Ehud Olmert won't wait? • Implications for Israel

The re-election of U.S. President Barack Obama managed to stir the political system in Israel, right and left.

At the Prime Minister's Office, where they believed almost to the last moment in Mitt Romney's victory, who has a special relationship with the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, were shocked. A few hours after learning the results they came out with a message to the media, but obviously it did not include really what was in the heart of Netanyahu, who will meet during the day with the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro.

It is no secret that Netanyahu's relationship with Obama was totally cool, and not just because of the picture of Obama speaking with Netanyahu on the phone with his feet ... on the table, a sign of disrespect. On the one hand, regarding the security of Israel, there was never a better period than the last four years. Regarding military assistance, Obama excelled in an unusual way. However, the level of personal relations between the two heads of countries the situation was at its lowest.

The Left is celebrating of course, and now expect the declaration by former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, on his return to the political arena. Olmert is expected to announce that in the coming days and may do so already tomorrow. With him, it seems, the former chairman of Kadima, Tzipi Livni, will return as well.

From here to the response messages which several figures in Israeli politics gave out.

The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama on his victory. Netanyahu: "The strategic alliance between Israel and the United States is stronger than ever. I will continue to work with President Obama to ensure vital interests for the safety of the citizens of Israel." At lunch time, Netanyahu will meet with US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro.

President Shimon Peres sent a telegram of congratulations to the elected President. "On behalf of the people of Israel and myself I wish to express to the President-elect Barack Obama, heartfelt congratulations on his election to a second term as president. This is a victory for American democracy. Israel and America share common values and principles, these relationships are historical and can not be appealed. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his commitment and support for Israel's security during his first term. I am confident that the United States under his leadership will continue to do so in the future, primarily dealing with the Iranian nuclear program along the lines proposed as well as working together to achieve peace with our neighbors. "

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman: "I congratulate the U.S. President Barack Obama, on his election for a second term. Together with President Obama will continue to promote and preserve the great friendship between the two countries and peoples, based on common values and we will continue to work with the U.S. to strengthen the State of Israel and to maintaining its vital strategic interests. "

Minister Ariel Atias, chairman of Shas information headquarters, responded by saying that "Shas congratulates the re-elected U.S. President Barack Obama on his victory. The struggle in these elections will be about the economic policy to citizens and President Obama's victory this time shows that the weaker levels require that the government will not neglect them. We pray for the wellbeing of the state and President Obama's support of Israel in face of the challenges and threats facing us. "

Defense Minister Ehud Barak also congratulated Obama "for winning the elections." He added that "I have no doubt that the Obama administration will continue the policy rooted in support for Israel's security and its struggle to cope with the challenges posed by the region to all of us, while striving for progress in the peace process. I believe that by the tradition of deep friendship and the background of common experience gained with President Obama it will be possible to overcome differences in attitudes in case there will be".

"Strengthen the relationship"

Former Chairman of Kadima and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, wrote on her Facebook: "Congratulations to President Obama who re-thrilled America. The United States entrusted Obama with its future and this has a meaning for us too. Israel's security is based on the strategic relationship between Israel and the United States which are built on trust between leaders, which is lacking today. Soul searching and deep correction is required. "

Current Chairman of Kadima, Shaul Mofaz: "I want to congratulate President-elect Barack Obama on his victory. The common challenges facing the United States and Israel are enormous and the level of cooperation required is enormous. Israel is greater than any prime minister and I am convinced that President Obama and the American people will continue to stand at its side as a true friend and partner to shared values and goals.

"The U.S. is a true friend of Israel and there is a need to improve relations and strengthen cooperation."

MK Shlomo Molla from Kadima responded by saying that "The Prime Minister harmed Israel with his arrogant and incomprehensible intervention on behalf of the victory of Mitt Romney. In terms of results, we will find too late that he harmed the strategic relationship between the two countries. As the saying goes, Netanyahu ate the fish and was expelled from the city. In these elections, America faced questions which the Republicans chose to ignore such as the attitude to minorities, strong versus weak and the ratio of capital owners. Reminds us of something? It is clear that the U.S. election results will affect Israel and I hope that the Right will do homework here as well .It would be very worthwhile for the Prime Minister to ask forgiveness of Barack Obama and will do with himself some penetrating and serious soul-searching."

MK Yohanan Plesner, also of Kadima, said, "We got up this morning to a new-old American president. Apparently we have a lot to learn from American democracy - millions of citizens show interest and genuine involvement in the political process, a fundamental debate is conducted on the issues on the agenda and Bruce Springsteen accompanies all this as only they know only in America. "

"Sane and just society"

Shelly Yachimovich congratulated the president-elect and said she "identifies with the values he stands for: equality, fair economics and the state's responsibility to its citizens, and to ourselves I wish a continued special relationship between Israel and America, true friendship and alliance. This strategic partnership is crucial to Israel, which is proving itself over and over again. Good luck to Obama. "

Yitzhak Buzi Hertzog, said: "Congratulations to Obama! Now when Obama was elected it is obvious Netanyahu has a problem and it can not be covered up. While America as a power operates on the basis of interests rather than on personal desires and passions but there will not be an intimate and close relationship between Obama and Netanyahu which can be essential at the crucial moments. The government was outraged at Netanyahu in recent months. The Israeli public has to internalize and understand it well. "

Even Eitan Cabel of the Labor party reacted by saying that "Citizens of the United States chose tonight the just and sane way. However, Netanyahu and his gambling betted on the wrong horse and brought the U.S. - Israel relations to an unprecedented low. Today we understand that four more years with Netanyahu mean four years of disintegration with the most important ally of Israel. In these times we do not have the privilege to forego the economic, political and military backing which the United States gives us."

MK Carmel Shama - HaCohen, Chairman of the Economic Committee, also responded: "Congratulations to President Obama. The covenant and shared values to the U.S. and Israel are stronger than those sitting on the chair in the Oval Office in Washington and the chair on Balfour Street in Jerusalem.

He added that "It is embarrassing to hear the leftist leaders threaten Israel with revenge by Obama, it is just another horror scenario which will shatter in their faces, President Obama was and will remain good for the Jews and for Israel."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!