a Bibi under indictment is becoming even more savage


Please begone, Bibi!  And kiss my grits for aiding and abetting him, Donald Trump!

First: ‘Netanyahoo, Indicted For Bribery, Fraud And Breach Of Trust, Becomes More Dangerous’, b at moonoflabama.com, Nov. 21, 2019
“Israel had two parliament elections this year which both ended in a political stalemate. Neither Prime Minister Netanyahoo of the Likud Party nor Blue and White coalition leader Benny Gantz managed to form a government. Both were unable to find enough additional votes to form a coalition and to gain a majority.

Now the parliament has 21 days to find a majority. It will likely fail and a third election seems inevitable.

It is curious that Israel’s Attorney General used this point in time to finally charge Netanyahoo:

Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit announced Thursday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be charged with bribery, fraud and breach in three corruption cases, dubbed Cases 4000, 2000 and 1000.”

He then explains that the charges have been simmering for some time now, and that he believes the timing seems political.

He also posits that Bibi will come under intense pressure to resign, and believes that it’s his personality that’s blocked him from forming a new government, which requires an alliance of the magical number of 61  Members of the Knesset.  He also adds that if he’s removed from office over the next 21 days, the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) might be abe to form a government and avoid an election.

“But Netanyahoo will fight tooth and nail to gain and keep immunity. He will try to delegitimize the judicative and he will use any available trick to stay in office.

That makes him even more dangerous than he usually is.

He might even decide to do something, like starting a big war, to prevent his removal from power.

Lebanon, Syria and Iran must watch out.”

Presciently enough: ‘Gideon Sa’ar: If I were Netanyahu, I would resign; Internal Likud Party struggles come amid increasing tension between the prime minister and his and allies against primary challenger Gideon Sa’ar, NOV. 26, 2019, jpost.com

“The fight for leadership of the Likud Party heated up Tuesday morning, as various party members have begun accusing main primary challenger Gideon Sa’ar of  going against the interests of the party amid the legal woes of its leader Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the threat of a third election.

The internal fight within the party grew more tense following comments and interviews given by Sa’ar, in which he said that Netanyahu he should be held accountable, “not because of the indictment, but because of his inability to form a government and his reluctance to follow the democratic process.”

Two days earlier, this: ‘Netanyahu agrees to hold Likud leadership primary in next six weeks; As MK Nir Barkat pledges loyalty to PM and feuds publicly with challenger Gideon Sa’ar, premier refuses to answer whether he will seek immunity from prosecution, by TOI staff,  24 November 2019

“Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit’s bombshell Thursday announcement of charges against the prime minister sent shockwaves through the Likud party, and helped drive the first serious leadership challenge to Netanyahu since late party leader Ariel Sharon left in 2005 to form the Kadima party, leaving Netanyahu at the helm.

It marked the first time in Israel’s history that a serving prime minister faces criminal charges, casting a heavy shadow over Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, and his ongoing attempts to remain in power.

Netanyahu sought to sound upbeat on a tour of the northern border on Sunday, insisting the legal turmoil had not hindered his ability to govern.” [snip]

“Following reports that Mandelblit was set to issue a formal legal opinion on whether Netanyahu, while facing indictment, could even be tasked with forming a coalition, Channel 12 on Sunday said the attorney general did not plan to do so immediately.

Responding to media queries, sources close to Mandelblit said he would only offer an opinion on the question if Netanyahu were to obtain the support of a majority of MKs to form a government before the December 11 deadline, and otherwise “has no intention of dealing with hypothetical questions.”

And this?  Oy and veh; you called it, bernhard!  ‘Attorney general blasts ‘threats, lies, slander’ against judiciary over PM cases; As Likud supporters gather at Tel Aviv rally, Avichai Mandelblit issues rebuke of Netanyahu, who has accused law enforcement of staging an ‘attempted coup’,  26 November 2019, timesofisrael.com

Now Finian Cunningham is more explicit in hisBibi’s Get-out-of-Jail Card… War With Iran’, Nov. 24, 2019, strategic culture.org

“It seems more than coincidence that as the legal noose tightens around Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu, Israeli military have suddenly stepped up air strikes on Iranian forces based in Syria.

