News and Updates

"The Palestinians have made efforts to block us from beingaccepted into the OECD despite the proximity talks and a number of gestures we have made towards them"

believe that our bond with Jerusalem, with Zion, is different from the bond of any other people. Our bond withstood thousands of years and three destructions: the destruction of the First Temple, the destruction of the Second Temple and the destruction that came 60 years after the destruction of the Second Temple. Through all this, our longing for Jerusalem and Zion remained unshakable. It was expressed throughout the generations, "Next year in Jerusalem", next year in the built Jerusalem.

"We do not want to rule over our neighbors [the Palestinians]. They govern themselves, and it is good that this is so. But that does not mean that Jews do not have a right to live in Judea and Samaria," said Ya'alon.

"It is difficult for he current generation to imagine a world without Israel ; it was a different world. But throughout their generations, Jews prayed 'Next year in Jerusalem ' and, in the end, realized this. Sixty-two years ago, the Jewish People returned to its homeland and built a state, a government, an army and an economy. While all of this is very important, it is insufficient because the main thing is the identity and the spirit. The Zionist revolution is mainly a revolution of the spirit. The collective memory of our people goes back almost 4,000 years. No other people has such a history. It is a great privilege to belong to the Jewish People."

"We pulled out of Gaza unilaterally with hopes for a better future for both sides, and began to work with Palestinians on economic development. The actual outcome, however, was a Hamas coup and thousands of missiles and rockets launched into Israel. Understandably, the Israeli public is now much more resistant to unilateral withdrawals or concessions."

There is no tolerance without boundaries and the boundary of tolerance must be outlined. And that is the answer that all free countries must define for themselves. The historic failure of the free societies when faced with the Nazi animal was that they did not stand up against it in time, while there was still a chance to stop it.  And here we are today again witnesses to the fire of the new-old hatred, the hatred of the Jews, that is expressed by organizations and regimes associated with radical Islam, headed by Iran and its proxies.

Bogey is satisfied with the situation ("the country is getting built, the economy is flourishing, time is on our side, we are the strongest "); with Netanyahu ("to my regret, he is portrayed as hesitant and zigzagging"); with his job ("it's a good thing they don't know what I do"); with the "seven" [The inner cabinet, Bibi's top advisors] ("I can't remember a better period with respect to the decision-making process"). Dismantling settlements? "It's an aberration." Agreement with the Palestinians? "As I see it - previously, I would have been ready to divide the country but today I'm no longer ready to do so". Deepening crisis with the Americans? "They come to us with unprecedented demands - that's a mistake on the part of the administration. In the United States there is sweeping support for Israel."

The strategy of Minister for Strategic Affairs, Bogey Yaalon.

"The Jewish people were building Jerusalem 3,000 years ago and the Jewish people are building Jerusalem today. Jerusalem is not a settlement. It's our capital"

Today, we honor the bravery of the 12 Israeli underground fighters, 12 men who, even when the hour approached for them to be summoned to the gallows, did not despair. Instead their belief in their mission to liberate their homeland only grew stronger.

"Today, Christians by the thousands, by the tens of thousands, by the hundreds of thousands, by the millions, by the tens of millions - today they have heard this call, and they stand with Israel. I salute you, the people of Israel salute you, the Jewish people salute you."

"Rachel's Tomb and the Tomb of the Patriarchs - the over 3,500-year old resting places of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Jewish People: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel - certainly deserve preservation and rehabilitation."

The vision and foundation on which the State of Israel was established and stands today is the idea of Zionism.
This name is derived from the word ‘Zion', and Zion is, after all, Jerusalem. In other words, the Zionist vision is the vision of Jerusalem. It could be called "the dream of Jerusalem".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahucalled Brig.-Gen. (res.) Shalom Ben-Ari, commander of the IDF Search and Rescue Unit, who will lead the Israeli team that is due to leave for Haiti this evening (Thursday), 14.1.10, and wished him success in the important mission of saving lives in the earthquake zone.

"We're here today because 40 Members of Knesset have called for this special session to discuss the Government's foreign policy so I'd like to address the principles that guide our actions in the realm of foreign affairs and defense."

I know you're all interested in economics, but there are some journalists here tonight who are interested in something else. So if you'll allow me to address them for a moment, they'll be able to go - and then we can talk about economics.

Following are PM Netanyahu's remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today

"Last year governments around the world were alarmed by a threatening global crisis. Today we stand here with cautious optimism"

Honorable Speaker of the Knesset,

Government Ministers,

Members of Knesset,

Dear Jabotinsky Family,

Students and Disciples of the Leader of Betar,

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will recommend to the Jewish Agency Board of Governors that Natan Sharansky be appointed as the Agency's next Chairman.

