Bibi's comeback

Middle East | Is the new Israeli prime minister a more seasoned version of his former self? | Jill Nelson

Gali Tibbon/AFP/Getty Images

Sworn in as Israeli Prime Minister for the second time at the end of March, Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is known for his opposition to land-for-peace deals—a key component of U.S.-led negotiations. And his appointment of "ultra-nationalist" Avigdor Lieberman as Israeli Foreign Minister raised more than a few eyebrows: Lieberman last October told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to "go to hell" and campaigned to redraw Israeli borders to exclude Arab citizens.

But Netanyahu's track record and that of his party show movement from right to center, and his right-wing Likud party has made difficult concessions. Already Netanyahu, who previously headed Israel's government in 1996-1999, shows signs of conciliation, promising to work toward Palestinian autonomy (but still avoiding the word statehood). Critics and supporters alike are left to wonder if we are dealing with the old or the new—and perhaps more seasoned—Netanyahu.

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April 25, 2009, Vol. 24, No. 8

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