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Netanyahu's coalition stable but paralyzed

With personal aspirations and sectorial interests keeping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition together, no socioeconomic or diplomatic reform is on the horizon.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint news conference with French President Francois Hollande (not pictured) at his residence in Jerusalem November 17, 2013. President Hollande assured Israel on Sunday that France would continue to oppose an easing of economic sanctions against Iran until it was convinced Tehran had ended a pursuit of nuclear weapons. REUTERS/Alain Jocard/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX15HKI
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The opening moments of the weekly meetings held by Knesset factions every Monday at noon are usually devoted to well-publicized statements by the parties’ leaders. It is an ideal platform for sending messages to the public, setting the political arena on fire, and attracting the spotlight with some statement that will become a headline. It is a weekly meeting with the media that allows the various party leaders to feel the pulse of the political system at large. 

There were no surprises waiting for political reporters on Monday, Nov. 18. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman by his side, sent another warm embrace from the Likud–Yisrael Beiteinu faction meeting to French President Francois Hollande, who would later address the Knesset. Once again, Netanyahu made it clear that the agreement emerging between the international community and Iran is bad and that Israel is not beholden to it.

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