Tishreen, the Syrian Ba'ath party newspaper, devoted its editorial piece this Saturday to the newly elected head of Israel's ruling Kadima party, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. The paper called Livni "Israel's new bird" (her name, Tzipora, means "bird" – ed.) and explained to its readers: "The beauty of the Mossad, Tzipi Livni, has become the most serious contender for [the post of] Prime Minister of Israel."
The praise continues: "The ambitious Livni has become the new 'Iron Lady' who will make decisions of war and peace that will determine the region's future… Livni has all of the abilities that make it possible for her to accept this high office. These are the abilities that all of Israel's prime ministers have possessed, from Ben Gurion to Ehud Olmert."
The bird's wings
Tishreen's editor gives a short summary of Livni's career and says that during her tenure in the Mossad
"Livni has become the new 'Iron Lady' who will make decisions of war and peace that will determine the region's future."
"she moved from one European capital to another in order to participate in assassinations of 'the Arab terrorists.'" Elsewhere the article warns her "not to accuse the Palestinians of terror when she herself possesses such a record."
Livni worked for the Mossad from 1980-1984.
The paper also noted that Livni is "the daughter of a senior member of the Etzel terror organization headed by Menachem Begin" and notes that her father was sentenced to 15 years in jail but escaped from prison.
Pundits describe Livni as a dove among hawks, Tishreen noted, and asked: "What does this bird, with her grand 'historic' record, carry under her wings?"
Likud Barb
The editorial adds: "Livni knows well the demands for peace, and knows that returning the conquered Arab lands to their owners is the key to creating a just and comprehensive peace. And while we are sure that she will not change the tradition of previous prime ministers, we shall wait to hear what the dove has to say."
The Likud reacted to the article in Tishreen with a barb for Livni: "The Syrians know why they prefer Livni as Prime Minister," a statement by the party read. "It is because she is weak, made of the wrong stuff and not fit to lead Israel."