The new Israeli government is the largest in Israel's history and the largest of its kind in the world, according to Israeli media reports. Another enviable number--54% of the Israeli public already hold it in negative esteem and this is on the day of its swearing in, today.

That's the good news. The bad news is that even due to its internal contradictions, it is unlikely to collapse quickly because this is a government about self-preservation, and not much else. The only pressure it will feel--and it will feel it for certain--will be from the U.S. and from Europe.

Europe has already laid out the first strike by pre-empting Prime Minister Netanyahu's swearing in with a statement that Europe will be looking for a clear path to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians if the EU is to upgrade its trade ties. This is no small thing. Europe is Israel's largest export market and contrary to popular belief, Israelis love Europe--they want to be part of Europe. Bibi Netanyahu wants his economy to succeed and he has to know that if that is to work, he needs the world on his side. That's something that his new Foreign Minister perhaps doesn't know and doesn't care about-there could be no worse public face on the global stage for Israel than Avigdor Lieberman. The only immediate hope is that the criminal investigations pending against him come to fruition with an indictment or two soon.

Meanwhile, there has to be a global appeal, from leaders in Europe, the US government and the majority of Jews worldwide all who care about peace in the region--that there must be a clear statement by this government for two states and movement now toward that end. No economic fix can work for Israel without an agreement with the Palestinians. Bibi must know that somewhere inside of himself. That's one reason he put together such a contorted government. Or at least, those of us who care about peace can hope this is so.