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Israel Unites

(Washington Post) Charles Krauthammer - Israelis today face the greatest threat to their existence since May '67 - nuclear weapons in the hands of apocalyptic mullahs publicly pledged to Israel's annihilation. The world is again telling Israelis to do nothing as it looks for a way out. But if such a way is not found - as in '67 - Israelis know that they will once again have to defend themselves, by themselves. Such a fateful decision demands a national consensus. By creating the largest coalition in nearly three decades, Netanyahu is establishing the political premise for a preemptive strike, should it come to that. The new government commands an astonishing 94 Knesset seats out of 120. For centrist Kadima (it pulled Israel out of Gaza) to join a Likud-led coalition whose defense minister is a former Labor prime minister (who once offered half of Jerusalem to Yasser Arafat) is the very definition of national unity - and refutes the popular "Israel is divided" meme. Netanyahu, the first Likud prime minister to recognize Palestinian statehood, did not need Kadima for him to enter peace talks. For two years he's been waiting for Mahmoud Abbas to show up at the table. Abbas hasn't. And won't. Nothing will change on that front. Those counseling Israeli submission, resignation or just endless patience can no longer dismiss Israel's tough stance as the work of irredeemable right-wingers. Not with a government now representing 78% of the country.
2012-05-11 00:00:00
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