The recent elections in Israel have left uncertainty about the shape of a new govt, but little doubt that the Obama administration had suffered a setback in its bid to mobilise efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. The surge in votes for conservative parties revealed declining Israeli support for negotiations with a divided Palestinian leadership. Whether the new govt is formed by the right-wing Likud party or the centrist Kadirna, It will likely be too divided to conduct a peace negotiation, even if it wants to.
While US president Barack Obama's new team might be able to help stabilise the Gaza Strip after weeks of heavy fighting, and gradually improve Palestinian living conditions and institutions, chances for a comprehensive peace deal have been diminished. US officials acknowledged the difficulty of their task but said they thought Israel's new governmem would move towards peace because it's in the national interest. Middle East experts said the new conservative cast of the govt makes USIsraeli friction more likely in several areas.
One is over the accelerating growth of Israeli settlements on the West Bank. Another is over how to deal with the Palestinian govt if the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, tries again to form a unity govt with the rival Hamas faction that controls Gaza. Many experts foresee a potential clash over how to deal with Iran's nuclear programme. While the Obama administration is preparing to make a diplomatic approach to Tehran, Israelis arc worried that Iran may be close to acquiring the means to make a nuclear weapon.
Israeli President Shimon Peres is expected to ask Likud, led by former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, or Kadima, led by foreign minister Tzipi Livni, to try to put together a governing coalition. Many analysts predicted that Netanyahu would prevail. But they said that even if Livni, who has worked with the Bush administration on peace efforts, forms the govt, she would have to rely on conservative coalition partners who would keep her from moving towards a settlement, The fact that Livni will be unable to form a coalition without right-wing parries indicates that Israelis want a new direction. They feel that the current path of negotiating with a Palestinian Authority that lacks any real authority over thePalestinians is meaningless, and that Israelis want reciprocity.
The elections have made AvigdorLieberman, leader of Yisrael Beitenu. the kingmaker. Lieberman has been called a demagogue by some for proposing that Israel's Arab citizens be required to take loyalty oaths. Some Kadima officials warned that if right-wing parties form the new govt, Israel could lose international support. Neta nyahu had a strained relationship with the Clinton administration during his years as prime minister, from 1996 to 1999. Books written about Clinton's peace efforts quote the former president and aides delivering scalding denunciations of the strong-willed Netanyahu. The Likud party leader was critical, during the election campaign,of the peace process promoted by the Bush administration, and skeptical that a deal could be struck. He has called instead for Israel to work on an "Economic Peace Plan" for the Palestinian territories.
While US president Barack Obama's new team might be able to help stabilise the Gaza Strip after weeks of heavy fighting, and gradually improve Palestinian living conditions and institutions, chances for a comprehensive peace deal have been diminished. US officials acknowledged the difficulty of their task but said they thought Israel's new governmem would move towards peace because it's in the national interest. Middle East experts said the new conservative cast of the govt makes USIsraeli friction more likely in several areas.
One is over the accelerating growth of Israeli settlements on the West Bank. Another is over how to deal with the Palestinian govt if the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, tries again to form a unity govt with the rival Hamas faction that controls Gaza. Many experts foresee a potential clash over how to deal with Iran's nuclear programme. While the Obama administration is preparing to make a diplomatic approach to Tehran, Israelis arc worried that Iran may be close to acquiring the means to make a nuclear weapon.
Israeli President Shimon Peres is expected to ask Likud, led by former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, or Kadima, led by foreign minister Tzipi Livni, to try to put together a governing coalition. Many analysts predicted that Netanyahu would prevail. But they said that even if Livni, who has worked with the Bush administration on peace efforts, forms the govt, she would have to rely on conservative coalition partners who would keep her from moving towards a settlement, The fact that Livni will be unable to form a coalition without right-wing parries indicates that Israelis want a new direction. They feel that the current path of negotiating with a Palestinian Authority that lacks any real authority over thePalestinians is meaningless, and that Israelis want reciprocity.
The elections have made AvigdorLieberman, leader of Yisrael Beitenu. the kingmaker. Lieberman has been called a demagogue by some for proposing that Israel's Arab citizens be required to take loyalty oaths. Some Kadima officials warned that if right-wing parties form the new govt, Israel could lose international support. Neta nyahu had a strained relationship with the Clinton administration during his years as prime minister, from 1996 to 1999. Books written about Clinton's peace efforts quote the former president and aides delivering scalding denunciations of the strong-willed Netanyahu. The Likud party leader was critical, during the election campaign,of the peace process promoted by the Bush administration, and skeptical that a deal could be struck. He has called instead for Israel to work on an "Economic Peace Plan" for the Palestinian territories.
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