Watch What He Does, Not What He Says

Politicians are slippery beasts, and Bibi Netanyahu is a politician.

The headlines - especially those for foreign consumption - say that Bibi is planning to crack down on Jewish extremists in light of there recent attack on an Israli army base. (See "Israel to crack down on Jewish extremists after attacks" in The Star .) But - at the same time - Bibi is planning to legalize most of the illegal outposts - even those built on private Arab-owned lands. (See "Israel ministers to weigh bill meant to legalize West Bank outposts" in Haartez .) And, this is of course, is the very thing that the Jewish extremists have been rioting about. It is because of settlers worries that the government might actually enforce the law and remove some illegal settlements that they have been burning mosques and attacking army bases. So while Bibi says he will crack down on them in the future, for the present he is acquiescing to their demands.

When dealing with shysters, con artists and politicians it is best to watch what they do, not what they say.