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a visiting U.S. envoy on Thursday that his government would condition talks over Palestinian statehood on the Palestinians first recognizing Israel as a Jewish state.

For thr article, please click

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sarah, were hosted by the Fahima family in Or Akiva for the Mimuna post-Pessah celebration on Wednesday night.

Prime Minister Netanyahu: "Possible to Bring an Additional 1 Million Tourists to Israel "

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke today with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and conveyed his condolences to the Italian people over the tragedy that struck Italy in the wake of the recent earthquake. The prime minister told his Italian counterpart that Israel is ready to provide such assistance as may be requested and noted Israel 's experience in dealing with rescues and rehabilitation.

Cabinet's proposal to script biennial budget passes in second and third Knesset readings following all-night discussion on issue ironing out dozens of reservations expressed by opposition members. Livni one of only MKs to remain in discussion throughout night. Opposition: Nothing will be easy for this government. Oron: Coverup for buying future coalition votes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the defense establishment on the successful test of the Arrow missile that was carried out earlier today.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak spoke by telephone earlier this evening.President Mubarak congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu on forming a government. The two leaders emphasized the friendly state of bilateral relations and promised to continue and strengthen them.

The cabinet unanimously approved the first two-year budget in Israel's history yesterday at its first regular Sunday morning meeting. Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz proposed that the 2009 and 2010 budgets be approved by the Knesset at the same time and together as a single package. The Knesset has never been presented with - or voted on - a two-year budget. However, such a move requires changing two fundamental law changes: on the Basic Law on The State Economy and the basic law governing the budget.

Published:04.05.09, 19:19 / Israel News

Noam and Aviva Shalit, parents of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit are to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel telephoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, congratulated him on his election and wished him success.

'Greatest threat to Israel, all of mankind will come from radical regime that will try to arm itself with nuclear weapons,' incoming PM says during new government's induction ceremony, adding 'we have no desire to rule over Palestinians'

Following nightly meeting at Knesset PM-designate informs Steinitz he will be appointing him finance minister in his new government; Officials in Netanyahu's office stress Bibi will be in charge of strategic economic policy

Just one day before his new government is sworn in, prime minister-designate informs his party's Knesset members of their designated portfolios. MK Kahlon appointed communications minister, Erdan to become environment minister, Steinitz slated to be named finance minister. MK Reuven Rivlin named Knesset speaker.

Binyamin Netanyahu's 100-day team introduced a platform Thursday for the new government to follow during its first few months.

Binyamin Netanyahu's 100-day team introduced a platform Thursday for the new government to follow during its first few months.

Speaking at economic conference in Jerusalem, PM-designate promises to resume diplomatic talks with Palestinians after he takes office, calls a strong economy a 'strong foundation for peace'

Netanyahu updates Peres on deal with Labor

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu called President Shimon Peres and briefed him on the agreement signed with the Labor party, in which a number of understandings on political and economic issues were reached.

LABOUR is set to join the new Israeli Government of Benjamin Netanyahu after a dramatic about-face yesterday by party leader Ehud Barak, who said only weeks ago that Labour needed a period in opposition to rebuild itself after its poor showing in last month's election.

Israeli Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu sat down last week with Newsweek-Washington Post's Lally Weymouth -- his first interview with foreign media since he was asked by President Shimon Peres to form Israel's next government.

That Likud and Kadima are still nearly tied in the polls is astounding when you consider their respective leaders' records. One, despite known flaws, has racked up several impressive successes in previous posts. The other has amassed an unbroken string of failures.

Analysis: Evelyn Gordon, JPost

"Jerusalem will not be divided and Gamla will not fall again," Likud chairman and prime ministerial candidate Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday during a tour of the Golan Heights (Source: Jerusalem Post).


Netanyahu attends tree planting ceremony in northern Israel, promises Likud-led government will never divide Jerusalem, or cede Golan Heights.

Speaking hours after a rocket fired from Gaza exploded in a kibbutz near the Hamas-run enclave, Netanyahu -- widely tipped to become prime minister after Tuesday's vote -- vowed his government would put a stop to such attacks (Source: AFP)

Opposition chairman attends tree planting ceremony in northern Israel, promises Likud-led government will never divide Jerusalem, cede Golan Heights (Source: YNet News).

Twice as many lawmakers will recommend to President Shimon Peres that Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu form the next government as will back Kadima leader Tzipi Livni, according to a survey conducted by The Jerusalem Post (Source: Jerusalem Post).

Surveys predict a narrow win in Tuesday's vote for hawkish ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu, his comeback fuelled by the inconclusive wars in southern Lebanon and Gaza, formerly areas under Israel's control and now bastions of hostile Islamists (Source: Reuters).

