Israel News Net

Everyone’s saying that this time might be the time, if only Netanyahu sticks to his guns. Sure he says he wants peace, and Mr. Barak, a coalition ally who acts as a foreign  minister, is helping the process along, but it’s a matter of how dedicated Mr. Abbas and he actually are.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egypt’s President Mubarak endorsed the conference at the White House last night, in hopes that regional support of the talks will continue. Both serve important roles: the former for securing Palestine’s eastern borders, reassurance which Israel needs, and the latter for more historical value, referencing the first Arab-Israeli treaty in 1979.

Mr. Abbas has said he will walk out if Israeli construction continues in the West Bank, after the 10-month moratorium ends on Sept. 26. Other issues include the possible sharing of the Old City of Jerusalem, a dismantling of the West End settlements to form  more concentrated settlements near the old border; and an outline of the border with the new Palestinian state.

Avigdor Lieberman, the actual foreign minister, is against most of this compromise, and promises to withdraw his party, Yisrael Beitenu, from the government if Mr. Netanyahu cedes too much. Mr. Barak, leader of the center left Kadima Party wouldn’t mind if that happened – he’s said that “Peace is more important than the composition of the government.”

Born in Moldova, and immigrating to Israel in the early 70’s, Mr. Lieberman is a right wing figure who is Israel’s Foreign Minister. He founded the Yisrael Beitenu party which came in third in the 2009 elections. He is controversial for advocating a required oath of loyalty to the state. Those who decline the acceptance of the Jewish colors, anthem, and military service would also refuse suffrage. This notion is in response to the growing number of Arabs living in Israel.

Although he has supported the death sentence for Arab leaders who meet with Hamas and Hezbollah, and is often aligned with the far right, he favors a two state solution between Israel and Palestine. A trade of Arab populated Israeli regions for near-Jewish areas in the West Bank would reduce the number of Arab denizens, which currently number more than a million of the 7 millions Israelis.

Mr. Lieberman has often been pursued by Israeli police, most recently for his business dealings in 2008. While counts of breach of trust, bribery, and fraud have been pressed against him, he welcomes the attacks, due to the publicity he receives from the media. As a result, many align with his views, and support his ideas.