Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Knesset Watching

The number of political parties in Israel is almost greater than the number of citizens, I observe sarcastically. The last time one party had an absolute majority was in 1969. For major blocs in the Knesset to agree to work together isn't common.

However, Haaretz reports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition chairman MK Shaul Mofaz have decided to form a government of national unity, and cancel plans for a September election.

The Haaretz article does not speculate on whether this alliance has any relationship to a possible Israeli attack in Iranian nuclear sites. To me it suggests a political "clearing the decks" in preparation for warfare. However, a Reuters article does make the point that this move strengthens the government's hand vis-a-vis Iran. Time will tell....