Three days before the national elections, Likud candidate for Knesset and former IDF chief of staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Moshe Ya'alon warned voters that after the elections, Israel Beiteinu Avigdor Lieberman could recommend to the president that Tzipi Livni build the coalition, Army Radio reported.

Public opinion polls before Israel's national elections next Tuesday have consistently shown former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the lead (Source: VOA News).

The last of the 9,300 voting booths were readied for use and delivered to the regional election committees Wednesday in preparation for next Tuesday's general election. (Source: Jerusalem Post).

Last month's IDF operation in Gaza did not go far enough, Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu said Wednesday.

(Source: Jerusalem Post)

Are you an undecided voter? Let me suggest that there are four major reasons to vote for Likud rather than a small party
 


source: Jerusalem Post, Opinion column by Shalom Helman

Surrounded by dozens of photographers -- a level of attention rival candidates have not enjoyed -- Netanyahu made his way through the crowd with a smile and a clear message: "A Likud government will keep Jerusalem united under Israeli sovereignty." (Source: Reuters)

Over the past week I took statements from about a dozen people who know Tzipi Livni quite well. None of them is close to either Benjamin Netanyahu or Ehud Barak. Most support Kadima or parties on the left. Nevertheless, all are concerned. The portrait they paint of Livni is a disturbing one.

Analysis: Ari Shavit, Haaretz 

Not only does Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud seem bound to emerge as the largest single party, but the bloc of right-wing and religious parties that it leads seems certain to garner a winning majority in the 120-member Knesset (Source:  JTA).

Photo: Netanyahu visiting Sderot. Archive

"When we said a few years ago that missiles will fly in the direction of Ashkelon, Tzipi Livni and Kadima mocked us"

Source: haaretz

(Source: Jerusalem Post, Daniel Doron).

Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu toured the Mount of Olives and the City of David on Monday afternoon, and promised to keep Jerusalem united, should he win next Tuesday's election (Source:Jerusalem Post).

Israel, Netanyahu says, should have destroyed Hamas -- which he views as an outpost of Iranian power on Israel's southern border -- rather than withdrawing amid a shaky cease-fire (Source: Washington Post).

Likud chairman delivers online daily speech to citizens in little time left before elections (Source: YNet News).

Kadima's  founding director-general and former MK, Avigdor Yitzhaki, announced that he will be voting for the Likud on February 10 (Source: Jerusalem Post).

Polls show Benjamin Netanyahu's opposition Likud party leading over Barak's Labor and the ruling Kadima party of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni (Source: Bloomberg.com).

Netanyahu: "It is clear that Hamas is rearming, clearly it is hitting us, clearly it is testing us. The next government will have no choice but to finish the job and uproot ... the Iranian terror base" (Source: Chicago Tribune).

With less than two weeks to go until the elections, Likud is in the lead by 3-5 seats, according to the results of two polls published Friday (Source: Jerusalem Post).

Sharansky said he was convinced that Netanyahu would get along well with Obama's administration and that the president would endorse Netanyahu's approach to achieving peace with the Palestinians.

In an interview with Israel's Channel 2 TV, Netanyahu said if elected prime minister his first mission will be to thwart the Iranian nuclear threat. Netanyahu, the current opposition leader and head of the hardline Likud party, called Iran the greatest danger to Israel and to all humanity (Source: International Herald Tribune).

Binyamin Netanyahu: Iran is a 'fanatic radical regime committed to a pre-medieval view of the world'.

Source: Times Online

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who served as finance minister in 2003 and 2005, is the most qualified of the top three candidates [...] to deal with the looming economic storm (Source: The Jewish Week).

Israel did not complete its attack on Hamas in IDF Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, Likud chair Binyamin Netanyahu said Thursday morning (Source: Jerusalem Post).

A Kassam rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning fell in an open area near the town of Sderot (Source: Jerusalem Post).

Likud chair Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday responded to a roadside bomb near Gaza's Kissufim crossing which killed an IDF soldier earlier in the day (Source: Jerusalem Post).

Shas chairman Eli Yishai on Tuesday announced that his party would endorse Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu as the next prime minister (Source: Haaretz).

Eli Livni, brother of Kadima leader Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, has returned to his former Likud camp and is campaigning for his sister's main rival, Likud chairman and Knesset Member Binyamin Netanyahu (Source: Israel National News) .

Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu sent a message to voters on the Right on Tuesday that the only way to strengthen a government led by him would be to vote for the Likud and not smaller, right-wing parties (Source: Jerusalem Post).

Benjamin Netanyahu is pulling away from rivals in the race to become Israel's next prime minister.

