Thread: Shades of the Six-Day War?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition chairman MK Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) reached a surprise agreement early Tuesday morning to form a national unity government.


The move came as the Knesset was preparing to disperse for early elections, which were expected to be scheduled for September 4.

Source: Haaretz

This immediately struck me as reminiscent of the wartime government formed before Israel launched its "pre-emptive" war on Egypt. It seems there has been speculation that Sarkozy's defeat has increased the chances of a unilateral strike by Israel.

Originally Posted by Demon of Light

Source: Haaretz

This immediately struck me as reminiscent of the wartime government formed before Israel launched its "pre-emptive" war on Egypt. It seems there has been speculation that Sarkozy's defeat has increased the chances of a unilateral strike by Israel.

No.
Netanyahu doesn't need unity government to strike Iran, all the talks around early elections were forming because of the upcoming vote of the "Tal law" which is supposed to cancel the relieve from military duty for the orthodox Jews and obligate all citizens to do either military service or civilian community service. Netanyahu's government which majority is leaning on two orthodox parties could have never passed this vote, now with Kadima in the coalition, the orthodox parties will not be able to extort Netanyahu by threatening to leave the coalition and disperse the Knesset.

Originally Posted by Demon of Light

Source: Haaretz

This immediately struck me as reminiscent of the wartime government formed before Israel launched its "pre-emptive" war on Egypt. It seems there has been speculation that Sarkozy's defeat has increased the chances of a unilateral strike by Israel.

I don't agree. Israel does not need a unity government to launch a strike against Iran, if it chooses that path. Despite the sharp differences of view among Israel's political parties, there is overwhelming consensus when it comes to existential issues. If Israel concludes that it has no option but to try to take out Iran's nuclear facilities based on the assessment of its Defense and Intelligence communities, that policy will enjoy strong support, with few but insignificant exceptions. Currently, Israel is still trying to give the international community as much time as possible to resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear activities. However, time is not unlimited and Israel is not likely to completely subordinate existential matters to others. That does not mean that it won't accept a robust deterrence regime, but it won't rule out a military option either.

Did Israel need a unity government before the Six-Day War? No. Of course, avoiding an election for the time being would be necessary if Israel were planning an imminent strike.

Here is a little more:

Environment Minister Gilad Erdan said the accord would help build support for potential action against Iran's atomic program which Israel views as an existential threat.

"An election wouldn't stop Iran's nuclear program. When a decision is taken to attack or not, it is better to have a broad political front, that unites the public," he told Israel Radio.

Source: Orlando Sentinel

Originally Posted by Demon of Light

Did Israel need a unity government before the Six-Day War? No. Of course, avoiding an election for the time being would be necessary if Israel were planning an imminent strike.

Here is a little more:



Source: Orlando Sentinel

And Mufaz is one of the leaders who opposed an attack on Iran saying its Bibi's way to distract public opinion from this governments failures in the social field, crime, health and peace process... The unity coalition isn't making life easy for Netanyahu on a decision whether or not to attack Iran, it was already easy before that, he would have been backed by the opposition any way, it does help him keep his chair for one more year and hop over the obstacles he should face soon - the evacuation of the Ulpana neighborhood in beit el (should have been just before the elections and would have cost him lots of right wing voters) and the Tal law which would have caused either Yisrael Beyteinu or the Orthodox parties to leave the coalition and disperse the Knesset.

It looks to have been for a multitude of reasons

"Netanyahu said the new coalition would focus on four areas: ending controversial draft exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox males; reforming the volatile political system; protecting the economy; and promoting a "responsible" peace process with the Palestinians"

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu unveils new government - Middle East - World - The Independent

Paul

Originally Posted by gunner

It looks to have been for a multitude of reasons

"Netanyahu said the new coalition would focus on four areas: ending controversial draft exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox males; reforming the volatile political system; protecting the economy; and promoting a "responsible" peace process with the Palestinians"

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu unveils new government - Middle East - World - The Independent

Paul

Paul, the coalition is meant to keep Kadima in the political scene for a little more time, all the polls show Kadima is about to lose ~15 seats (they have 28 seats today) and put the labor party 2nd largest after the Likud. Netanyahu on the other hand won't have to evacuate a settlement in a middle of an elections campaign as supreme court ruled he has to do it by July 1st.

If there will be a reform in the "equal burden" issue and the change of political system than this will be a good thing, but with 3 pathological lairs leading the country, I doubt it. The only change in the political system I see Bibi promote is making him a monarch, hell he has 90+ KMs in the coalition now, he is as close as anyone can get to do so. In 96 I remember the Likud supporters singing "Bibi king of Israel" paraphrasing the song "David king of Israel", who knows...

Anyways, after hijacking 28 mandates from their voters, Kadima is doomed and will probably cease to exist after next elections

I just remembered what happened last week. Remember this?:

Six army battalions called up under emergency orders to meet growing threat on Egypt, Syria borders | The Times of Israel

So, a week after authorizing an emergency mobilization, Israel is suddenly forming a national unity government.

Originally Posted by Demon of Light

I just remembered what happened last week. Remember this?:

Six army battalions called up under emergency orders to meet growing threat on Egypt, Syria borders | The Times of Israel

So, a week after authorizing an emergency mobilization, Israel is suddenly forming a national unity government.

Sure? An emergency mobilization of a thousand troops. Must be for an all out assault on Egypt, Syria and Jordan, just like the 6 day war...

Maybe soon they can start digging the thousands of graves to be ready for the mass casualties that were expected when Egypt launched its "war of annihilation" - oh, sorry - as subtrefuge to pretend that they actually were concerned about being attacked while they plotted world domination.

The Six Day war was hardly unprovoked.