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PM says he'd want referendum on peace deal
Associated Press
Published: 03.05.13, 08:59
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1. Livni don't abuse your power
Mabsurfing ,   Nahariya, Israel   (05.03.13)
Livni thinks that because she and all of the MKs were elected they can make all the decisions on Israelis behalf, well lady, you can't be more wrong than that. MKs may be able to make decisions on new laws, taxes that we might agree or not on, but the future along with the Palestinians is something more complicated than that, and for that reason it should be settle on a referendum, we might agree or not with some of the laws and discussions on the Knesset, but giving our land is a whole different issue. Livni, you should get your act right if you want to get elected again as MK, and I hope you are not, you do more wrong than good to this country and I am ashamed of myself for voting for Kadima when Olmert was elected allowing someone like you to have an important place in our government. Bibi might not be the best politician, but is the best we got so far on these difficult times.
2. A referendum is excellent!
Jgad ,   Israel   (05.03.13)
Very very good
3. give arabs voting rights
Alon ,   Haifa   (05.03.13)
Apply sovereignty over Judea & Samaria and give the Arabs there voting rights in Knesset gradually over a ten-year period in a responsible pending their acceptance of our right to the land and on an absolute condition that no activity will be allowed that would be interpreted by us as undermining our claim. The stability that wlll ensue as a result will attract many Jews to make aliyah plus the rens of thousands of Jews from Europe suffering antisemitism.
4. referandum is an absolute necessity
Cipora Julianna Kohn ,   Z   (05.03.13)
it is not possible to expect that the people of Israel be left out of such a life death decision.
5. Yeah, right...
Aviv ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (05.03.13)
"Livni: Difficult decisions should be left to elected leaders" Who the hell does she think she is? Queen of Israel?
6. Livni - dont treat the Israeli public like idiots
jrebecca ,   modiin   (05.03.13)
Israel has one of the world's highest levels of education. She is no brighter or more stupid than the rest of us.
7. Can someone explain?
Misha ,   Tel Aviv   (05.03.13)
I agree with Livni, the decision should be taken by the government, but I also think that a referendum would be a good idea. 1) Why is Livni's position wrong? 2) Why is a referendum a bad idea?
8. Put East Bank to referendum too
(05.03.13)
"Jordanians"can easily go back to Arabia and call it, say, Arabia. Why did they give to East Bank the Jewish name Jordan? kings can move to Monaca. Tables are ready for all kings and princes.
9. to #7
Leon   (05.03.13)
Very simple. In the 90s the peace was bought by a Matsubishi. Now it may cost Audi 6. When you offer a guy Audi 6 if he votes for peace and he knows that will be a referendum, he may ask an even bigger car. Bibi may not have money for a bigger car. Remember money is EVERYTHING.
10. @7 / 6
Reuven ,   Netanya   (05.03.13)
A referendum would be a bad idea, too much emotions involved. She is right, we elected them to make decisions on our behalf, if we dont agree in the end we can always change our vote. When a referendum would be held, the outcome is already known. Majority of the Israelis would vote NO to a peace deal, understandable but for wrong and shortsighted reasons. This deal fits in a long term planning for the state and people, if I look around me than I hardly see people who can think two steps further. So please for the sake of our future, do not organize a referendum! And one more remark regarding our educational system, a big chunk of our kids are not getting proper mathematics and/or classes that stimulates reasoning. Don't give me that bs about nobel prize winners because the majority of them were not Israeli's.
11. No. 7 ... Livni is wrong because leaders sometimes lie
Tova M. ,   Rehovot   (05.03.13)
We cannot trust our elected leaders to always keep their word. Politicians quite often switch their positions after they are elected. Also, because Israel usually has a coalition government, often with smaller parties wielding undue influence, it's not safe to assume that a government actually represents the will of the majority of the citizens. The downside of a referendum, of course, is that a peace deal might not pass. And then, where will we be? The upside is that in order to pass a referendum, any peace deal will have to satisfy Israeli security concerns 100%. That's what it will take.
12. Israelis need saving from themselves
Celina ,   Haifa   (05.03.13)
Why does the current Prime Minister have enough vision and balls to make decisions for the future of the country? Does he have to involve the other 6 million Prime Ministers in the country? No doubt that negotiating a settlement with the Palestinians and Arab states is an almost impossible task - why put a further obstacle in the way? Is this the PM's way of absolving himself from any responsibility?? I thought we had moved on...