Source: Financial Times, UK

According to news sources, even Egypt believes Netanyahu will be the next Prime Minister and that he will not be as easy on the Hamas.

Source: Haaretz

By July 1998, two years after Binyamin Netanyahu had been elected prime minister, the impression that he and US president Bill Clinton were at loggerheads was so widespread that PBS's Jim Lehrer asked Clinton the following question: "The word around... is that you and Netanyahu really just don't like each other very much. Is that right?"  Clinton's response was telling. "I don't think so. It's certainly not true on my part."

Source: JPost, Analysis by Herb Keinon,

A Likud-led government would not build new settlements in the West Bank but would allow for natural growth, Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu told Quartet envoy Tony Blair Sunday.

Source: Haaretz

Israelis became more skeptical of peace, as Hamas, the Islamic militant group running Gaza, stepped up rocket fire into southern Israel. And that has helped Netanyahu hold a consistent lead in voter surveys before and since the Gaza offensive (Source: Los Angeles Times).

Israel's would-be prime minister says he was mocked for warning of the Gaza rocket threat.

Excerpts from Interview of the Week By Bret Stephens, Wall Street Journal

The perceived successes of the offensive have not diminished the popularity of Netanyahu's Likud Party, surveys show. A poll Fuchs conducted immediately after Israel ceased fire on Sunday put Likud as front-runner with 29 of parliament's 120 seats (Source: The Associated Press).

Shoval replied that the real question was if Mahmoud Abbas was strong enough to make peace with Israel or whether it was first necessary to create a Palestinian economic infrastructure and governance that could sustain a peace accord with Israel. Only after this trial period, would it be possible to consider the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. This is the approach proposed by Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu (Source: IsraCast).

Sources close to Netanyahu dismissed Kadima's "Obama campaign" and called it "very superficial" and indicated that Kadima was "desperate." The sources said that unlike Livni, Netanyahu had a deep understanding, developed over many years, of the American administration and its central figures

Source: Haaretz

Benjamin Netanyahu: The tax cut will lead to everyone paying about 20% less than what they pay today.

Source: Globes

"We have to decide, do we want a full democracy, which enables extremists, or something less than that, that gives us someone to talk to? Abu Mazen can't go to Gaza, and what we need to do, instead of the Saudi initiative, is embrace countries like Egypt and Jordan. We can even embrace the Saudis, but [Likud] will never agree to their peace plan."

Source: Jpost.com

Kadima Council chairman and former Rishon Lezion mayor Meir Nitzan said Wednesday that he was resigning from his post and would vote Likud in the February 10 general election.

Source: Jpost.com

Likud party Chairman Netanyahu is confident that if elected, he will "get along very well with Obama and the Democrat administration in the White House ".

Source: Politico

Polls show that the conservative opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party have opened up a bigger lead, based on a public concern that the offensive left the Hamas regime intact while failing to free an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, imprisoned in Gaza for 2-1/2 years (Source: Christian Science Monitor).

Photo: IDF Spokesman

Israel clearly won the latest round with Hamas, but could have gone deeper into Gaza and done greater damage to the organization, according to military analysts in the US media on a visit to the region this week.

Source: Jpost.com

As part of the election campaign, the Likud has unveiled its new campaign using the slogan "The objective: Security". "This slogan joins its previous slogan "Strong on Security, Strong on the Economy".

Source: NRG

IDF is concerned that Hamas and Iran will try to smuggle long-range Fajr missiles into the Gaza Strip, which have a range of 70 km, and if fired from Gaza would easily reach Tel Aviv (Source: Jerusalem Post).

Though surveys on Sunday predicted  Labour would win 14 or 15 of the 120 seats in parliament -- almost double that previously forecast -- former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party was still the front-runner. Likud looks set to win as many as 31 seats (Source: Reuters).

"We have a strong people and a strong military that dealt a harsh blow to the Hamas, but unfortunately the work is still not done," Netanyahu said during a visit to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba.

(Source: Jpost.com)

The first poll conducted about Israel's upcoming parliamentary elections since the end of the offensive in Gaza show Likud as the front-runner with 29 seats.

(Source: Haaretz Service and Reuters)

Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Dr. Shimon Shapira

Nidal al-Mughrabi

Militants fired four rockets into Sderot on Sunday, hours after Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, an Israeli spokesman said (Source: cnn.com).

"I said time and time again that the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza would produce Hamastan...that the cease-fire was imaginary, and would simply produce longer-range rockets...all of that has happened. I'm sorry it happened. We have to say ‘how do we prevent these mistakes from repeating themselves?'"

Mr Netanyahu, who is the frontrunner to win next month's general election and succeed Ehud Olmert as prime minister, said: "At the end of the day, there will be no escape from toppling the Hamas rule . . . If the government decides to adopt this goal, we will also back it."

