Navigation Menu: Hashmonean | Key Players | About | Contact | Recent Archives |
The magic man meeting with Javier Solana:
“Hamas is currently trying to obtain funding from Iran and has asked the Iranians for advice on how they think Hamas should lead the PA..”
“We cannot talk with a terror group that has the blood of thousands of people on its hands”
This guy is the bright light at Kadima so far..
The Jerusalem Post has the full skinny!
The Magician, able to ‘magically’ make Terrorists ‘disappear’ meets with Hosni Mubarak
The Hashmonean posted about Foreign Minister Livni’s recent trip to Egypt, which was only mildly successful. No problemo, send in ‘Magic’ Mofaz, Israel’s Defense Minister.
This guy, doesn’t mess around, he eats Terrorists for breakfast.
“Hamas’ control over the Palestinian Authority is just another part of the ‘axis of evil’ that includes Iran, Syria, and now extends to the PA from where it will extend to additional countries that harbor terror organizations,” Shaul Mofaz with reporters after his meet & greet with Hosni Mubarak.
Despite round two in the critical diplomacy department for Israel, most especially since Egypt has been tasked with helping manage the Gaza border, Hosni continues to hold his ground. He’s sticking with the line that what is required is patience, as he believes Hamas will reform.
He’s probably pretty dead wrong, but hey – At least these two regional powers are meeting, cooperating (even if at a limited basis) and ensuring dialog remains a critical component. Egypt’s Govt is no Hamas lover, Radical Islamists are as much a threat to Hosni’s Government as Israel’s.. If not more.
Former IDF Chief of Staff, formerly Israel's Defense Minister until short few months ago, and the only man with any cohones in the cabinet casts the lone single abstention in key vote (Ynet), refuses to vote in favour of the cease fire..
Vociferously opposed delays in military operations in Lebanon..
Is Mofaz perfectly positioned for major leap forward in the political chaos that will surely ensue in Israel?
Run a keyword search here at the hashmonean to read a number of posts about this military powerhouse in Israel.
Ynet on the Defense Minister shoring up the troops confidence.
[...] We will continue to work using all means available – fast, precise and intense artillery fire," he said.
Mofaz told soldiers that the Hamas government is taking no action against terror groups, leaving Israel no choice but to use all available means.
"We have to act using deterrence, assassinations, prevention, and disruption of all terror channels, and we will intensify our operations. We need to continue the fight against Hamas in a decisive manner," he said.
"So long as there is no peace on the Israeli side, there will be no peace on the Palestinian side. We will intensify and boost the level of operations against all terror organizations and channels," he added.
Mofaz said he was satisfied with the international community’s support for Israel in its legitimate fight against the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority.
Good overview of the situation and the IDF responses, worth a read. Chief Halutz stating that the Kassam cells are in crisis and the pressure will continue, while aid and humanitarian goods will flow to support Gaza’s population.
Mofaz declares Jerusalem United; PA Endorses Livni..
I’ve been hammering Livni like a jackhammer, but it only takes a few words from Saeb Erekat to REALLY do some damage. Whomever the Palestinians endorse, you can slot my vote in the exact OPPOSITE column. That probably goes for the other 70% of Israelis or so polled who have declared they will never accept giving up on Jerusalem.
Haaretz who have been spinning for Livni like dervishes actually report this like it is some sort of badge of honor to be the preferred candidate of the PA!?
Everything is a great Nakba for the Palestinians, funny I didn’t hear them declare it disastrous every time their own militants attack Israel, was it also a great Nakba when Hamas seized Gaza? How about when the Qassams are fired, non of these things threaten the peace process it seems.. Only Mofaz lol. On another note, Meir Sheetrit a third more distant candidate vying for the Kadima mantle yesterday told his supporters that Israelis were sick and tired of candidates who had to ‘learn on the job’ - blasting Livni.. What a guy, he must read the Hashmonean too ;)
Hamas leaders not immune
It has been picking at me since early January, the scratch started to become unbearable after the PA elections when Hamas won. Like everyone else, I was wondering how such disaster could be handled now that the General was in hospital, unable to lead.
It didn’t help that Olmert has been sheltered up in election mode, wrangled to no end by advisors living their election dream. For a very long time the magic words should have been said. Their meaning is clear to all, but until one says them, puts them out there so to speak, the spell is useless.
Mofaz knows how to marginalize Hamas.. by neutering them.
