Settlement building to grow as hardline Right corners Netanyahu

Israel is ready for a surge in settlement building in the Palestinian territories after Benjamin Netanyahu appointed a string of hardline Right-wingers to key jobs in his government.

The prime minister buckled to demands from Jewish Home, his pro-settler coalition partner, and named Ayelet Shaked, 39, a prominent opponent of the peace process, as justice minister.

Netanyahu’s fragile new government will hold 61 seats out of 120 in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. Shaked has pledged to weaken the power of the High Court, a bastion of liberal Israel, which has made regular rulings against settlers in favour of Arab petitioners. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat described the new administration as a ‘‘government of war’’ that would ‘‘set its sights on killing and reinforcing settlement activities’’.

Nachman Shai, a Knesset member from the opposition Zionist Union Party, said granting Shaked the justice ministry was like ‘‘giving a pyromaniac the fire brigade’’. Earlier this week, as the deal was being negotiated, the Jerusa- lem planning committee approved the construction of 900 settler homes in Ramat Shlomo, in occupied east Jerusalem; part of a longdelayed plan announced in 2010.

Criticism of Netanyahu came from one unusual source, with Natalie Portman, the Israeli-born American actress, weighing in.

‘‘I am very, very upset and disappointed that he was re-elected.

‘‘I find his racist comments hor- Cruickshank Pryde has a proud history of operating as a leading law firm servicing the southern region. In 1939, just prior to the outbreak of World War II, Tom Pryde Senior and George Cruickshank formed a partnership that endured for over 50 years until their respective retirements from active practice in the 1980s. For a number of years the firm was known as Cruickshank Pryde and Hay until the departure in 1970 of Ian Hay when the firm rebranded under the original name. In 1970, the founders were joined by Tom Pryde Junior, now a senior partner. In 1985, the established rific,’’ she told the Hollywood Reporter – a reference to remarks made by the prime minister during the election campaign, when he warned of the ‘‘danger’’ posed by Arab voters.

Netanyahu has paid a steep price for Jewish Home’s involvement in his coalition: it will also control the office that oversees Israeli settlements, and has been given the post of deputy defence Invercargill firm of Hall-Jones and Sons with Cruickshank Pryde. Gerard Hall-Jones a partner and his older brother Geoff a consultant. minister. Shaked is one of the Knesset’s most outspoken figures and is a rising star of the Israeli Right. She put forward a bill last year that would have allowed the Knesset to over-ride High Court decisions. ‘‘Time after time, the High Court seizes powers that do not belong to it, and expands its control,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s time for a change.’’ Her party also wants to give merged became became The Partnership continued to grow in the 1980’s welcoming Lester Smith, Rex Chapman, Murray Little and John Pringle. In 2001, Keith Brown joined the partnership followed by Sarah Maguire and Phil McDonald and more latterly Richard Smith. Tom and Sarah practise from our Queenstown office in Gorge Road, the remaining seven partners operate from our Don Street premises. MPs more power to appoint judges. Netanyahu was said to be reluctant to give Shaked the job, for political and personal reasons.

She was his office manager nearly a decade ago, until she fell out with him and his party.

The coalition is made up of Netanyahu’s Likud Party, Jewish Home, two ultra-Orthodox parties and a Centre-Right party that is focused on the economy. John Lindsay, Paul Mahoney, Alan Jones, Richard Russell and John Fraser have also been in partnership over the years. Cruickshank Pryde’s commitment to providing prompt, efficient legal services at reasonable rates is as relevant today as it was 75 years ago. We continue to serve the needs of the third generation of Southland and Otago families and are committed to continue to do so for many future generations. We take great pride become our friends.

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