Could Netanyahu-Liberman surprise us?
Recent statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman could indicate readiness for a diplomatic move, but could also be misleading and a play for time.
The deadly attack June 8 in the dynamic heart of Tel Aviv immediately turned public attention away from the other burning issue on Israel's agenda: the recent discussions regarding the intentions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and new Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman to jump-start the diplomatic process with the Palestinian Authority. The question is, how serious are these intentions?
Even before examining the political feasibility of such a process — given that the government is extremely right-wing and that Naftali Bennett, chairman of HaBayit HaYehudi (the Jewish Home religious Zionist political party), announced he would quit the government if the diplomatic process was restarted — we cannot ignore the effect of the terror attack at Tel Aviv's Sarona Market shopping center on this agenda.