13. Livni doesn't understand democracy
MB ,   Tel Alviv, Israel   (05.03.13)
Tzipi Livni, you delusional egocentric *****. You were not elected to decide for the people, you were elected to represent the people and their decisions.
14. to #10 Reuven
(05.03.13)
That how socialist think. You put 5 plan and the economy goes as planned. The problem is that chaos rules the world. That is Why capitalism and free thinking always better. Otherwise the guys like Peres/Beilin will rule according to their plan - this will NEVER work. Long live chaos!
15. Livni versus democracy
Elka ,   Netanya   (05.03.13)
Livni hasn't the foggiest idea what Democracy is. She claims that the MKs were elected to represent the people. Well, if their points of view ACCURATELY represented the people and they voted according to the platforms they were elected on, then there would be no need for concern. But, historically we have seen that once elected politicians seem to do whatever they want to. Hey, if they represented the will of the people we would still have Jewish homes in Gaza, we wouldn't have Jewish refugees from Gaza and the people of Sderot would not be dodging Katushas, There would be no Hamastan on our South Western side. Remember the referendum taken by Likud, remember its' outcome and remember how Likud basically ignored it. We NEED a law that makes the will of the people binding. If Livni thinks we are too stupid to understand this, then she is wrong. AND if the people vote for a way that she doesn't like--TOO BAD for her. AND if the people vote to remain in Judah and Shomron--TOO BAD for her. THAT is democracy, THAT is the will of the people
16. "Israeli" Arabs need to be joined to PALS
IsraelsArab5thColumn ,   Jerusalem Israel   (05.03.13)
Overwhelmingly the Israeli Arab has voted for its extreme anti Israel anti Semitic politicians they are totally as brainwashed as their other brothers and sisters in the Arab world most watch Arab TV stations not Israeli and this includes Arab Israeli Chrisitians whose leaders are sometimes more vicious than their Moslem "brothers" we must disconnect from them it will be complicated but Israel in the end will benefit greatly when they are not in our electoral system many are actively engaged in terrorism despite attempts to play it down once on the "other side" we can engage that problem without fear of being accused of "predudice" towards a minority any meaningful peace agreemente must include separation from "Israeli Arabs" or we will continue to be harrassed and waste billions on deterance which could be much better use.
17. The Trump Card
Adam Neira ,   Paris, France   (05.03.13)
How about a referendum on a reconvened NPT Conference being held in Jerusalem ASAP ? All the citizens of Israel will benefit. Today's News elsewhere... "US upgrades bunker buster to thwart Israel strike on Iran" Hmm, where are we on the timeline... Billions spent on bunker busters and the like. The chess board lined up a certain way. The Iran-West imbroglio creating a stalemate. What I am quite sure of at the moment, is that the cost of a well organised four day reconvened NPT Conference to be held in Jerusalem early next year (May 5th 2014 would be an ideal date. Better late than never nu ?) would be a fraction of the potential payoff. The peace dividend is a real concept. How much is vision, courage and trust building worth to the region ? What will the GDP of the Middle East be if peace unfolds over time ? Will Isaiah's "Swords into ploughshares" prophecy be allowed a chance to take root ? You can quantify arms dealing in material terms quite easily. How about the strategists out there work out the cost-benefit analysis of trust building or are they all too dependent on the present system for their livelihood ? Shabbat Shalom !
18. BEFORE SPEAKING OF A REFERENDUM...
FO ,   Belgium   (05.03.13)
Before speaking about a referendum, I would suggest to Netanyahu, Lapid and Bennett to dig up Jewish-Israeli rights, recognized by International Law, that had been swept under the carpet, so long ago,(when Hitler came to power) by a Marxist oriented Jewish Agency. I would advise these 3 gentlemen to study thoroughly the subject and to inform the general public, before speaking at all about a referendum. And to Netanyahu, remember your late father's and some friends initiative to introduce Article 80 in the Charter of the United Nations. What a brilliant idea it was! So, respect their deed!
