Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 06/13 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 11. – 31. März 2013 1. Israels neue Regierung Nach sechswöchigen Koalitionsverhandlungen ist am 18. März die 33. israelische Regierung vereidigt worden. Sie besteht aus dem Wahlsieger Likud­Yisrael Beitenu, Yesh Atid unter der Führung Yair Lapids, Naftali Bennets nationalreligiösem HaBayit HaYehudi sowie Tzipi Livnis zentrumsnaher HaTnuah. Benjamin Netanyahu übt neben dem Amt des Premierministers auch das des Außenministers aus – und hält das Ministerium damit frei für Avigdor Lieberman, Vorsitzender von Yisrael Beitenu, gegen den zurzeit ein Gerichtsverfahren läuft. Im neuen Kabinett gibt es 22 Ministerposten, deutlich weniger als die 34 der letzen Regierung. Eine verkleinerte Regierung war eine der zentralen Forderungen von Yesh Atid im Wahlkampf und in den Koalitionsver­handlungen. Lapid und Bennet, nun Finanz- und Wirschaftsminister, hatten außerdem die Integration von Ultra-Orthodoxen in den Arbeitsmarkt und in die Armee auf ihre Agenda gesetzt. Zunächst gibt es jedoch ein dringlicheres Thema: Innerhalb von vier Monaten müssen ein Haushalt verabschiedet und ein Haushaltsloch von 40 Millionen Shekel(ca. 8 Millionen Euro) gestopft werden. Voice of reason returns "Something important has happened in Israel, and for the first time in many years it seems that the voice of reason has returned to politics. There are plenty of examples: The education minister is a man of education, the social affairs minister is a resident of the periphery, the finance minister is the person who promised to make things easier for the middle class which bears the tax burden, the interior minis­ter is a secular man of our generation who is aware of civil rights, the minister of economy knows a thing or two about a free market,[…] and the justice min­ister – as well as the transportation minister and culture and sports minister – are very familiar with the ministries they already served in previously.[…] Right now we can all look at the new government with gratification – even if reserved – and say to ourselves: Indeed, the glass is only half full, but we have definitely managed to close quite a few of the holes." Merav Betito, JED 19.03.13 A small, right-wing government "The coalition agreements[…] promise constitution­al and social reforms[…]. But as much as the new Netanyahu government might long for change domestically, its foreign policy is a concern. The right wing will enjoy a clear majori­ty in the cabinet and in the ministries in charge of planning and construction in the West Bank; de­fense, housing, interior and economy have been given over to the settlers and their political allies. This portends a concerted effort to expand the set­tlements and deepen the creeping annexation of the West Bank. Such policies will thwart the two-state solution, worsen Israel’s international isolation and perpetuate the conflict. Lip service on'renewing talks' will not conceal the harmful facts on the ground. The extreme right has become significantly stronger in the third Netanyahu government." HAA 15.03.13 Editorial The new government, full half of the cup "No doubt the strengthening of the settlers is one of numerous changes in the political reality following the recent elections, but there are many other changes – many of them positive.[…] We have Tzipi Livni, leader of Hatnua, as justice minister and chairwoman of the ministerial commit­tee on legislation. For all those who worry about the status of the rule of law, this is certainly good news. […] In the economic sphere,[…] i t is certainly good news that the prime minister, finance minister and economics and trade minister are of a single mind 1