Ultranationalist Will Be Israel's Foreign Minister

Bill would force non-Jews to pledge loyalty to Jewish state

(NEWSER) - Israel’s Arab minority is decrying a new law that would force new citizens who are not Jewish to pledge a loyalty oath to the “Jewish and democratic” state. Critics say the bill is yet another move intended to stifle dissent and marginalize the country’s Arabs, who already feel like second-class citizens, the AP reports. The bill's defenders, who include Benjamin Netanyahu, say Israel must preserve its Jewish identity. More»

He's pressuring Netanyahu to move toward Tzipi Livni

(NEWSER) - President Obama is keeping intense pressure on Israel not because he wants to destroy relations but because he wants to boost the political prospects of centrist Tzipi Livni, writes Jeffrey Goldberg. Obama would love to force out current prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (the president doesn't think he's "very bright"), but short of that he wants to make Netanyahu boot far-right members of his coalition. It's the only path to peace. More»

Move could boost peace talks with Palestinians

(AP) - The Israeli prime minister has asked moderate opposition leader Tzipi Livni to join his government—a move that could boost efforts to restart negotiations with the Palestinians if she accepts, or rip apart her rival party if she refuses. The offer, made late yesterday after a cabinet meeting, came amid reports that Benjamin Netanyahu was trying to persuade lawmakers from Livni's Kadima party to bolt to his Likud. On Friday, one lawmaker announced she would join Likud if Livni rejected the offer. More»

(NEWSER) - Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to endorse a two-state solution to the Palestinian problem this weekend, the Times of London reports. The decision follows intense pressure from the Obama administration to recognize the need for a Palestinian state. The US also wants Israel to stop expanding settlements in the West Bank, but Netanyahu may use the two-state concession as a bargaining chip in that negotiation. More»

(AP) - In a White House meeting today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is ready to resume peace talks with the Palestinians immediately, but any agreement is contingent on their acceptance of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. Netanyahu and President Obama met for more than two hours and focused on Mideast peace talks, Iran's nuclear program, and the US-Israeli relationship. More»