[R-G] Israeli racist, fascist superhawk Avigdor Lieberman surging in polls

[Sid Shniad]

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/world/middle_east/article5627585.ece 





  

The Sunday Times                                                                                                February 1, 2009 





  

Israel’s nuclear hawk Avigdor Lieberman in poll surge 





  

Uzi Mahnaimi, Tel Aviv 





  

An ultra-rightwinger, who is said to favour flattening Tehran if Iran develops nuclear weapons, has emerged as the politician gaining the most ground in next week’s general election in Israel. 





  

Avigdor Lieberman, 50, is advancing so rapidly in the polls that his Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) party is set to overtake Labour and become the third largest party in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. 





  

In a recent interview Lieberman said: “I definitely see myself as ready for the post of defence minister.” Although it is unlikely he would be granted access to Israel’s nuclear arsenal, he could be in line for a senior post in a coalition government led by Binyamin Netanyahu, head of the centre-right Likud party and frontrunner in the polls. 





  

Lieberman was born in Russia and emigrated to Israel as a teenager. His party, which strongly opposes the peace process, has a powerful appeal to Russian immigrants despite corruption allegations against members of his circle. 





  

Last week police arrested seven of his associates, including his 26-year-old daughter Michal, during an investigation into suspected money laundering, fraud and breach of trust. 





  

The investigation was dismissed by Lieberman although he was furious after Michal collapsed under interrogation and was taken to hospital. Aides said that after polling day on February 10 he would ensure that the heads of senior police officers rolled. 





  

In private Lieberman is said to have urged that Tehran be levelled if Iran goes ahead with its nuclear weapons programme. In public he told listeners to Israel Radio’s Persian service: “You will pay a high price. You, the good Iranian citizens, will pay for your leaders’ actions.” 





  

He has also denounced Egypt, despite its peace treaty with Israel. He once suggested that in the event of war with Egypt, Israel should destroy the Aswan dam on the Nile and flood the country.