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Netanyahu Promises He's a Pragmatist

But new Israeli PM may be hamstrung by right-wing coalition

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 21, 2009 12:21 PM CST

(Newser) – Benjamin Netanyahu's reputation is one of a hawkish hard-liner, but he views himself differently. “You and I have a lot in common,” he once told then-candidate Obama. “We are both pragmatists who like to get things done.” It’s telling that Israel’s next prime minister tells the story with such pride, writes Ethan Bronner in the New York Times, because his centrist claims will surely be tested soon. It looks like his governing coalition will be composed entirely of right-wing parties.

With Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak saying they’ll enter opposition, Netanyahu could be left only with hawks who oppose a Palestinian state and want to expand Israel’s West Bank settlements. Netanyahu remains skeptical about the Muslim world, but he’s reluctantly accepted that most of the West Bank will be part of a future Palestinian state. Whether Palestinians—or his own government—will work with him on it, is another question.

Then-presidential contender Barack Obama stands with Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.
Then-presidential contender Barack Obama stands with Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Olivier Fitoussi, Pool)
Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference with Israel's President Shimon Peres, not pictured, at the president's residence in Jerusalem Friday, Feb.20, 2009.
Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference with Israel's President Shimon Peres, not pictured, at the president's residence in Jerusalem Friday, Feb.20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
In this Feb. 11, 2009 file photo, Israel's Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu addresses supporters at the Likud election headquarters at the convention center in Tel Aviv.
In this Feb. 11, 2009 file photo, Israel's Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu addresses supporters at the Likud election headquarters at the convention center in Tel Aviv.   (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
woodyTX
Feb 21, 2009 7:24 PM CST
Netanyahu has a history of instransigence. He's one of the more hawhish politicians Israel has seen in quite some time. I llok forward to seeing his pragmatic and compromising side for the good of both Israel and the Middle East. I'm not holding my breath.

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