Israel/ Palestine

Netanyahu set to lead Israel despite concern over his foreign policy

Article published on the 2009-03-31 Latest update 2009-03-31 14:50 TU

Israel's Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu attends a ceremony for late Israeli presidents and prime ministers in Jerusalem 26 March 2009.
(Photo: Reuters)

Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, set be sworn in as the country's prime minister on Tuesday, is holding last-minute talks on portfolio distribution in his right-wing government. The new cabinet has sparked international concern with many of its members opposing the creation of a Palestinian state.

The incoming government is set to be one of Israel's largest ever with 30 ministers and up to seven deputy ministers.

Netanyahu, who also served as the country's prime minister from 1996 to 1999, has built a 69-member coalition within the 120-seat legislature, the Knesset.

The coalition leans strongly to the right despite the presence of centre-left Labour, and includes Netanyahu's Likud party, the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu, ultra-Orthodox Shas, and a small pro-settler party.

Peace campaigner and writer Uri Avnery told RFI that Netanyahu's government will make the peace process with Palestine difficult.

"I'm very worried because this is a government that its members have declared they will not talk to Hamas and are against a ceasefire with Hamas," says Avnery, a former Knesset member.

"The main thing is the policital composition, it is a government of the extreme right with an extreme right agenda, with a fig leaf provided by the Labour party. We've never had a government with an outright fascist in the government," he added, speaking from Tel Aviv.

Averny, who himself was once a right-winger, says that despite Netanyahu speaking of peace, the government is determined not to negotiate for a two-state solution.

There are also concerns about Netanyahu's choice for foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, who has been called a racist by many critics.

"Lieberman is the spiritual brother of Jean-Marie Le Pen, probably more extreme than Le Pen," says Averny. "He's a racist through and through."

Last week the EU warned of "consequences" if the new government does not commit to a two-state solution.

On Monday, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas urged leaders at the annual Arab summit in Doha to pressure Israel into accepting a "fair peace".

Israel committed to a Palestinian state under the 2003 international roadmap for peace but Netanyahu's government has already been accused of expanding settlements in the West Bank, which would only increase tension between Israel and Palestine.

Demonstrators are expected to gather at the swearing-in ceremony to protest with banners that read: "A government of settlers is under way."