Avigdor Lieberman: I prefer rightist coalition

No surprise that Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party finished a strong third in yesterday's elections in Israel, but it bodes very poorly for prospects of a viable Palestinian state, or for that matter, a viable long-term existence for Palestinians in the West Bank, and especially in Gaza. The Jerusalem Post reports some of his victory comments:

"The main argument today is not only over borders, but rather over the character of the State of Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state," he continued. "These three things must be intertwined. . . .

"We will not agree either directly or indirectly to [Hamas staying] in power. It doesn't matter which government is established."

"Our first goal is clear, to destroy Hamas, to take it down."

"Whoever wants to see us as a partner in the government must change their policies."