Archiv: grand coalitions / unity governments


16.04.2024 - 20:01 [ Counterpunch ]

Germany, Gaza and the World Court: Broadening the Scope of Genocide

Germany has been most prominent in this regard. In 2023 30% of Israel’s military equipment purchases totalling US$326 million came from Berlin. The Scholz government has also been a firm public supporter of Israel’s offensive. “There is only one place for Germany at this time, and that is by Israel’s side,” proclaimed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to German lawmakers on October 12 last year. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock curtly stated that “It was not the job of politicians to tell the guns to shut up.

Baerbock’s remarks were all the more jarring given the 2006 views of Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was then serving as Germany’s foreign minister. With puffed up confidence, he claimed then that Europeans and Germans had played a seminal role in ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon in “silencing of the guns.”

13.03.2024 - 18:49 [ Times pf Israel ]

‘Very senior’ Israeli official accuses US government of seeking to oust Netanyahu

Opening its main nightly news broadcast, Channel 12 said that the statement came from “the most senior Israeli political source you can imagine,” indicating this was Netanyahu himself, and added that the US report had left the prime minister “fuming.”

13.03.2024 - 18:39 [ StratNewsGlobal.com ]

Netanyahu’s Leadership In Jeopardy Warns US Intel Report

CNN quoting a US intelligence report, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s viability as a leader is “in jeopardy”.

“Distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections,” the report said. “A different, more moderate government is a possibility.”

06.03.2024 - 16:59 [ CNN ]

Biden officials deliver a tough message on Gaza to Netanyahu’s chief political foe

Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, as the US seeks to ratchet up pressure on the Netanyahu government to allow more aid into Gaza. Those calls have gone largely unheeded as the humanitarian crisis deepens and ceasefire talks have yet to reach a breakthrough.

05.03.2024 - 02:42 [ USA Today ]

US rift with Netanyahu grows as top officials meet with his rival: Updates

The Biden administration‘s rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became even more acute Sunday, when Vice President Kamala Harris called for a cease-fire in Gaza the day before a controversial meeting with a top Israeli official and longtime Netanyahu rival.

Israeli Cabinet minister Benny Gantz traveled to Washington without the endorsement of Netanyahu, who instructed the Israeli Embassy in the U.S. to withhold assistance in arranging his meetings, Israel Hayom reported.

05.03.2024 - 02:30 [ PBS.org ]

U.S. visit by Netanyahu’s rival Gantz signals wider cracks in Israel’s wartime leadership

An official from Netanyahu’s far-right Likud party said Gantz’s trip was planned without authorization from the Israeli leader. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Netanyahu had a “tough talk” with Gantz and told him the country has “just one prime minister.”

05.03.2024 - 02:11 [ Associated Press ]

Harris will meet with Israeli Cabinet official who is in Washington despite Netanyahu’s rebuke

Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday is hosting a member of Israel’s wartime Cabinet who is visiting Washington in defiance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Benny Gantz, a centrist political rival of Netanyahu, is sitting down with several senior Biden administration officials this week, including Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken,

02.03.2024 - 22:41 [ Middle East Eye ]

Netanyahu ‚does not approve‘ of Gantz trip to Washington

„The prime minister made it clear to Gantz last night that he does not approve of his trip to Washington. Any official trip abroad by a minister that is not private but rather in an official capacity requires approval from the prime minister,“ the senior figure was quoted as saying.

A statement from Gantz confirmed that he would meet with Harris, as well as with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Republican and Democratic members of US Congress.

23.01.2024 - 04:44 [ Times of Israel ]

No-confidence motion against Netanyahu fails in Knesset, with only 18 votes in favor

With the government’s popularity plummeting, a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nevertheless garnered only 18 votes in the Knesset on Monday evening, falling far short of the necessary majority to pass in the 120-strong Knesset plenum.

The vote was boycotted by the coalition, whose heads stated earlier in the day that they would “not take part in political theater during wartime.”

13.10.2023 - 15:22 [ Times of Israel ]

„There was no air force, no soldiers, we were alone,“ says Hamas massacre survivor

Speaking to this reporter, many share the same feelings: utter astonishment that such an attack could be carried out by Israel’s enemies; a shattered sense of personal security; and intense anger at the government.

