Netanyahu or Livni | It's Time to Stand Up, Be Counted

Israel’s ambassador to Washington was quoted today as saying that the US and Israel are in a ‘crisis of historic proportions’, a 35-year low. The remarks seem to reference US pressure in 1975 for an Israeli redeployment in the Egyptian Sinai, occupied by Israel and the site of renewed fighting in 1973.

Netanyahu’s coalition government relies on the settlers for its existence. Without the settlers, Livni would be Israel’s prime minister and we would be moving forward in the peace talks.

“I think that Netanyahu is at a moment of truth,” says Gideon Doron, a political science professor at Tel Aviv University. “He has to choose whether or not he wants to ignite the forces for peace, or whether he’ll go against the US and play for time. He can’t do that. It’s suicide.” via Christian Science Monitor

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni of the Kadima party, says that Netanyahu ‘is leading us to a diplomatic collapse.’

Most people believed that Livni would become Israel’s next Prime Minister in Fall 2009 elections, but she fell short of forming her government, after winning the most popular votes.

Livni is a pragmist but she doesn’t sleep with an opposition that will overpower her.

If she had an army of Israeli women at her side, perhaps things would be different. Given the fact the Israeli women can’t even pray at the Western wall, they can’t be expected to become liberated Scandinavian Viking goddesses overnight.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu — much like the Democrats now opposed to women’s rights — had no problem with the Jewish settlers because he supports their position. And they are committed to keeping him in power and no peace in the region.

Even the Wall Street Journal doesn’t disagree that Livni is a person of great principles. She has refused Netanyahu’s requests that she join his government because she will not compromise her commitment to a two-state solution. The Israeli settlers are committed to Israel and only Israel, no independent Palestine.

Suddenly, Livni’s comments are pregnant with possibility. Livni was quoted in the LA Times on San. 25, 2010 as saying ‘reports of her political demise are premature.’

We agree. Totally motivated by Tzipi Livni now, as we were last year. We’re also coming off a stupdendous, motivating weekend at ‘Women in the World’

For reasons that we don’t understand, Israel’s own polls indicate that they are in no rush for peace. Israelis are ‘content’ to live in this state where their big brother America must go to war around the world on their behalf.

Reuters quotes New America Foundation’s pollster Jim Gerstein on Dec. 10, 2010:

“Israelis believe peace is necessary, but they currently do not feel a sense of urgency to reach a final status agreement with the Palestinians,” Gerstein said in his report, adding that Obama had a chance now to persuade Israelis it was time to reach an agreement.

Protecting Israel is both a strategic and moral goal, when the principles are clear. But when the Israelis prefer to live in a world engulfed in war and suffering, and are dominated by settlers who will never make peace, then the global we are at a watershed moment in US-Israeli relations.

Anne of Carversville supports a two-state solution in this region, and we only support leaders who will deliver that outcome.  We’re opposed to a theocracy dominating the Middle East or America. In addition to being irrational and totally unscientific in its decisions, theocracy’s dominate women everywhere in the world.

We object to Fundamentalism and Theocracy among Jews, Muslims and Christians — and any variation of this religious theme.

I will not work to institute a theocracy in Israel or America. Period.

Tzipi Livni has remained true to her beliefs and principles as has Benjamin Netanyahu. They envision a very different Israel. It is time for the world to pick a side. Of course we must seek diplomatic decisions, but it’s time for women, in particular, to get off our gorgeous derrieres and give peace a chance.  Anne

More reading: U.S. row shows Jerusalem is cornerstone of peace Haaretz

Tzipi Livni Explains Her Vision of Israel

Madonna in Israel Will Meet with Netanyahu & Dines with Tzipi Livni