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Analysis: Israel's unwieldy government Analysis: Israel's unwieldy government
(about 18 hours later)
Mr Netanyahu's cabinet is the biggest in Israel's political history By Paul Wood Middle East correspondentMr Netanyahu's cabinet is the biggest in Israel's political history By Paul Wood Middle East correspondent
Some political analysts have been known to call Israel's electoral system the worst-designed in the democratic world.Some political analysts have been known to call Israel's electoral system the worst-designed in the democratic world.
It took Benjamin Netanyahu a marathon seven weeks of negotiating to stitch together his governing coalition.It took Benjamin Netanyahu a marathon seven weeks of negotiating to stitch together his governing coalition.
It was no surprise that he looked a little weary at the podium in the Knesset, or parliament, last night.It was no surprise that he looked a little weary at the podium in the Knesset, or parliament, last night.
Profile: Benjamin Netanyahu COALITION MEMBERS Likud: 27 seats, 15 ministersYisrael Beiteinu 15 : 5 ministersLabour: 13 seats, 5 ministersShas: 11 seats, 4 ministersJewish Home: 3 seats, 1 ministerUnited Torah Judaism: 5 seats Profile: Benjamin Netanyahu
The last two weeks of that effort was concerned with bringing the Labour party into the government.The last two weeks of that effort was concerned with bringing the Labour party into the government.
Mr Netanyahu knew that an administration perceived as narrowly right-wing would cause Israel problems internationally.Mr Netanyahu knew that an administration perceived as narrowly right-wing would cause Israel problems internationally.
The result has been one of the biggest governments in Israel's history. They even had to bring carpenters into the Knesset to enlarge the cabinet meeting table.The result has been one of the biggest governments in Israel's history. They even had to bring carpenters into the Knesset to enlarge the cabinet meeting table.
Not everyone is happy, including members of his own Likud party who have seen their own ministerial ambitions shunted aside.Not everyone is happy, including members of his own Likud party who have seen their own ministerial ambitions shunted aside.
Last-minute meetings were held through the early hours of the previous night so Mr Netanyahu could assuage his colleagues' bruised feelings.Last-minute meetings were held through the early hours of the previous night so Mr Netanyahu could assuage his colleagues' bruised feelings.
As he announced the long, long list of his new ministers to the Knesset, he was heckled by those who think the government is just too big.As he announced the long, long list of his new ministers to the Knesset, he was heckled by those who think the government is just too big.
Opposition MKs ironically called out, "seven, eight, nine... " each time Mr Netanyahu added a new minister to the list.Opposition MKs ironically called out, "seven, eight, nine... " each time Mr Netanyahu added a new minister to the list.
"Oh, they know how to count," he fired back."Oh, they know how to count," he fired back.
'Go to hell''Go to hell'
Mr Netanyahu's big tent now encompasses Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the hard-line Yisrael Beitainu party, and Israel's new foreign minister.Mr Netanyahu's big tent now encompasses Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the hard-line Yisrael Beitainu party, and Israel's new foreign minister.
Already there have been unhelpful rumblings in Egypt, one of only two Arab countries with which Israel has managed to make peace.Already there have been unhelpful rumblings in Egypt, one of only two Arab countries with which Israel has managed to make peace.
Mr Lieberman's offence was to tell the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, to "go to hell" last year.Mr Lieberman's offence was to tell the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, to "go to hell" last year.
Mr Lieberman's appointment as foreign minister has rankled Arab statesMr Lieberman's appointment as foreign minister has rankled Arab states
Mr Lieberman has toned down the rhetoric since the election. Mr Netanyahu, too, was on a charm offensive in the Knesset.Mr Lieberman has toned down the rhetoric since the election. Mr Netanyahu, too, was on a charm offensive in the Knesset.
He promised that Middle East peace negotiations would continue.He promised that Middle East peace negotiations would continue.
Of course, it will not have passed unnoticed that he failed to say that such a peace would be based on the two-state solution.Of course, it will not have passed unnoticed that he failed to say that such a peace would be based on the two-state solution.
Mr Netanyahu opposes a sovereign Palestinian state, arguing that the West Bank could become a launch pad for rockets which would threaten Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion airport.Mr Netanyahu opposes a sovereign Palestinian state, arguing that the West Bank could become a launch pad for rockets which would threaten Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion airport.
This opposition to the two-state solution potentially puts him on a collision course with Washington and the rest of the international community.This opposition to the two-state solution potentially puts him on a collision course with Washington and the rest of the international community.
Testing timesTesting times
Perhaps the most significant part of the incoming prime minister's speech was his oblique reference to Iran's supposed ambitions to obtain nuclear weapons.Perhaps the most significant part of the incoming prime minister's speech was his oblique reference to Iran's supposed ambitions to obtain nuclear weapons.
In an apparent reference to Tehran, Mr Netanyahu said the biggest threat to Israel and the world came from "the possibility of a radical regime armed with nuclear weapons".In an apparent reference to Tehran, Mr Netanyahu said the biggest threat to Israel and the world came from "the possibility of a radical regime armed with nuclear weapons".
Israeli military intelligence assesses that Iran is close to getting the bomb. Mr Netanyahu feels strongly that this cannot be allowed to happen.Israeli military intelligence assesses that Iran is close to getting the bomb. Mr Netanyahu feels strongly that this cannot be allowed to happen.
Iran, meanwhile, says its nuclear technology is being developed purely for peaceful purposes.Iran, meanwhile, says its nuclear technology is being developed purely for peaceful purposes.
So, although Mr Netanyahu was careful to say to the Knesset that Israel's existence was not in jeopardy, he believes these will be testing times for the country.So, although Mr Netanyahu was careful to say to the Knesset that Israel's existence was not in jeopardy, he believes these will be testing times for the country.
In these circumstances, he wanted a government of national unity. He didn't get it, but did achieve something close.In these circumstances, he wanted a government of national unity. He didn't get it, but did achieve something close.
Now the challenge - thanks to Israel's electoral system - will be keeping it together.Now the challenge - thanks to Israel's electoral system - will be keeping it together.