(Source: Financial Times, UK)

In an exclusive interview to Channel 10, Likud chairman Netanyahu said "we must not return to the mistakes of the tahadiya. We need deeds, not words, to stop the smuggling of missiles to the Hamas . We do not want to see the citizens of Sderot, Ashkelon or Tel-Aviv threatened by rocket fire".

Netanyahu discusses the operation Gaza, Osama bin Laden's recently released audio tape, and the incoming Obama administration's stance on critical Mideast issues.

Source: FoxNews (video)

In a news-making and fact-filled presentation hosted by One Jerusalem organization, Israel's former Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, briefed American and international bloggers on Israel's defensive action against Hamas, Iran's role in the conflict and its threat to the free world, and the need for friends of Israel to set the record straight --by repeating the facts.

Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu said on a visit that he made to Ashdod that he realizes the importance of building a public hospital in the region.

Election favourite says movement should 'ultimately be removed' from Gaza (Source: guardian.co.uk).

According to an online survey conducted by Panels Ltd. especially for Channel 2 news, the Likud partyled by Netanyahu would strengthen with 33 Knesset seats if elections would be held today (Source: Arutz Sheva).

In the days of the intifadas and the Israel Defense Forces' operations in the territories, I understood the empathy for the bitter lot of Palestinians ... But the wailing over the deaths of children in Gaza while we are fighting a defensive war over the security of our country has really crossed the line, if you ask me. (Source: Haaretz).

Abraham Cooper and Harold Brackman

What if Osama bin Laden and company were holed up in a bunker underneath a hospital in Afghanistan occupied by women and children deployed as shields? Would President Obama launch an immediate strike with cruise missiles or hesitate because of the hostages? Would such a move thwart future 9/11's and be viewed as the death knell of al-Qaeda? Or would there be a firestorm of international protest that the American response was a "disproportionate" violation of humanitarian international law and even a "war crime"?

Bret Stephens

It isn't merely Israel's right to exist, or the Palestinian Authority's, that Hamas denies. It denies Palestine's as well.

While missiles were falling on the city of Ashdod, Benjamin Netanyahu paid a visit to encourage the city's residents. After a visit to the local recently-established hospital, he received a briefing at a kindergarten which had suffered a direct hit but luckily was empty at the time.

In regard to Iran's nuclear plan, Netanyahu stated that it is a threat not only to the Middle East but to the whole world.

In a meeting with German FM in Tel Aviv Netanyahu urged Europe to stand behind Israel so as to avoid legitimizing war crimes and terror.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and senior officials in the Foreign Ministry rallied around Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Sunday, deflecting criticism that she failed in her job by not stopping the passage Thursday of the UN Security Council resolution demanding a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, left, along with Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Jerusalem, Sunday.Photo: AP

Likud and Labor officials had said earlier Sunday the fact the UN vote had passed without the American veto that has become customary for resolutions seen as harming Israel would be campaign fodder against Kadima's prime ministerial candidate.

Bibi predicted Gaza mayhem years ago, but as always, nobody wanted to listen (Source: YNet News).

Israel is significantly weakening Hamas - with Palestinian help (Source: The Wall Street Journal).

It's war. Victory requires a superior military advantage (Source: Christian Science Monitor).

By Alan M. Dershowitz
As Israel persists in its military efforts-by ground, air and sea-to protect its citizens from deadly Hamas rockets, and as protests against Israel increase around the world, the success of the abominable Hamas double war crime strategy becomes evident (Source: Hudson New York).

(Photo: Netanyahu in Ashkelon)

Netanyahu in Ashkelon: Provisions must be made to ensure a true cease-fire and an end to the smuggling of arms.
Watch BBC Video

Netanyahu came out strongly against a delay when he told reporters in the South on Monday that he would see holding the election on time as an indication that Israel had won the war ... "It would be a victory for Hamas if they succeed in interfering with Israeli democracy" Netanyahu said. (Source: Jerusalem Post)

Netanyahu visited injured troops in Beersheba on Tuesday. Everyone he met with, he said, both the city's residents and the wounded soldiers - told him that they were willing to suffer and sacrifice for everything to end.
(Source: Ynetnews) 

For several years, Israelis and Palestinians played the land-for-peace game ... But when Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran became leading players in the Middle East struggle, that land-for-peace game was suspended. A different game with different rules was begun (Source: New York Times).

Even with the war in Gaza, there is no sign of a third intifada, or uprising, despite Hamas's call for one (Source: The New York Times).

Walid Shoebat is a former member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and author of the new book God's War on Terror ... Shoebat believes if the Likud Party wins the election and Benjamin Netanyahu becomes prime minister, Hamas will have a much more difficult time (Source: onenewsnow.com).