12.10.2023 - 14:49 [ Blake Allen / Twitter ]

Obviously we won’t know until more details come out but since the unity government is with Benny Gantz and not Yair Lapid that means that Ben Gvir and Smotrich will remain in government. That’s horrible for a host of reasons

12.10.2023 - 14:45 [ Louis Weijl / Twitter ]

It‘s not clear to me who is and isn‘t in it. Not Lapid (yet), Liberman, nor Michaeli, but Ben Gvir and Smuthrich? What kind of ‚unity‘ is that? We are used to Gantz immediately taking action. As soon as he can move up a step, he forgets principles and agreements.

12.10.2023 - 14:29 [ Prime Minister of Israel / Twitter ]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at a joint statement with Defense Minister Yoav Galant and National Unity Chairman MK Benny Gantz: „Citizens of Israel, this evening we have formed a national emergency government. The people are united and today its leadership is also united.

(11.10.2023)

07.10.2023 - 20:39 [ Benny Johnson / Twitter ]

BREAKING: Israeli Opposition Leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz are calling for the formation of a unity government to manage the war after meeting with PM Benjamin Netanyahu

(today)

07.10.2023 - 20:34 [ Haaretz ]

Israeli Opposition Lawmaker Gantz Briefed on Saudi Deal With U.S. National Sec. Advisor in White House

(05.10.2023)

The Biden administration hopes Israeli opposition parties will consider joining the coalition in place of its far-right members in case the latter opposes any concessions towards the Palestinians as part of a potential Saudi agreement

05.10.2023 - 14:30 [ chitowngringa #Boycott Bibi-BenGvir / Twitter ]

A unity government destroys Gantz and Lapid, especially Gantz politically, and will allow Bibi to remain in charge until his death followed by a Likud puppet. It means that there will be NO democracy in Israel in the future, which is what you don‘t seem to understand.

Plus on a personal level, it appears humiliating and degrading for anyone to be forced to „kneel“ and serve as Bibi‘s powerless slave ministers. Gantz wants to be PM, not spend what remains of his political career pouring Miss Piggy‘s pink champagne for her.

05.10.2023 - 12:50 [ Barak Ravid, Political reporter for Axios covering foreign policy & the 2024 election. Washington correspondent for Walla. Author of Trump's Peace. / Twitter ]

Scoop: Former Israeli minister of defense Benny Gantz is on a low profile visit to Washington & met today at the White House with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, two U.S. sources told me. His visit comes amid White House efforts to reach a mega deal with Saudi Arabia

05.10.2023 - 12:35 [ Haaretz ]

Israeli Opposition Lawmaker Gantz Briefed on Saudi Deal With U.S. National Sec. Advisor in White House

The Biden administration hopes Israeli opposition parties will consider joining the coalition in place of its far-right members in case the latter opposes any concessions towards the Palestinians as part of a potential Saudi agreement

12.09.2023 - 21:36 [ Times of Israel ]

US said to hold undisclosed talks with Gantz, Bennett over Saudi normalization

Lapid told the Americans he was vehemently opposed to allowing Saudi Arabia to carry out any nuclear enrichment on its soil.

The report said Gantz and Bennett were believed to have also highlighted the dangers of a regional nuclear race if the Saudis had their own program.

11.08.2023 - 19:42 [ Washington Post ]

We don’t need nuclear cruise missiles at sea

(August 9, 2023)

This month, as House and Senate conferees begin to iron out differences between the two chambers on a nearly $900 billion Pentagon spending bill for next fiscal year, both the House and Senate armed services committees want to place a new generation of nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles (known as SLCM-Ns) back on Navy vessels. That would be a mistake.

31.07.2023 - 07:36 [ Haaretz ]

Post-judicial Coup Talk of a Unity Government Is Foolish, Netanyahu Isn‘t Even Interested

Attempting to imagine an escape route which also includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s acquittal of criminal charges, is a result of the painful realization that the hawkish factions on both sides – even though one can‘t compare the governmental sadism led by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and the most rigid and militant anti-overhaul protesters – ignore the will of the majority and charge onward, almost with lust, to the very dangerous disagreement known as a constitutional crisis.

