Letters From A Tory Daily views on British politics and the Conservative Party from a centre-right thinker who writes letters on his blog to politicians, journalists and many others.

“We will try to topple him.  We will work to recruit all those who are loyal to the Land of Israel. He cannot lie to his voters.”

- Arieh Eldad, head of the right-wing National Union party in Israel, who is threatening to bring down Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if he says ‘yes’ to a Palestinian state in a speech today.  Some aides have indicated that Mr Netanyahu intends to give guarded approval for Palestinian statehood in a speech that commentators are describing as a “moment of truth” for the the hawkish prime minister. He recently met Israeli president Shimon Peres, the former Labour leader who was condemned last week by right-wing coalition partners Jewish Home and National Union for calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state. The speech follows Barack Obama’s address in Cairo in which he made it clear the United States expected Israel to accept a Palestinian state – of which Mr Netanyahu has been an outspoken opponent throughout his career. Mr Obama also said Israel’s building of Jewish settlements in the West Bank – on land where the Palestinians plan to build their state – must be stopped. In his speech, Mr Netanyahu faces the task of both placating the new US administration while fighting to save his government whose survival is dependent on nationalist parties in their coalition government. (full story HERE)