Hamas representatives claimed on Sunday that their militiamen were fighting against IDF troops in the Gaza Strip with weapons confiscated from the Palestinian Authority in the summer of 2007 (Source: Jerusalem Post).

Shootings, stabbings, rocket and missile fire, and a bulldozer attack by Palestinian and Arab terrorists killed 36 Israelis and tourists in Israel in 2008, compared to 12 in 2007 and 29 in 2006, according to a report by Hatzalah Judea and Samaria released over the weekend (Source: Jerusalem Post).

The Israeli assault on Hamas in Gaza is going to be a replay, we're told, of the attempt to subdue Hezbollah in southern Lebanon in the summer of 2006. And the outcome, it's asserted, will be the same ... I think the conventional wisdom will be proved wrong. Israel could well succeed in Gaza (Source: New York Times).

Benjamin Netanyahu speaking to Wolf Blitzer on CNN Late Edition.
Click now to watch the full interview

From the White House to Capitol Hill, U.S. officials remained firmly behind Israel. They urged a cease-fire, but put the onus on Hamas, as Israeli troops and tanks cut through the coastal Gaza strip. U.S. lawmakers defended Israel's ground incursion as a justifiable response to Hamas rocket fire on Israel (Source: Associated Press).

Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu met this afternoon with the extended "Troika" delegation of the European Union.

"This humanitarian crisis is the direct result of the Hamas tactic of firing at our civilians and hiding behind their civilians, and it's something that we cannot tolerate"
(Source: CNN, "Late Edition)

Bloomberg: Israel is doing the right thing in defending itself
(Source: Nana10, NY Times)

A source identified with Hamas claims that nearly all of the policemen killed in the IDF's initiall airstrike were 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam members.

Amidst leftist activists, Likud activists peacefully demonstrate to show their support for Operation Cast Lead.

The UN Security Council has discussed a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire to halt the Israeli-Palestinian violence. But the meeting failed to vote on the Libyan draft after ambassadors from the US and UK said it contained nothing about Palestinian attacks on Israel (Source: BBC News).

Video: watch Channel 2 news report on Netanyahu Hasbara Campaign

After more than 13 interviews to central news stations in the past 48 hours, Netanyahu visited the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon in order to support residents in southern Israel and demonstrate to the foreign journalists accompanying him the impossibility of life under the rocket threat.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu were among those who came to visit Ashkelon, Ashdod and Sderot to meet with children who have recently fallen within the rockets' range, and journalists who are starting to ask what exactly Israel's goals are in Operation Cast Lead.

Netnayahu visits children and journalists in Ashkelon

A decisive majority of respondents support continuing the army's air campaign against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.While Likud actually gained support in the past week, it came at the expense of other right-wing parties...Likud and Kadima gained two and one MK, respectively (Source: Haaretz.com).

I think that Israel is doing the only reasonable thing that any democracy under a terrorist attack would do, and that is to try to pin point the terrorist and take action against them. Ultimately, as I say, to bring down that regime.
(Source: CNN News)

15:43 30 Dec 08 - Netanyahu calls for Hamas' removal in GazaJERUSALEM, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Following are excerpts from a Reuters interview on Tuesday with Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who defended a Gaza offensive, which he said is aimed at ending a Hamas rocket threat to Israel.

These photoes were taken at a demonstration last night, December 30th, to show support for IDF soldiers and residents of Israel's south.

Leader of the opposition Likud Party Binyamin Netanyahu talks about the different attitude towards civilian casualties shown by the Israeli army and Hamas.
(Source: BBC News)

Netanyahu: "If you side with Israel today, you will be sending a message to the world, to the terrorists of the world: 'You cannot do this. We will not tolerate it. We will not be duped.'"
(Source: Reurters)

Ehud Olmert met one-on-one Monday with Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu and Meretz leader Haim Oron and updated them about the progress of Operation Cast Lead (Source: Jerusalem Post).

"I think we have to stop the missile firing that's for sure. But we also have to remove the the future threat of such missiles." (Source: Fox News)

In a special Knesset meeting discussing, in which the operation in Gaza was discussed, head of the opposition, MK Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Hamas regime can be destroyed. Netanyahu said: "We must clarify to Hamas that we will no longer tolerate the rocket shootings on our towns (Source: Nana 10) .

Chairman of the Likud, Netanyahu, criticized the extremist minority, and criticized Israeli Arabs: "The terrorists from Hamas are war criminals that kill civilians, hide behind other civilians and call openly for the destruction of Israel" (Source: Nana10).

Opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu gave his full support to the IDF operation, saying Saturday evening that Israel was united in its intent to return calm to the south (Source: Jerusalem Post).

