The real Bibi

Who told JTA ‘reporter’ Leslie Susser (Israeli election IJN 2/6/09), that Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to suspend his campaign (for Prime Minister) during the recent Gaza war, and conduct interviews with International Television outlets was “[just] a ploy – [and that he was only] playing the statesman”? Did that information come from the Netanyahu campaign itself? Is it possible that Bibi really put Israel’s international public image ahead of his own election? And is it possible, that his being a former Prime Minister means, he actually qualifies as a statesman?
Susser proceeded to accuse Netanyahu of opposing the Gaza cease-fire, for political reasons alone, without examining the legitimate long-term security concerns that Bibi and many Israelis had. She also presented Netanyahu’s willingness to confront Obama as the “Achilles heel” of his candidacy, when it is that very characteristic that has now led him, to be best-positioned, to become Israel’s next Prime Minister.
American Jews (living in Israel) voted 70% against Obama because they feared his propensity to push the Palestinian point-of-view. Apparently, a plurality of Israelis agreed and wanted Right-Wing leadership to protect them from Hamas & Hezbollah, Syria & Iran as well as Osama & Obama. A little ‘divided government’ (Bibi vs. Obama) would be a good thing – particularly so for Israel!