If Netanyahu is ousted from office he will be immediately subjected to trial. A subsequent conviction on all charges could result in him facing up to 13 years in jail. A lot is at stake for Israel’s elder statesmen. Therefore the longer he can hang on as premier, the longer he can postpone his day in court, as the leadership position affords a certain immunity while in office.” [snip]

“That means the temptation will be ever-stronger for the hot-headed commando-turned-politician to rile up security tensions with Iran and Syria, as well as neighboring Palestinians. Netanyahu has always drummed up votes by presenting himself as the great defender of Israelis.

Over the past week…Israeli forces under his command launched deadly air strikes against Iranian targets in Syria. Reports indicated that around 23 people were killed, most of whom were Iranian military belonging to the elite Quds Force. Though Syrian media claimed that most of the attacks were intercepted. Whether Iranian personnel were killed or not, the Israeli intention is to provoke Tehran.”

Notably, Israeli military usually do not confirm or deny when they carry out air strikes on Syria or neighboring countries. This week, however, Israeli leaders including Netanyahu were bragging about the strikes.” [snip]

“The Israelis claim they were responding to rockets fired from the Golan Heights. But it seems those rockets were provoked by earlier Israeli strikes on Syria just days before.

There is more than a suspicion that Israel was orchestrating the pretext for a flare up in violence. The purpose being to allow Netanyahu to dust off his war medals and flex his muscles for the electorate.

“Over the past month, Israeli forces have also escalated air strikes on Gaza with dozens of civilians being killed, including families and children. Netanyahu has been cynically winding up fears among Israelis of rocket attacks from Palestinian militants in the besieged Gaza strip. But in ginning up tensions with Iran in such a provocative way by targeting its elite Quds Force in Syria, Netanyahu is playing with fire.” [snip]

“Again, Trump seems to be aiding and abetting Netanyahu’s agenda of inciting national security tensions with Iran in order to hand Netanyahu a get-out-of-jail card.”

And right on cue:  ‘House resolution supports Israel’s right to defend itself;

“We must stand with our historic ally, Israel – the key democracy in the region,” Congressman Josh Gottheimer said in a statement, Nov. 25, 2019, jpost.com “WASHINGTON – Following the recent rocket attack by Palestinian Islamic Jihad two weeks ago, when terrorists from Gaza fired hundreds of rockets into Israel, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced House Resolution 727 on Friday, condemning terrorist rocket attacks on Israel and supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.

Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ 5th District) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY 1st District) spearheaded the resolution.

“When heinous terrorist groups like Palestinian Islamic Jihad fire hundreds of rockets at innocent civilians in Israel, there should be no question who the United States stands with,” Gottheimer said in a statement.’, yada, yada.

‘Amnesty International Toes US Gov’t Line in Urging Unrest in Iran; the US gov’t has long attempted to foment popular uprisings and hijack or manipulate protests in Iran, now rights groups like Amnesty International, seem to be parroting the tactic’, by Alan Macleod, Nov. 25, 2019, mintpressnews.com

“The U.S. government has lent its full support to anti-government protesters in Iran. “The United States is with you,” announced Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Vice President Mike Pence was similarly emphatic.

Widespread, peaceful protests originally flared up on November 15, after an unexpected overnight tripling of fuel prices. However, these were soon overtaken by more militant, violent confrontations with security forces. Over a dozen gas stations and more than 70 banks are reported to have been destroyed. The proceeds from the price hike were reportedly intended to subsidize low-income Iranians, although the reasons for the increase were not explained, leading to a public outcry.

Amnesty International reports that at least 115 protestors have been killed in the violence, and puts the blame squarely on Iranian security forces, suggesting the final death toll may be “much higher.” The Iranian government rejects these figures, claiming only a handful of people have died, including at least four members of government security forces at the hands of rioters. Inside the country, the Internet was shut down for over a week, adding to the confusion.”

‘Palestinians clash with IDF during ‘day of rage’ over US settlement change; Thousands attend rallies across West Bank protesting shift in longstanding American policy, death of cancer-stricken Fatah fighter in Israeli jail; 77 said lightly hurt’, Nov. 26, 2019, timesofisrael.com

“Thousands of Palestinians demonstrated across the West Bank on Tuesday to protest the recent US announcement that it no longer believes Israeli settlements in the West Bank violate international law. As the so-called “day of rage” continued, groups of protesters clashed with Israeli security forces in several flashpoints, with 77 reported lightly injured.

“The biased American policy toward Israel, and the American support of the Israeli settlements and the Israeli occupation, leaves us with only one option: To go back to resistance,” Mahmoud Aloul, an official with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah movement, told the crowd in Ramallah.

