Tag: Israel

R&D from Prepd: Violence in Israel

Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This week’s R&D from Prepd covers recent violence in Israel.  Muslim worshippers and Israeli police clashed a few weeks ago at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, leading to the suspension of the United Arab List in Israel’s governing coalition.  There have been other clashes near holy sites as well, leading to fears of a third intifada, or uprising, by Palestinians.  Recent violence has also spilled beyond Israel’s borders as the country made a military strike on Southern Lebanon after a rocket was fired into Northern Israel four days ago.

R&D from Prepd: The Return of Avigdor Lieberman

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on the return of Avigdor Lieberman to the Israeli government.  Lieberman will serve as defense minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet.  The move is controversial, as Lieberman has a mixed history in supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and leads the secular nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu Party, which draws support from Russian-speaking Israelis.  He has also made polarizing statements in the past concerning the need for loyalty oaths and the treatment of Palestinian refugees.

Topic Brief: 2009 Israeli Elections

Considering all the recent tension in the Middle East, it is no surprise that the recent Israeli parliamentary election was watched closely by governments across the world, especially those keen on the Middle East peace process.  The election was a test for the ruling Kadima Party and its leader Tzipi Livni and was also a referendum on what course of action Israeli citizens preferred to the violence that has come their way from Hamas and Hezbollah in recent years.

The recent Israeli election was started back in September of last year when the Kadima Party, created by former prime minister Ariel Sharon in 2006, decided to replace embattled prime minister Ehud Olmert with foreign minister Tzipi Livni.  Livni was given six weeks to form a new government after Olmert submitted his resignation.  However, Livni was unable to create a governing majority in the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, and on October 26th recommended that early elections be held to establish a new Israeli government.  This kept Olmert in the prime minister post on an interim basis.

This brief will describe the outcome of the Israeli election, what message voters appear to be sending, and what a future Israeli government may look like.

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