October 10, 2010 Arab League, Citzenship Law, J Street

Netanyahu announced in his speech from the Knesset that he would agree to a settlement freeze, if Abu Mazen told his people that Israel was the land of the Jewish people. While its clear that this offer itself is a non-starter, Netanyahu also stated that other options are being discussed. Now that Netanyahu has publically agreed to the concept of an additional two month freeze, it's clear that as soon as the price is reached (which will be in one month- days or hours before the Arab League's deadline) an agreement will be reached. In the meantime opposition leader Tzpi Livni seems to have concluded that Netanyahu is not willing to make the hard decision required to reach peace. After a long hiatus, during which she did not criticize the government, she strongly attacked Netanyahu in an TV interview over the weekend and followed up that attack with another strong attack today at the opening session of the Knesset. At the opening session, right-wing members of the Knesset walked out during the speech of President Shimon Peres.

In that speech Peres stated there was a majority in the Knesset, and among the Israeli public at-large, for a two state solution.

Avigdor Lieberman continues to find new ways to earn the title the worlds worse foreign minister. Yesterday, in a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of France and Spain he told them that they should first solve Europe's problems before coming to Israel to offer advise. Lieberman then made sure that his words were leaked to the press. He really wants to ensure that when Israelis says "the whole world is against us", it becomes a total reality. I am sure his words play well with his voters, but I really wish the state's attorney (who has been reviewing the police recommendation that Lieberman be brought up on corruption charges for over a year) would stop dragging his feet...