Organized by Fatah, Tuesday’s protests focused on the Trump administration’s announcement on Israeli settlements last week. The decision upended four decades of American policy and embraced the Israeli government’s longtime view that settlements are legal, a move the Palestinians view as coming at the expense of their quest for statehood.”

Breaking News: ‘Iran Detains 8 People Linked to CIA in Connection With Protests in Country – Report’, sputniknews.com

“At least 8 people with alleged links to the CIA were detained by Iranian authorities amid the ongoing protests in the Middle Eastern country.

“These elements had received CIA-funded training in various countries under the cover of becoming citizen-journalists,” the Iranian Intelligence Ministry was quoted as saying by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). “Six were arrested while attending the riots and carrying out (CIA) orders and two while trying to … send information abroad.”

(cross-posted from Café Babylon)

Share
up
0 users have voted.

Comments

wendy davis's picture

'on a tour of the northern border on Sunday' in 'Netanyahu sought to sound upbeat on a tour of the northern border on Sunday, insisting the legal turmoil had not hindered his ability to govern.'...was that i'd meant to bring this as well, and just found it again on bibi's infuriating Twit account (the government version, not this):

In north, Netanyahu says Tehran planning more attacks; PM says Israel ‘taking all the necessary steps to prevent Iran from establishing itself in the area’, By TOI staff 24 November 2019

“On a visit to the northern border on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was planning new attacks in the region, but insisted Israel was working to disrupt them.
Netanyahu cited US Central Command chief Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, who told the New York Times earlier this week that Iran was unlikely to have been deterred by increased US troop deployments in the Middle East, and remained on track to carry out a large-scale attack in the region.

“Iran’s belligerence in the region — including against us — continues,” he said. “We are taking all the necessary steps to prevent Iran from establishing itself here in the area.

“That includes the necessary activity to prevent the delivery of lethal weapons from Iran to Syria, whether by air or over land.”

The prime minister added that Israel would counter reported Iranian efforts to turn Yemen and Iraq into bases for launching rockets and missiles into Israel.
...........................
“Our commitment to fight Iran’s aggression is absolute,” he said.

#WhatAParanoidSchmuck

but if your otherwise sunny disposition is able to stand some truly urp-worthy time, spend a bit of it the Mafiosa 'head Diplomat' mike pompeo on Twitter.

up
0 users have voted.
earthling1's picture

Cuba sending 2 million undercover commandos to infiltrate Israel cities and pose as voters backed up by 3 million Venezuelans to strip pharmacies of medicines.
Unknown hostile entity has 6 quadrillion locusts poised to destroy crops nationwide.
Future of holy land in doubt.
RE-ELECT BIBI NOW!
Sheesh

up
0 users have voted.

Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

wendy davis's picture

@earthling1

thank you for the brilliant 'breaking news' satire. you Rawk, but srsly, the cubano doctors are a big part of the overall hasbara afloat. SANCTIONS: because: VZ and the new gummit in Bolivia!

so many venues/locations for our attention to swivel, no? thanks, i needed the laugh today,
eathling1.

up
0 users have voted.
snoopydawg's picture

because he says Iran is doing stuff there. Think democrats are going to flip out over Bibi's controlling Trump? But I also read that Trump is doing it so Vlad and Russia can redraw the Middle East borders. No matter what Trump does it's because Putin is making him do it. I know that it's actually Israel that futzes with our government and has been doing it for a very long time, but the ones who have gone down the Russia Gate rabbit hole only see Russia everywhere. I literally shake my head when I see grown people believing that.

up
0 users have voted.

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

wendy davis's picture

@snoopydawg

Trump has increased exponentially are with Bibi and the Clown Prince of KSA of the Glowing Orb.

but sure, withholding military aid: because Hezbollah!

this is anti-war.com's nov. 22 coverage: 'Trump Administration Withholding Military Aid to Lebanon' US Lawmakers at Odds Over Aid, Hezbollah Accuses US of Meddling', Dave DeCamp

"Saad Hariri, the former Prime Minister, announced his resignation on October 29th. Just two days after Hariri’s resignation the US State Department told Congress the aid was going to be withheld.
..........................................
Christians United for Israel, the largest pro-Israel Evangelical group, is also pushing for a change in the US policy towards aid to Lebanon. In a policy brief earlier this year, the group wrote, “Instead of being used to aid the LAF in reinforcing its borders and safeguarding its sovereignty as envisioned by the State Department, US aid is being used to arm the very terrorist organization that threatens Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

The Trump administration could be leveraging the aid while Lebanon forms its new government in hopes it will decrease Hezbollah’s influence. Critics of the move say it will increase the influence of Iran, Syria, and Russia.
...................................
Hezbollah is considered a terrorist group by the US, even though they are a legitimate part of Lebanon’s government."

