THE escalating political developments over the past weeks and the repercussions of the American-made black Arab Spring could be an indicator of a looming regional military confrontation and the features of a second Cold War. However, such a confrontation would not be between Communism and Capitalism but between conflicting economic interests and the grabbing of wealth by force. In the new world order, whose features are not yet clear, the world is facing a series of conflicts, of which the most important and the most dangerous are the Arab – Israeli conflict and the confrontation between Moscow, backed by Beijing, and Washington due to the situation in Syria. Similarly, there is the American – Israeli inability to contain Iran's growing military capabilities. Also, there are fluctuations in the position of Europe with regard to this standoff, which is linked to its interests with Russia. There is also growing outrage among the people of Latin America at US policies as a result of Washington's interference in the internal affairs of these countries in order to serve its interests at the expense of others. This is in addition to the failure of the United States to eliminate real global terror in view of the fact that it needs it because of its involvement in several crimes which serve its own interests. I mentioned this as a prelude to a discussion of Israeli domestic policy following the announcement that Israeli elections will be held on January 22, 2013. The most important change in the Israeli political system in the recent past was Benjamin Netanyahu's approval of the appointment of the aggressive politician Avigdor Lieberman as foreign minister. An expert on crime and aggression, Lieberman is a far cry from politics and diplomacy. Why did Netanyahu endorse this appointment? Was it his desire, even though he knew beforehand that the man was politically unacceptable to all states concerned with the Palestine issue and the Arab-Israeli conflict as a whole, or was it because of the pressure of his party so that he could form his cabinet? Lieberman's aggressive personality is incompatible with diplomatic work. He was totally rejected by the Palestinians and never visited any of the Arab countries that have diplomatic ties with Israel because of their refusal to deal with him. Egypt, for example, openly voiced its apprehension after Lieberman was appointed as foreign minister. Egypt has not forgotten his public threats to destroy the High Dam to drown its people and pull down its government. After becoming foreign minister, he went on with his statements and threats everywhere in the world, not just in those states which are concerned with the Palestinian cause. Hence, the question in advance of the Israeli election is this: Will Lieberman continue as foreign minister and deputy prime minister if Netanyahu wins the election? During a visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, Lieberman slammed Israel's long-time ally Turkey for its anti-Israeli stance. He said: “The recent changes in Turkey's foreign policy concepts were unexpected to us and not entirely clear. We are doing everything we can in order to preserve relations at their previous, very trustful level and to maintain close cooperation in all areas,” and added: “We hope that Turkey from its side will make certain amendments to its foreign policy concept.” It is worth noting that the relations between the two countries worsened after Israel's bloody aggression on Gaza last year, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's sharp criticism of Israel over this issue. The Israeli government faces criticism from within the country as well. Meretz party leader Haim Oron, a deputy of the Israeli parliament (Knesset), openly stated that Lieberman is bad for Israel. While demanding that he step down as foreign minister, Oron said in a press statement: “As long as Lieberman continues as foreign minister, the words of the prime minister about peace will be devoid of any substance.” He described Lieberman as a “minister of war who has turned Israeli diplomacy into an industry of inciting sedition.” Oron also raised an appeal: “Stop the warmonger now!” Addressing Netanyahu, the ruling Labor Party MP Eitan Kabel also made the same appeal with regard to Lieberman. Apart from this, Lieberman is facing a criminal investigation. A Zionist outfit filed a case against him challenging his appointment as foreign minister. The online edition of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that an organization called “Good Governance in Israel” has instituted legal proceedings against Lieberman's appointment as foreign minister in light of the ongoing criminal investigation against him in connection with charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He has also been charged with money laundering and forging data. The Jewish organization emphasized in their petition that appointing Lieberman as foreign minister is contrary to the public interest and that it will adversely affect the public trust in government and that, therefore, he should be removed from the post. As a result we can ask: Who will be ready to have dealings at a diplomatic level with a person who has been rejected on both the domestic and foreign front? But Netanyahu has already said that he wants war and not peace. Therefore, I think that at the moment, Israel does not have a foreign minister who is a statesman in the true sense of the word.
