Post election roundup
I wish I had seen it sooner, but Faith in Nathan provided his (cynical but entertaining) Party Profiles prior to the eleciton.
Deja Vu had deja vu about the election that this year’s vote reminds her of.
IRIS liveblogged the election and has some nice observations.
So did Israelly Cool!, if slightly more irreverently.
Daled Amos has a comprehensive roundup.
Fundamentally Freund explains what it means.
There are two good posts with observations in Israel Matzav.
Joe Settler has Initial Reactions.
The Muqata discusses the electorate’s cynicism and reasons for it.
Read Jewish Current Issues Mr. Twenty Three Percent.
Vital Perspectives takes a different tack with Reality Check.
Volokh Conpiracy.David Bernstein makes an important point that will escape many analysts
The international media, of course, is focusing on the implications of the election for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but there is bad news for those of us who believe that Israel’s inept and corrupt version of social democracy has been stifling economic growth there for years. The new “Pensioners Party” won 7 out of the 120 seats. I don’t know much about this party, but I’ve seen it described as “socialist.” Even if it’s not, the last thing Israel needs is a domestic equivalent of the AARP holding decisive votes in the Knesset.
The Volokh Conspiracy.Ilya Sonim agrees that some of the socialist tendencies in Israeli society may be enhanced, but there were some free market impulses too.
Technorati tags: Israeli elections.
Crossposted on Israpundit and Soccer Dad.
COMMENTARY ON ISRAELI ELECTION RESULTS
BY: FERN SIDMAN
The election results are in and the immediate future of Israel is in deep peril. Despite the low voter turnout, it appears that the Kadima, Labor and Meretz coalition has taken power with the lowest coalition majority in the history of the state.
At Mr. Olmert’s victory speech, his ominous policies were clearly vocalized. “The people have spoken clearly, they want Kadima,” Olmert boomed, adding that the dream of the Greater Land of Israel must be repudiated “and Jews, with much pain, must be evacuated.”
Olmert’s words were echoed by Shimon Peres of Kadima, who announced Tuesday night that the future coalition will be one that will promote the “turning inward” plan – a new euphemism for unilateral withdrawals that frames the forced evictions as moving outlying towns to the delineated settlement blocs.
And who is really celebrating tonight?? You guessed it. The Arabs. While they spew forth their vituperative towards the State of Israel and plan it’s destruction, our Jewish leaders fall all over themselves attempting to make “peace” with those who seek our destruction. The Arabs are also elated because the Arab parties received 10 seats in the next Knesset.
When did we ever believe that this would occur? Let us remember the words of Rabbi Meir Kahane, ZT”L who said that Arabs would eventually become a majority and quietly, democratically vote Israel out of existence. We have now witnessed the beginning of this phenomenon.
“The ultimate hope of the Arabs who dream of destroying the Jewish State, of realizing that vision, is the left-liberal camp inside Israel” Rabbi Meir Kahane - (Israel: Revolution or Referendum?, 1990, page 62)
It is also apparent that the government of Israel seeks to quell the right of free speech, a basic component of a democratic government. This was evidenced when MK Michael Kleiner of Herut came to Jaffa, in a last-minute effort to solicit Arab votes. Kleiner’s supporters posted signs in Arabic in Jaffa, and in other Arab towns throughout Israel, urging Arabs to vote for him, in the upcoming Israeli national elections. Kleiner is promising to push for legislation of a law that would pay Arabs to leave Israel.
According to recent surveys, as many as 50 percent of the “Palestinians” would gladly leave Israel if they were given start-up funds to begin a new life elsewhere.
Local Arab leaders incited a riot, and police refused to allow Kleiner to come back to Jaffa. Kleiner also filed complaints against Tel Aviv Councilman Rifat Torik for incitement and his statements in support of the attacks against party activists, who Kleiner maintains were in life-threatening danger.
It is clear that anyone who proposes the idea of transfer of the Arab population is subject to harassment and arrest and severe prosecution. Anyone who attempts to promulgate the idea of self preservation of the Jewish people and the Jewish State is viewed as a villain, a criminal, a fomenter of unrest. Anyone who speaks the Torah truth, who speaks of the uniqueness of the Jewish people, who declares the Oneness and Omnipotence of the G-d of Israel is subject to ridicule, and worse, arrest and imprisonment.
The powers that be in the Israeli government cannot quash the truth. They cannot silence those whose belief in and adherence to the laws of Hashem and His Torah, are their first priority. We can no longer remain blind to the truth. And the truth is the Arabs are indeed on their way to becoming a majority in the State of Israel. Rather than being voted out of existence by the Arab in this ostensible democracy, we must raise our collective voices in protest of the impending destruction of Israel. We must summon up the strength and courage to do the will of Hashem. We must purge the malignant Arab population before it is too late. May Hashem be at our side.
Comment by Fern Sidman
— March 29, 2006 @ 1:45 pm