Official statement made be Netanyahu: "The Likud will support any operation the IDF recommends in order to restore security and calm to the people in the South."

Likud chairman presents immigrants' headquarters to press, promises to push issue of civil marriage, keep Education portfolio away from Shas; says rocket fire on western Negev unacceptable (Source: Ynet News)

Benjamin Netanyahu:  "Israel's continued restraint in response to Hamas is eroding our deterrence and our national pride.The policy of passively absorbing missile fire must stop." (Source: Bloomberg.com)

"It is legitimate, even desirable, to criticize politicians and policies...But it would help to base criticism on facts, and it seems the latest anti-Bibi torrent is anything but factual." (Source: Jerusalem Post)

Translation (from Hebrew) of the Central Elections Committee regarding the Akunis, Even-Tzur petition.

Netanyahu during a tour in the Golan: "We are here to state unequivocally: A Likud-led government will stay on the Golan Heights."(Source: Ynet News)

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Netanyahu: "Israel must react when it is fired upon, must re-establish its force of dissuasion and stop the rockets." (Source: AFP)

Benjamin Netanyahu, joined by Likud elected candidates, visited the city of Sderot today and called for a change of policy.

20/12

Chairman of the opposition, Benjamin Netanyahu met, last Thursday, with the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, in Paris. The meeting was friendly, warm and comprehensive (Source: site publisher).

21/12

Weapons shooting continues without a military response or military authority: The concern is that there is no support for real action, that there will be a heavy economic price, and that an extended strike to the communities could include casualties.

A few hours prior to his trip to France, where he is scheduled to meet with Nicolas Sarkozy, Netanyahu called a special press conference. Netanyahu presented his views regarding the required changes in Israel's diplomatic and security conduct towards the Palestinians and the ongoing rocket attacks on communities in the South.

17/12
Chairman of the Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu said last night that Israel can no longer restrain itself against kassam rocket shootings: "We need to change from a governance of weakness to one of decisiveness", he said. In a speech that was delivered at a ceremony in Tel Aviv, he also criticized the release of prisoners this week as a gesture to Abu Mazen: "these measures do not promote peace, we need to revamp our strategy" Netanyahu explained (Source: Galei Tzahal).

Netanyahu, who enjoys a large lead in the polls, predicted that the crisis hadn't yet bottomed out, but that Israel would able to recover from it "faster than people think." The showdown at the closing session of the annual Israel Business Conference was the first for opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud, Defense Minister Ehud Barak of Labor and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni of Kadima.

MK Gilad Erdan launched a special press conference at the ZOA house in Tel Aviv by presenting the young candidates of the Likud Party and the "Plan of the young representatives in the Likud". "We are making history, this is the young revolution of the Likud", said Erdan who commented that one third of the next Likud party are likely to be young people.

12/12/08

The Likud Party is not waiting for the election results and has already begun to scope out candidates for the position. The candidates appear to be: Edelstein, Kahlon, and Eitan (NRG).

Likud chairman tells EU ambassadors global crisis should be taken advantage of in order to dampen Iran's nuclear plans; adds his government would continue talks with Palestinians Source: YNet News).

In contradiction to the fears expressed by Benjamin Netanyahu and other members in the party, it seems like "The Feiglin effect" is not harming the Likud.. Polls in Haaretz and Yediot daily newspapers show that despite of, or due to, the "Right wing" list the Likud is not losing power. 55% : the new list did not decrease and possibly increased our chance of voting Likud (Source: Nana10 website).

By Dan Williams

TEL AVIV, Dec 8 (Reuters) - The man many tip to be Israel's next leader said on Monday he saw Barack Obama as serious about denying Iran nuclear arms, even though the U.S. president-elect made no mention of a military option in a weekend interview (Source: Reuters).

By Jeffrey Heller

JERUSALEM, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Benjamin Netanyahu could coast to victory in Israel's election two months from now, opinion polls showed on Wednesday, and he plans to take a detour on what Palestinians had hoped would be a U.S.-paved road to statehood.Economic proposals could yield dividends for the former prime minister and head of the right-wing Likud party -- tipped to take up to 36 seats in the 120-member legislature in the Feb. 10 ballot, more than enough to form a ruling coalition (Source: Reuters).

Congressman Robert Wexler, one of Obama's most prominent early supporters in the Jewish community, reports that Obama and Netanyahu have met and have established the beginning of a good relationship.

By Yaron Zelekha

The article explains the macro-economic assumptions relating to the state of the market on which Netanyahu's plan is based. Significantly, it focuses on the growing disparity between supply and demand. Private consumption is influenced by three important factors: current and predicted income, property and instability. What ministers Tzipi Livni and Roni Bar-On don't understand is that the public's pockets have been considerably emptied in the last few months.

