Despite diplomatic stalemate, Livni clings to her seat

[Israeli]

Summary

Despite being a strong public advocate for peace, Tzipi Livni remains a member of an Israeli government hostile to the diplomatic process with the Palestinians

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/10/hatenua-tzipi-livni-amir-peretz-amram-mizna-coalition.html#ixzz3FMmylkOG

Livni and Peretz have spoken mighty highly of their historical role of advocating for the diplomatic process in the Netanyahu-Naftali Bennett government. They would remain ever vigilant, they said, and lead Netanyahu along the right path. After eighteen months of this partnership, however, they look more like collaborators working with one of the worst governments Israel has ever had in terms of relations with the United States and the diplomatic process with the Palestinians.

“From an ethical and moral perspective, I don’t think we can continue sitting in this government,” Mitzna told Al-Monitor. “I feel very uncomfortable being part of a coalition where under its leadership [settlers] take over houses in Silwan. It is no secret that I told Tzipi Livni long ago, in no uncertain terms, that she should leave the government. This is a failed government with no vision and no goals. The only reason it is able to survive is because there is no alternative to it. I think that even if we don’t bring down this government, we should challenge its very foundations and show real values. This is a bad government, which is marching us forward to a very grim future, to disaster.”

Livni failed to mention a word about the collapse of the diplomatic process for which she is responsible within the government. She also didn't mention the various plans to build in settlements across the Green Line that have had a damaging effect on Israel’s relationship with the Obama administration. It looks, instead, like Livni has made a strategic decision to cling to her seat no matter what. Otherwise, it is hard to explain why she continues sitting in a right-wing government with extremist elements and headed by someone who has no intention of holding binding negotiations with the Palestinians, an issue so central to her platform.

Former Labor Party minister Ophir Pines-Paz recently offered an apt description of how weak the political center-left really is. In a penetrating Facebook post, he wondered about the self-imposed silence from these parties after the settlers' purchase of houses in Silwan. He concluded, “There was once a peace camp in Israel, but it no longer exists.”

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/10/hatenua-tzipi-livni-amir-peretz-amram-mizna-coalition.html#ixzz3FMpFwHxz

I dedicate this post to you oberliner.

[oberliner]

1. Very interesting piece

I appreciate the dedication. Tough times for the left and even the center in Israel these days. Reminds me of the early 2000s here in this country when every branch of our government was controlled by Republicans. Hopefully the pendulum will swing back in the other direction there as it did, to some extent, here.