In an interview published Friday, Netanyahu hinted Israel may have to strike Iran even without U.S. support to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon.

The comments indicate Netanyahu is not backing down from his thinly-veiled criticism of the Obama administration, despite a phone call from the U.S. president this week that was meant to smooth over their differences.

In the interview in Israel Hayom, a daily that is a staunch backer of the premier, Netanyahu says he has heard those "who say we should wait until the last minute."

Then, he asks: "But what if the U.S. doesn't act?"

Iran denies it is seeking a nuclear bomb.

Continue Reading...

The ultra-Orthodox Shas Party is expected to hold the swing vote when Cabinet ministers decide on a U.S. proposal to resume Mideast peace talks. The two Shas ministers participating in the decision are waiting for instructions from the party's spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

"All decisions go through the rabbi," said Roi Lachmanovitch, a spokesman for the Shas interior minister.

The drama has once again turned the enigmatic rabbi, who has managed to offend Arabs, secular Jews, Holocaust survivors, women and gays with fiery comments over the years, into the familiar role of kingmaker. Politicians from outside his party, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are now lobbying for his support.

Officials in Netanyahu's office said Wednesday that his 15-member Security Cabinet -- a group of senior government ministers -- remains closely divided, with the outcome of the vote hinging on the two Shas members. Amid the uncertainty, Israeli officials said a planned vote for Wednesday had been put on hold.

Continue Reading...