MidnightWatcher – Prophecy in Motion

By Catrina Stewart – “Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, has cancelled snap elections and formed a national unity government with the largest opposition party in a dramatic deal that would give the hawkish premier a commanding mandate should he choose to strike against Iran.

The surprise deal with Shaul Mofaz, leader of the centrist Kadima party, comes two days after Mr Netanyahu called early elections for September, and puts the Prime Minister at the helm of one of the largest and broadest governments in Israel’s history, with a 94-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset.

Mr Netanyahu, who had headed a narrow right-wing coalition dominated by his Likud party, said the deal would stabilise the current government. Emerging rifts with his ultra-nationalist and religious partners had prompted his call for early polls.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr Mofaz, he said: ‘I was ready to go to elections. But when I learned that a very broad government can be established… I realised stability can be restored. That is why I have decided to form a broad national unity government.’ Mr Mofaz approached the premier a few days ago with the proposal during a condolence visit after the death of Mr Netanyahu’s father. Apart from insiders within Likud and Kadima, details of the unity talks were kept secret until the deal was struck early yesterday, taking politicians by surprise.” Read more.

Washington: Netanyahu is here to stay, so is Israel’s military option on Iran – “The unity government backed by a majority of 94 (out of 120) which Binyamin Netanyahu formed Tuesday May 8, is not just the broadest coalition ever to govern Israel, but also the first with three former chiefs of staff at the helm. Two are also present (Ehud Barak) and former (Shaul Mofaz) defense ministers. It was this feature which drew the most attention in Washington as the first reports of Netanyahu’s stunning U-turn away from an early election filtered through. ‘He has pulled off another term in office without standing for election,’ said one senior administration source, ‘and he’s done it seven months before Barack Obama faces the American voter.'” Read more.