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Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is likely to become Israel's next prime minister, and the first woman after more than 30 years, following her victory over Shaul Mofaz for the leadership of the Kadima party.
- By Joseph Marques, Chief Sub-Editor
- Published: 23:35 September 25, 2008
Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is likely to become Israel's next prime minister, and the first woman after more than 30 years, following her victory over Shaul Mofaz for the leadership of the Kadima party. In Pakistan, at least 53 people were killed and more than 250 were injured when terrorists used a truck bomb to blast the landmark Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. These were some of the events that made headlines this week. They were contemplated, analysed and commented on. We present here excerpts of editorials from the regional and the international press
Livni's election
Tzipi Livni defeated the former military chief of staff Shaul Mofaz for the Kadima party leadership by 431 votes. The leadership election was held due to the resignation of Ehud Olmert as prime minister. Livni, however, faces an uphill task to cobble together a coalition of like-minded parties.
Lebanon's The Daily Star highlighted the fact that Livni - as a woman and a mother whose young son, some years ago, was terrified of a road blockade - would be in a better position to understand the plight of Palestinian children who are suffering the most due to the Arab-Israeli conflict. It stated that if she could succeed in forming the government, she might end up well positioned to create an opportunity for Israelis, Palestinians and Lebanese to achieve their shared goal of raising their children in happy, healthy environments.
However, it lamented: "Despite the fact that we all understand this basic rule of human dynamics - even though some Israelis and Arabs pretend that they do not - no Israeli prime minister has proven capable of securing a comprehensive peace deal, even though Arab leaders have given them a blueprint in the form of the Arab Peace Initiative. Perhaps Livni might prove herself to be man enough for the job if her actions as premier emanate from her concerns for the wellbeing of children - both hers and ours."
Saudi Arabia's Arab News remarked that Livni's election won't make much of a difference to the peace process. "But assuming she manages to form a Cabinet that survives, what then? The Israeli press calls her 'the Iron Lady' but unlike the better known holder of that title, Margaret Thatcher, there is little at this point, despite her meteoric rise to power, to justify it. She is known to be opposed to Palestinians having the right of return but she also favours withdrawing settlements [colonies] from the West Bank (although not all). It is this latter plus her apparent pragmatism and lack of doctrinaire ideology that has led the Palestinian authorities to think that she is someone they can deal with (but Hamas thinks she will be no different from any other Israeli leader). But none of this suggests determination. So, is she tough because she will force the Israelis to accept compromises that are needed for peace or is her supposed toughness, in fact, going to be directed at the Palestinians?," it asked.
Islamabad bombing
The bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, came as a shock to the authorities, as the explosion took place in a high security zone.
The Telegraph said that the perpetrators of the latest outrage - most likely Al Qaida or the Pakistani Taliban - have thrown down the gauntlet to the democratic, secular polity which emerged from elections last February. At stake is the survival of this Muslim nation as we have known it.
"America was foolish to fan radical feelings by conducting ground operations in the tribal areas. But blaming Washington must not be an excuse for failing to tackle extremism head-on. Pakistan has to save itself," it added.
Pakistan's daily, Dawn, said that in the days ahead, the bombing will take to a fever pitch the debate about whether Pakistan is fighting its own war against terrorism or America's. The debate will miss the point: it is an internal war, and it goes to the heart of what we want Pakistan to be.
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