(more…)
Mofaz tables Disengagement+ in bid to top Livni
The internal battle for the Kadima leadership rolls on. Shaul Mofaz the party #2 seized an opportune moment (all Israeli political heavy weights abroad) to let loose a bombshell as part of his leadership bid, a new peace plan.. To recognize a Palestinian State!
[...] Under the plan, Israel would annex settlement blocs while withdrawing from 60 percent of the West Bank, comprising Areas A and B, where 99.2 of the Palestinians live, and additional land to create territorial contiguity. A Palestinian state would be set up in those areas of the West Bank and in Gaza, while no settlements would be evacuated at that stage.
Israel would then negotiate the fate of the rest of the West Bank and other core issues of the conflict with the leadership of the new Palestinian state, while passing legislation sanctioning compensation for settlers living in outlying settlements that would be evacuated.
“As a candidate to lead the country, I felt I had to present a plan” – Mofaz. [...]
Mofaz’s plan is very different than Livni’s Annapolis process, in which Israel would make no concessions to the Palestinians until a final-status deal would be reached on all issues. Bypassing Livni on the left, Mofaz said he would be willing to negotiate with Hamas under certain conditions to advance the plan.
“If Hamas would be elected and would want to negotiate and accept the quartet’s conditions, from that moment, it is no longer Hamas,” Mofaz said. “Responsible leadership in Israel would sit with those who changed their agenda.” [...]
Please everyone but Israel plan..
Shaul Mofaz goes gunning for Livni
Not quite sure what if any benefit would arise from Mofaz’s plan. We already tried the disengagement plan in Gaza with poor results. This time out Mofaz seems convinced the entity leading this proposed Palestinian state may be Hamas from the get go, yet he’s undeterred. Isn’t the objective supposed to be gaining some peace? It seems highly unlikely any deal would result from this disengagement+ plan, we’d be in the same spot we are in now less the land and with 10x the security threat.
Equally, this doesn’t assist us in any way securing a regional peace deal with the Arab world. Sorta looks like a plan full of rewards for all the wrong people (including terrorists) with little payoff for Israel. Mofaz is clearly gambling he can rely on his solid right military credentials.. While leaping way left, poaching at Livni’s support base in the mix of Labor, Kadima, Meretz liberal soup that exists.
Time will tell how solid that keeps his right flank in Kadima & beyond. The center party is comprised of both right & left after all. Is this electable? Olmert certainly tried, but witness the backlash in Israel with the resurgent right as a result.
Not that it matters much – Hamas responds..
Former Palestinian Authority foreign minister Mahmoud Zahar of Hamas responded that it would never accept the Quartet’s conditions, which include recognizing Israel, disarming terrorists, and accepting diplomatic deals signed by the PA.
“Hamas will not negotiate with Israel,” said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum. “We do not believe in engaging with the occupation, or in talks that would beautify its face in the eyes of the world.” [...]
Mofaz is gunning for Livni
Shaul is sure to get much more headway with his plan internally within Kadima. He upstages Livni who’s leadership qualities are being weekly challenged within the party, he even tosses in the fact Ehud Barak & President Peres support the initiative. All subtle jabs at Tzipi. Her personal relationship with Barak is frosty at best, and her own plan beyond opposing Netanayhu in everything remains obscured. The strategy of undermining her here is already paying off..
Kadima warms to Mofaz plan for Hamas talks, despite Livni opposition (Haaretz)
Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni on Tuesday slammed party rival Shaul Mofaz’ plan to open negotiations with Hamas in order to push forth the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying the concept ran contrary to their faction’s political platform.
While Livni would prefer to ignore the initiative of her number 2, however, she will not be able to avoid the issue for very long, as Kadima MKs are demanding a serious discussion. [...]
A number of Kadima MKs, some of whom supported Livni in her primary fight against Mofaz, support discussing his proposal. [...]
Not Ready for Prime Time
All in all it doesn’t look like Mofaz’s plan will gain much traction in the wider Israel arena, it’s too far left for the climate, not too mention dreamy in regards to Hamas. But I’m not sure it was designed for that purpose. With Bibi, Lieberman, Barak, Livni all clamoring at the top for the leadership of Israel stakes, it is a bit crowded up there right now.
Mofaz has other things to worry about, he’s got to knock Livni out of the Kadima leadership perch before he can play on their turf. His plan looks like the latest in a series of ever more forceful branch shakes.
