CMEP Bulletin: Netanyahu in Trouble as Obama Visit Approaches

CMEP Bulletin: Netanyahu in Trouble as Obama Visit Approaches

weekly update from Churches for Middle East Peace

With President Brack Obama expeted in Israel next month, Benjamin Netanyahu is having trouble forming a government to receive him. An unlikely alliance between Yair Lapid of the centerist Yesh Atid party and Naftali Bennett from the right-wing Habayit Hayehudi party has made it almost impossible for the prime minister to form a new coalition. Netanyahu needs 61 votes to start a government and renew his term as prime minister. In the 20 days since President Shimon Peres appointed him to form a government, the only party he has successfully courted is Hatunah, led by Tzipi Livni. With her comes six seats and a lot of baggage to the coalition.

Click here to continute reading this CMEP Bulletin, including the following items:

  • Unlikely tandem causes Bibi headaches
  • Livni joins with negotiations mandate
  • Visiting Israel
  • Red carpet attention on Israeli-Palestinian conflict