Ynet
Published: 12.07.08, 18:54 / Israel News

War and Peace Index shows 31% of Kadima voters believe Netanyahu can promote peace while safeguarding Israel's interests. Most Israelis support establishment of Palestinian state

 Description of Likud's three Anglo candidates, Yechiel Leiter, Tal Brody, and Yossi Fuchs.

"War is not like sport, you have to win, not to participate." Uzi Dayan, Major General (retired) addresses Likud Anglos in Jerusalem on Thursday November 13, 2008 regarding the tasks that lie ahead in dismantling terrorist units and protecting Israeli citizens.

Prime Minister Olmert is prepared to sacrifice the interests of the nation by trading away the Golan Heights in a futile attempt to save himself from criminal indictment for receiving illegal cash gifts, Mk Yuval Steinitz, former Chair and current member of the Knesset Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, told Likud Anglos in Beit Shemesh on May 21, the same day it was revealed that day Israel was conducting secret negotiations with Syria.

MK Gilad Erdan Likud addreses Anglos in Ra'anana on October 30 on Israel's need to maintain sovereignty over Eretz Israel as a strategic asset, and refelcts on the lessons learned from the Second Lebanon War.

The current instability in the Middle East has created a power vacuum in the Middle East that Iran is seeking to fill. However, it surprisingly provides real diplomatic opportunities for Israel to restructure its relations and find common cause with its Arab neighbors who are also threatened by Iran's growing influence, according to Dan Diker, former IBA News analyst and currently Director of the Institute for Contemporary Affairs at Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. He spoke to Likud Anglos in Netanya on May 25, 2008.

The Likud Anglos "Y Group" for young professionals and students toured the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem on April 8, 2008. There they witnessed the dramatic story of Menachem Begin's vision of a Jewish state, his long struggle to reach Palestine including imprisonment in Siberia, his leadership of the underground Irgun fighting for Israel's independence, and his tremendous victory after years in political opposition to become the first Likud prime minister of Israel.

The projection of Iranian power through proxies in the Middle East creates a critical dilemma for Israel, and we must make difficult decisions now to secure our future. This was the message at a special policy briefing sponsored by American Friends of Likud and webcast live from the Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem on March 30 entitled Israel at the Crossroads: Palestinians and Gaza in the Shadow of Iran. Likud Anglos heard Likud MK Yuval Steinitz, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror, and Dan Diker.

By going to Annapolis, the current government ignored one of the first rules of Israeli diplomacy: avoid international conferences at which you be in the minority, and if you must go, make sure that conditions for Israel involvement are set before the conference, according to Zalman Shoval, former Israel ambassador to the United States who spoke to Likud Anglos in Netanya on March 26, 2008.

Likud MK Yuli Edelstein, who in February, 2008 spoke to Likud Anglos in Haifa, recently responded to negative comments about Likud made by U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama. Edelstein responded that "I am glad that there is the general perception that to be pro-Israel is pro Likud. I am glad that the general feeling in the American Jewish community is that the Likud expresses the real patriotic Zionist position."

Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu will not turn over land to terrorists and endanger our security - unlike the current Government leadership. Netanyahu would hold the PA's "feet to the fire" and demand they act to completely stop all acts of terrorism and incitement as a precondition to further discussions.," Yechiel Leiter told Likud Anglos in Jerusalem December 2, 2007.

"We must not repeat the mistakes of the past. The nuclear threat posed by Iran and Ahmadinejad can be compared to the rise of Nazi Germany and Hitler and the armament of the third Reich in the 1930s," MK Yuval Steinitz warned Likud Anglos in Jerusalem in December, 2007. Iran can acquire useable nuclear weapons and long-range missiles in as little as three years, according to Steinitz, which would lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and scuttle any hopes of peace in the region.

Likud Anglos joined and many hundreds of concerned Israelis from every region of the country, to launch the new "Coalition for Jerusalem" November 14, 2007 at Ir David (the City Of David). The unprecedented coalition, organized by Likud MK Yisrael Katz, includes MKs from Likud, as well as from Kadima, Yisrael Beitenu, and Shas, who oppose any negotiations on the borders of Jerusalem.

'There is a wall now between the Israeli people and their government," MK Gideon Sa'ar told Likud Anglos at a briefing in Jerusalem, January 15, 2007. "There's no other democracy in the world where the government has such a dista nt relation to the people. The Knesset is not accountable to the voters and people feel that they have no real influence on decisions." An astounding 78 of the 120 Knesset members are not elected by voters at all, but appointed by party leaders, according to Sa'ar.