This hope, however, whether you want to surrender to it or to resist it in disgust, is in no way realistic. For now. According to knowledgeable sources, Netanyahu is simply not interested: not in stopping the judicial overhaul nor in a unity government.

29.07.2023 - 22:46 [ Times of Israel ]

Likud denies any ‘rebellion’ in its ranks over judicial overhaul

Netanyahu has since said he will seek to build consensus before approving further changes to the judicial system, but also pledged the coalition will move forward alone if no deal is reached.

“There is no rebellion in Likud. We all want to reach agreements and need to make the maximum effort to do so, but we will not give the other side a veto,” the ruling party said in a statement.

29.07.2023 - 08:31 [ i24news.tv ]

Israel‘s DM Gallant wants unity government without far-right parties – report

According to the report by Ynet, Gallant intends to work toward such a coalition with the National Unity party headed by Gantz, and Yesh Atid headed by Lapid, even if it meant that he would have to resign from his ministerial post.

This potential switch would primarily be made to replace the far-right Religious Zionism headed by Bezalel Smotrich and Jewish Power headed by Itamar Ben-Gvir, in order to halt movements toward extremism, and return to a national conesus.

23.07.2023 - 12:25 [ Times of Israel ]

‘Unity march’ draws large crowd, with only handful of overhaul supporters

A “unity march” held by both opponents and supporters of the judicial overhaul is ongoing in Jerusalem, and on its way from the Western Wall to the Knesset by way of the Israel Museum.

16.04.2023 - 10:52 [ Haaretz ]

Tens of Thousands Flock to Protests Across Israel to Oppose Netanyahu’s Judicial Overhaul

Negotiating teams will meet next week at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem to begin dialogue over the laws of the proposed judicial overhaul. This will be the first time the sides will discuss the details of the laws submitted to the Knesset, with previous meetings having focused on technical issues.

Several speakers at the protests called on opposition leaders to halt the negotiations, among them former IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, who addressed the central demonstration in Tel Aviv.

02.03.2023 - 11:41 [ CNN ]

Biden administration approves potential sale of missiles for F-16s to Taiwan

(today)

The official noted Taiwan will use its own funds for the purchase. (…)

A news release from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Wednesday said the defense contractors for the munitions and equipment will be Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

02.03.2023 - 11:38 [ New York Times ]

Lawmakers Return From Taiwan Clamoring to Speed Up Weapons Deliveries

(22.02.2023)

Mr. Gallagher was one of five House lawmakers who traveled to Taiwan during the congressional recess, meeting with top political, national security and business leaders to discuss how to enhance security and economic cooperation between Taipei and Washington.

02.03.2023 - 11:37 [ theHill.com ]

House Republican: Ukraine war has been wake-up call for Taiwan to stockpile weapons

(22.02.2023)

Gallagher, a former Marine Corps intelligence officer and chairman of the House select committee on China, also said it is urgent for the U.S. to send weapons to Taiwan in an effort to prevent China from invading the country and the possibility of a third World War from happening.

07.02.2023 - 06:33 [ Jeremy Corbyn / Nitter ]

Today is the biggest day of strike action in the history of the NHS. My question to those in positions of leadership: what side of history do you want to be on?

(06.02.2023)

07.02.2023 - 05:16 [ Independent.co.uk ]

Don’t cut the army, says Labour as it positions itself as the party of security

The government needs to rearm the British military to keep Ukraine supplied and to ensure the country is the lead European state in Nato, Labour’s defence spokesman will say in a keynote speech.

Positioning Labour as the party of security for Britain, John Healey will call for a halt to cuts in the Army and a strategic pact with European partners to face challenges in an increasingly dangerous world.

01.12.2022 - 20:50 [ IndependentSocialistGroup.org ]

Protest Strikebreaker-In-Chief Biden in Boston!

Join Railroad Workers United (RWU), the Independent Socialist Group (ISG), and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) at a protest outside of Biden’s upcoming appearance in Boston. If you are in an organization that would like to endorse this event and is interested in speaking in support of railroad workers, contact:

Nick Wurst, RWU & ISG: 508-335-8633

Paul Bamberger, DSA: 518-860-9378

Day & Time: Friday 12/2 Picket starting 11:30am, Rally starting 12pm. Estimated end time 1:30pm.

