"Unless You're Dead..."

Posted by Neil Gunn Feb 27, 2009

There was an interesting quote in the Washington Post recently that asked: "Isn't it a flaw in the Israeli electoral system that unless you're dead, you're just recycled as a candidate for Prime Minister? Don't they ever get new candidates?"

It's a valid point reinforced as Mr Netanyahu comes along again: "The revolving door" syndrome said someone else in the same newspaper.

Putting all that aside, Mr Netanyahu, who actually won a seat less than his rival Tzipi Livni of the Kadima Party, is now firmly ensconced in the prime minister's office and dictating policy. Well, as much as possible in a coalition government.

More importantly what can the Palestinians expect from such a hardliner? In Israeli elections, tough talking not compromise wins votes but in the wider world a more pragmatic approach is required.

The future of the Golan Heights, West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem should all be up for debate but it will take a brave Israeli Prime Minister and a determined American President, less influenced by the strong Jewish Lobby, to carve a real and lasting settlement out of the Middle Eastern quagmire.