—————-
Link Update: Mofaz taking heat & clarifying his Hamas statements (Jpost)
“I was the one who fought Hamas through the crosshairs of an Apache [assault helicopter], I stood behind the assassinations of [Sheikh Ahmed] Yassin and [Abdel Aziz] Rantisi and did everything I could to halt the suicide-bombers’ terror from Judea and Samaria during Operation Defensive Shield, and was in charge of the ongoing hits on top Hamas figures between 2003-2005 in Gaza. Nobody can doubt what I think about Hamas.”
Haaretz is surprised, the rest of us perhaps less so..
Mofaz attracting surprising level of support in Kadima
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent
After winning the support Monday of Housing and Construction Minister Ze’ev Boim and MK Ronit Tirosh in his bid to head Kadima, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz is expected to also get nods from the minister for the development of the Negev and the Galilee, Jacob Edery, and Cabinet Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila. Sources within Kadima who have spoken with Edery and Avraham Balila say they will both join the Mofaz camp. Avraham Balila is expected to convene her supporters today and then hold a press conference to announce her decision.
MK Tzachi Hanegbi is also slated to meet with activists on Tuesday, in the Petah Tikva home of Levy Sheetrit, a major Mofaz supporter. He has not, however, yet made clear whose candidacy he will support. Observers believe that even if Hanegbi decides to put his weight behind Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, he will not force his choice on his supporters in the party. [...]
[...] Boim’s decision to join the Mofaz camp defied the expectations of both Mofaz and Livni. At Monday’s press conference he admitted that the decision was not an easy one.
“I made a list of the traits needed in a prime minister – level-headedness, calm; military, foreign affairs and political experience; decision-making capabilities, reliability, modesty and integrity – I reached the conclusion that Shaul Mofaz was the most suitable person,” Boim said.
Ouch – As for Livni, it’s nothing personal but this is not the time for experiments in experience & judgement, I’m more than inclined to agree with the esteemed Minister Boim (Immigration & Absorption, an honored ministry here in Israel for obvious reasons). Livni has made ‘good judgement’ the central plank of her campaign, just as Obama has stateside. It’s a very quaint way of saying there’s not much to base your vote for me on as far as track record is concerned, neither makes a particularly convincing argument to me. In Livni’s case, she has occupied for 2 years a central position of authority in Government, Foreign Minister and one of several deputy Prime Ministers, unfortunately while she may maintain she has exhibited good judgement – Experience shows she has been highly ineffective for Israel thus far. Experience combined with lack thereof in her case, unlike the Illinois rockstar with a blank slate save for community organizing, is working against her.
Rice’s Arrival could spell doom – Olmert / Livni plan leaked
Recent polls show Livni has a 4-5 point advantage over Mofaz, about 38% vs 33%, within the margin of error. But leaks of the deals she has been negotiating with the PA are now surfacing, this could work out unfavorably for Livni. Worse, Condi Rice is flying to Israel in the next two weeks to try and squeeze out a joint statement by Israel & the PA on progress in the Annapolis process, putting the stamp of ‘legitimacy’ on Livni’s efforts thus far well beyond any leaks.
This is fairly nightmarish for Livni, it may result in intense criticism arising from the negotiations she has done thus far, with none of the glory / left wing euphoria over a finished deal that she can campaign on for electoral approval. Saving face for Rice, whom herself is desperate for something positive to attach herself to after a disastrous 4 year State Department stint, could cost Livni the primary.. Most especially if Abbas & the PA react with their usual sour puss face to these initiatives offered by Kadima towards peace, because they already contain some whopper concessions. Mofaz, can stand on the side polishing his M-16 meanwhile. It may be an enviable position in the coming weeks for the sly Shaul (Fox in Hebrew).
UPDATE: PA Rejects Offer Out of Hand
YNET [...] “The Israeli proposal is not acceptable,” Abbas’ spokesman said. “The Palestinian side will only accept a Palestinian state with territorial continuity, with holy Jerusalem as its capital, without settlements, and on the June 4, 1967 boundaries.”
He called the Israeli proposal a “waste of time”.
No surprise, the Palestinians are not interested in peace, only trying to break Israel into pieces. 93% + of the West Bank isn’t good enough it seems - 40 years later the palestinians are stuck in a time capsule, keep dreaming and dying.. Suits me fine, instead they can get nothing for the next 40 years, by then we will have settled another 50-60 percent and they can make do with Gaza for all I care.
That's me, I'm part of the vast global Zionist Conspiracy you often 'read' about ;)
Hashmonean | About | Contact | Recent Archives | Top | 
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution2.5 Canada License.
Hashmonean.com Copyright, 2006. : powered by WordPress.
Comments(7)