Location: Biden will be visiting JFK Library at University Dr N, Boston, MA 02125 for an event. The picket and rally will be held at the corner of University Drive North and Colombia Point, on the parking lot side.

01.12.2022 - 19:59 [ theHill.com ]

Schumer pledges to keep senators in Washington until rail deal is done

“The Senate cannot leave until we get the job done, and Democrats will keep working with Republicans to find a path forward that everyone can support,” he announced on the Senate floor.

The Democratic leader began the so-called Rule 14 process on Wednesday evening to put a House-passed bill to avert the rail strike on the Senate calendar.

01.12.2022 - 19:40 [ White House ]

Statement from President Joe Biden on House Action to Avert Rail Shutdown

(30.11.2022)

This overwhelming bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives makes clear that Democrats and Republicans agree that a rail shutdown would be devastating to our economy and families across the country. The Senate must now act urgently. Without the certainty of a final vote to avoid a shutdown this week, railroads will begin to halt the movement of critical materials like chemicals to clean our drinking water as soon as this weekend.

31.07.2022 - 06:38 [ Haaretz ]

Gantz Is Expecting Lapid to Bow Out Gracefully Once Again

Gantz is expecting Lapid to be the silver platter on which his government will rest. He’s expecting Lapid to bow out gracefully a fourth time.

First, Lapid gave up on leading Kahol Lavan (back when it was a joint ticket). Then he gave up on a rotation as prime minister should it win. Then he let Naftali Bennett be the first prime minister in the outgoing rotation government. As far as Gantz and his supporters are concerned, that’s Lapid’s purpose – to be an indefatigable capitulator, the person who provides springboards and makes governments for others.

16.05.2022 - 19:06 [ Radio Sweden ]

PM: Seeking NATO membership is historic shift for Sweden

With general elections just a few months away, the government could change between now and when the process is complete. Ulf Kristersson, leader of the conservative Moderates, said, „NATO is above party politics.“

08.12.2021 - 18:34 [ BBC ]

Germany‘s Olaf Scholz takes over from Merkel as chancellor

Mr Scholz is already a known and trusted face in Berlin and Brussels. He marketed himself to voters as sort of Merkel Mark Two, despite hailing from a different political party.

But it‘s not all about continuity, and friends and trade partners of this rich and powerful nation will be watching closely.

25.09.2021 - 09:02 [ DailyMail.co.uk ]

Auf Wiedersehen to Angela Merkel – the colossus of Europe… who bounced Britain to Brexit. As her indomitable 15-year reign ends tomorrow, what‘s next for Germany, asks DOMINIC SANDBROOK

Well-sealed windows. No other country can make such well-sealed and nice windows.’ That was Angela Merkel’s answer when, more than a decade ago, a journalist asked her what she most associated with her native land.

24.09.2021 - 04:40 [ Wahlrecht.de ]

Sonntagsfrage Bundestagswahl

Wenn am nächsten Sonntag Bundestagswahl wäre …

24.09.2021 - 04:31 [ New York Times ]

Olaf Scholz Is Running as the Next Angela Merkel, and It Seems to Be Working

(09.09.2021)

Mr. Scholz, a Social Democrat who is modeling himself as the candidate of continuity, has a fair shot at being Germany’s next chancellor.

24.09.2021 - 04:14 [ CNN ]

Germany‘s election will decide what life after Merkel looks like. Here‘s what you need to know

Germans will file into polling stations to vote in an unpredictable federal election on Sunday — but for the first time in nearly two decades, their longtime leader won‘t be in contention.

10.09.2021 - 13:31 [ Bloomberg ]

How a Scholz-Led Government Could Transform Germany and Europe

Social Democrat Olaf Scholz is the favorite to become Germany’s next chancellor, but he’ll need a messy three-party coalition to form a government, according to the polls.

The path to power for the SPD and its preferred partner the Green Party is complicated. It would probably involve either a more centrist alliance with the business-friendly Free Democrats, or a shift in the opposite direction in a tie-up with the anti-capitalist Left party.

