yet as Hamas prepares for war on all levels, Israel is about to form a government led either by Kadima or Labor whose politicians insist on pretending that there is no problem here. Kadima’s plan to remove Israeli communities and IDF forces from Judea and Samaria is based on an abject refusal to admit that the areas abandoned will be taken over by Hamas. Furthermore, as Olmert has repeatedly stated, Kadima refuses to acknowledge that Hamas is even a threat to Israel. read more

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Overnight War News …

Rocket From Gaza Landed Near “Sensitive Security Structure”

Five Kassam Rockets Fired Toward Ashkelon Power Station

Full Text;

Five Kassam rockets were fired from Gaza towards Jewish towns in the western Negev and the Ashkelon power station Sunday at noon.

The rockets landed south of the power station and in Zikim and Carmiya.

It is not yet clear if injuries or damage were inflicted.

The IDF spokesman’s office said that in response the IDF was shelling rocket launching sites in northern Gaza. read more

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The Coalition Machinations Go On …

Kadima Officials Planning to Begin Assembling New Gov’t Next Week

Labor Members Slam Peretz for Courting Right

Rabbi Elyashiv Instructs MKs to Recommend Olmert

Activists Call on Public to Pressure Shas and UTJ Not to Choose Olmert

Shas and United Torah Judaism to Form Bloc

Commentary;

Don’t the Chareidim catch on that they’re being burned yet again? Or is it that after Gush Katif, they still care about NOTHING but the money?? For context, click here and here. MB

Rafi Eitan Shows His True Colors: As Pollard Languishes in US Prison … read more

Interesting Development in E. Jeruslem: Will E. Jerusalem Neighborhoods Withstand Attempts to Demolish?

Settler Group Takes Over two Compounds in E. Jerusalem

Excerpts;

Last Wednesday, the day after Election Day, the Elad organization took control of two large, populated and sensitive compounds in two East Jerusalem neighborhoods, Silwan and A-Tur (on the Mount of Olives).

Elad members intend to put between 15 and 20 families there.

“Our goal is to hold on to outposts in East Jerusalem and create an irreversible situation in the sacred basin around the Old City,” said Adi Mintz, a member of Elad’s management board. read more

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The Cruelty of the Olmert Regime of Israel: Their Word and Signed Agreements Useless as Refuse …

Attorney General Invalidates Agreement with Hevron Residents

For context; click here.

As one person emailed in; “Anyone left out there who could still be surprised?”

Full Text;

Attorney General Menachem (Meni) Mazuz has invalidataed the agreement reached between the IDF and Jewish residents living in the vicinity of Hevron’s wholesale market. Under that agreement, Jewish residents agreed to temporarily leave their homes until receiving formal government approval to return. read more