19. @14
Reuven ,   Netanya   (05.03.13)
I like your humor
20. The trouble with a referendum is...
Michael ,   Haifa   (05.03.13)
WHO asks WHAT question. Netanyahu and his ilk are quite capable of phrasing the question: Will you agree to cede land to the treacherous Palestinians in return for a scrap of paper from them guaranteeing us peace ?
21. I hope all this sudden talk about "peace/referendum" is
tom ,   tel aviv   (05.03.13)
just like musings about "how would we recieve the Messiah when he comes" ? Just why the heck should WE think of these things?! The whole Arab world has to ponder first the question: "How do we accept the Jews and go on living without having the urge to kill them?" Let them hold referendums first! In the mean time go back to the business of running this country.
22. Nobody has the right to cede any part of Israel.
Chaim ,   Israel   (05.03.13)
Under no circumstances does anyone have the right to cede any part of Israel. This tiny land is ours. There is no sane reason for Israel to negotiate with genocidal P.A. terrorists. Any more than for America to negotiate with Al Quaeda.
23. OSLO AND GAZA WERE SIGNIFICANT WARNINGS
stude ham   (05.03.13)
that no deal for peace with the palis can ever be trusted.
24. This leftist Zionist supports a referendum
Avramele   (05.03.13)
Referendums are usually bad ideas in representative democracies but in this case a day of reckoning and sanity is in order. 50% of Israelis residing in Israel, Arabs and Jews, would hold the balance between national normalcy and suicidal messianism, between perpetual war and focusing on being a light unto the nations. Zionism, the monumental idea of the last 150 years would be put to a test and I believe that if the proposed treaty is a fair and thoughtful compromise, balancing security and justice for both sides, the people will pass the test and the treaty will be ratified.
25. Referendum
David Rubinger ,   Jerusalem Israel   (05.03.13)
No government ever asked me whether to go to war. Heros they want to be all by themselves. But when it comes to difficult and possibly unpopular decisions, then they want me to be a parnter. I you agree to ask me next time whether to go to war or not, I shall support your idea about a referendum on peace and its price. Just don't treat me as an idiot, please.
26. don't open that box of Pandora
Toledano Jean-Pierre ,   Israel   (05.03.13)
In the Knesset a peace deal will be discussed and it's always possible that new coalitions are formed to fight it. It's the parliamentary method in a democracy. Knesset members represent normally their voters and the opinion of them. In (advanced) elections you can later always show your disapproval or rejection by voting against the government. If you start with one referendum, then other referendums will follow for sometimes strange, undemocratic and stupid reasons. Don't open that box of Pandora!
27. referendum a bad idea
Ariks   (05.03.13)
I am all for an open governement where the people have the last say. But it has to be a system similar to the Swiss system where the people have a say in all matters and governement is built up from down to top with a federal system where the smallest possible community has as much sourverantiy as possible. A referendum just for one topic will bite Israel and the Israeli people in the tuches. Imagine the campaign. Those who are against it will be labled as warmongers, there will be foreign interference and if the Israeli people will vote "against peace" there will be serious consequences on the diplomatic arena. It will be ugly. People will be scared to vote their consience.
28. Our enemies have absolutely no
Reuven   (05.03.13)
interest in peace. Livni shouldn't be in charge of anything. Buy hopefully, a referendum will stop the harm sahe will do to us.
29. #24. Leftist retreats create perpetual war.
Chaim ,   Israel   (05.03.13)
The ONLY reason for Israel's last war in Lebanon was because of Israel's idiotic leftist inspired retreat from our South Lebanon Security Zone. Israel still suffers from this retreat with no end in sight. The ONLY reason for Israel's last Gaza war was another idiotic leftist inspired retreat from Gaza. Loony politicians can still be viewed, on video, telling us what great wonders this retreat would bring. Israel still suffers from this retreat, with no end in sight. Idiotic leftist concessions and retreats create perpetual war. They are the root cause of virtually all Israel's probvles.
30. Livni is a disgrace and has no business in government.
Chaim ,   Israel   (05.03.13)
LIvni was strongly rejected by Likud. She was strongly rejected by Kadima, after destroying the party. (The only good thing she ever did for Israel. However, inadvertently). Livni's new pathetic party has virtually no support. She inflicted the idiotic cease fire with Hizbullah which cost Israel victory in Lebanon. She disgraced Israel at Annapolis. Livni is a total disgrace and she has no business being in Israel's government.
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