Iran is the new Russia...on certain days of the week.

And here's a holiday gift from the Leader of the Free World Chief of the US Empire and lackey puppets:

dayum; the blizzard here is featuring gale force winds making our hogan shiver...gawd's teeth...

thank you, miz dawg. 'redraw the ME borders'? that sounds a lot like a marcy wheeler-ism.

up
0 users have voted.
snoopydawg's picture

@wendy davis

Marcy finally had enough of me calling her a liar and blocked me. I think my last tweet to her was, "seriously Marcy you can't be this stupid?" It was on something that made no sense whatsoever.

We're getting slammed with snow too but the guy across the street did come and do my drive. Then we went for a walk in the snow. So beautiful.

up
0 users have voted.

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

wendy davis's picture

@snoopydawg

i charge her with treason! how unAmurrikan! glad you could walk in the snow, and your neighbor plowed you out. mr. wd came home from work (outdoors) chilled to the bone and said 'the driveway can plow itself'.

srly, some is blowing away, but drifting, too, of course. at least our son was wise enough not to drive the 400 or whatever miles down here for thanksgiving/unThanksgiving/day of mourning. the sounds from the wind are wilder than keening...

guess i'll go chuck a bit o' wood on the fire; no solar gain today. ; )

come on, now; didn't you like the poison eye candy?

up
0 users have voted.
ppnortney's picture

@wendy davis

come on, now; didn't you like the poison eye candy?

someone will eventually post shirtless Putin and Trump side by side, bro style.

up
0 users have voted.

The smaller the mind the greater the conceit. --Aesop

wendy davis's picture

@ppnortney

RT.com wondered the same thing, lol. here it is, albeit a bit long in the tooth.

i have one in my media files: putin breast-stroking thru the dardanelles straits...

the Magic Man! capable of...?

up
0 users have voted.
wendy davis's picture

@ppnortney

where i'd heard this jest about naked pictures of the Trumpeter, and just remembered this morning. woot! i slept until 5:56!

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5-lJoeg4-Q]

up
0 users have voted.
wendy davis's picture

i've been musing about the cubano docs who'd helped the venezuelans out, and for their help had been sanctioned. so tonight's closing song will be by the cubano band Buena Vista Social Club. i've long forgotten where i'd first met them, but...small matter, no?

good night, dream of a better world in which amerika doesn't hold such supremacy of place. it won't last, but in the struggles for a multi-polar world...this is what eve have.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGbRZ73NvlY]

up
0 users have voted.
wendy davis's picture

but enraging that all of this barbarity is accelerating, given global condemnation just last week:

UN Security Council strongly condemns Trump's support for Israeli settlements, presstv, nov. 21:

"The European Union, Russia, China and other members of the UN Security Council on Wednesday strongly opposed the US announcement that it no longer considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank to be a violation of international law.

Nickolay Mladenov, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, opened the Security Council meeting, expressing “regret” at the US action and reiterating the UN position that settlements under a December 2016 council resolution “are a flagrant violation under international law.”

Indonesian Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, whose country has the world’s largest Muslim population, called the US announcement “irresponsible and provocative,” saying it “incontrovertibly constitutes a de facto annexation and is a barrier to peace efforts based on the two-state solution.”

Following the Security Council meeting, ambassadors from the 10 non-permanent council members who serve two-year terms stood before reporters while Deputy German Ambassador Jurgen Shultz read a critical joint statement.

“Israeli settlement activities are illegal, erode the viability of the two-state solution and undermine the prospect for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace” as affirmed by the 2016 council resolution, the statement said.

It also called on Israel to end all settlement activity and expressed concern at calls for possible annexation of areas in the West Bank.

related story: Netanyahu approves Jordan valley annexation bill
................................................
Before the meeting, British Ambassador to the UN Karen Pierce had told reporters that "all settlement activity is illegal under international law and it erodes the viability of the two-state solution and the prospects for a lasting peace."

She was speaking on behalf of Germany, France, Poland, Belgium and Britain, the EU's current Security Council members."

up
0 users have voted.