28.04.2021 - 17:14 [ Haaretz ]

Bennett, Abbas Meet to Discuss Next Steps for Forming a Government

Meeting at the Knesset, the two leaders said the meeting „went well.“

A number of parties that form the the ‚anti-Netanyahu‘ bloc, Yesh Atid, Yamina and Tikva Hadasha, have been discussing coalition plans with „positive energy“ in recent weeks.

26.03.2021 - 12:00 [ DailyMail.co.uk ]

Covid laws are extended until SEPTEMBER: Boris sees off Tory rebellion as MPs vote 484 to 76 to KEEP draconian measures in place – despite deaths falling 33% in a week and hospitalisations plummeting

– Boris Johnson and the Government today won a crunch vote on extending coronavirus powers to September
– But the PM suffered a considerable Tory rebellion as 35 of his MPs voted against and a further 20 abstained
– Emergency powers will now be kept in place to September despite lockdown being due to end on June 21
– Rebels questioned need for ‚significant draconian powers‘ after life is supposed to be back to normal

17.01.2021 - 17:45 [ DailyMail.co.uk ]

Labour surges to a four point lead over Boris Johnson and the Conservatives – Sir Keir Starmer‘s biggest polling margin since the 2019 general election

A new Opinium survey puts Labour on 41 per cent and the Conservatives on 37 per cent, providing a significant boost to Sir Keir Starmer‘s leadership.

The poll suggests the Tories are suffering because some 22 per cent of 2019 Conservative voters now say they are undecided about who to vote for.

06.01.2021 - 13:30 [ BBC ]

Coronavirus: MPs back in Parliament for England lockdown vote

However, with Labour saying it will support the measures, the law enforcing them is likely to be approved.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is updating the Commons now, telling MPs – many of whom are participating remotely – that says the vaccine programme provides a „means of escape“ from the current lockdown, with 1.3 million people in UK already vaccinated.

02.12.2020 - 15:28 [ DailyMail.co.uk ]

Wounded Boris Johnson lashes out at ‚General Indecision‘ Keir Starmer for abstaining in crunch tiers vote that saw 55-strong Tory revolt – as MPs warn things will get WORSE for PM unless he makes good on hints curbs will be eased in two weeks

The new tiers system for England came into force at midnight after the Commons approved it by 291 to 78 – but the healthy majority masked a disaster for Mr Johnson as a swathe of his own MPs abandoned him.

Scores of Tories joined the biggest uprising of this Parliament despite Mr Johnson personally waiting in the division lobbies and urging them to stick with the government, and he only secured victory because Sir Keir stopped short of opposing the measures.

02.08.2020 - 16:20 [ Al Jazeera ]

Israel‘s Netanyahu rails against protesters asking him to resign

Hundreds of people remained in the area well after midnight, ignoring calls by police to leave.

Anti-riot forces moved into the area and began clearing out people. As of early Sunday morning, most of the remaining protesters appeared to be leaving peacefully, but police were seen dragging some activists away.

28.06.2020 - 08:43 [ Irish Times ]

Who is in the new Cabinet? Members in profile

A new Taoiseach was elected on Saturday and a range of new Ministers were appointed. Here’s all you need to know about them:

18.06.2020 - 11:45 [ Haaretz ]

Will Germany Be Bombing Afghanistan With Israeli Drones?

Israel’s drone deals with Germany began in 2009, when it first leased drones to the German army for use in Afghanistan. Seven years later there was a similar transaction, this time to operate the drones in Mali.

11.05.2020 - 21:38 [ ec.europa.eu ]

GLOBAL VACCINATION SUMMIT: PANEL MEMBER BIOGRAPHIES ROUNDTABLE 1: „In Vaccines we trust: Stepping up action to increase vaccine confidence”

(12.09.2019)

JASON HIRSCH, Public Policy Manager,

Jason Hirsch joined Facebook’s Public Policy team in October 2018, where he focuses on development of policies to help guide Facebook’s approach to content distribution and moderation. Within that role, Mr. Hirsch heads up Facebook’s Health Integrity Policy efforts, including leading the development of Facebook’s multi-faceted approach to combatting misinformation about vaccinations.