The news story:
Israeli President Shimon Peres chose hard-line Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to form a new Israeli government, giving Netanyahu six weeks to cobble together a coalition.
The question now is whether Netanyahu will form a narrow government with his hard-line allies or a broad government along with his centrist rival, Kadima Party leader Tzipi Livni. His choice will have serious ramifications for the Mideast peace process.
Peres made his announcement early Friday afternoon after holding meetings with Netanyahu and Livni. An official ceremony appointing Netanyahu was to be held shortly afterward.
Peres had been meeting political leaders as he decided which candidate would be given the task of forming a new coalition in the aftermath of Israel’s national election last week.
The choice of Netanyahu was cemented on Thursday when Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the hawkish Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) party, endorsed the Likud leader.
Israel girds for war – I wonder if Obama is fully paying attention to this? Israel feels its life is at stake, and isn’t going to patiently wait while Obama has State dinners with the leaders of Iran.
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