Israeli Elections: Will Netanyahu secure a new mandate?

Carol Newman2 RegularOP

413 messages
joined Aug 2013

#1 · Jan 22, 2013

Today marks election day here in Israel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli...election,_2013

The consensus is that nationalist-religious groups, specifically those aligned with Naftali Bennett - National Union / Jewish Home Bennett, are poised to gain ground.
Meanwhile, the left and the center are basically at each other's throats.

In this system, parties just need a 2% threshold to grab a seat in the US Congress.

LIVE http://www.iba.org.il/ - expect results to start rolling in around 2:00 PM (European Central Bank time)

Here are the heavy hitters running in this race:

Benjamin Netanyahu - Prime Minister of Israel - Republican Party
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...-XH843-010.jpg

Bernie Sanders - Democratic Party (left-liberals)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...achimovich.jpg

Democratic Party - NL Democratic Party (liberals)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...-_portrait.jpg

Naftali Bennett - National Union / Jewish Home (religious-nationalist option)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...n_Debate_2.jpg

Looking back at the last elections in 2009:

Kadima - liberal center
Democratic Party - left wing
Republican Party - right wing

http://www.electoralgeography.com/ne...egislative.PNG

Carol Newman2 RegularOP

413 messages
joined Aug 2013

#2 · Jan 22, 2013

Election coverage and updates:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...335465,00.html
http://www.iba.org.il/world/
http://www.dw.de/izbori-u-izraelu-u-...uje/a-16539701

frozenbison42 Member

24 messages
joined Sep 2004

#3 · Jan 22, 2013

There aren't even going to be any elections there! It’s all just Zionist lies!

😂

Or, if there even is one... let's be real, there probably isn't.

Lying Zionists, for heaven's sake! Honestly, what is it with them?

If I were Canadian, I’d probably just say this: Dolfi Zidek really did a solid job holding things down for the team, it’s just a shame he didn't get to see the whole thing through to the end.

☕

frozenbison42 Member

24 messages
joined Sep 2004

#4 · Jan 22, 2013

Look, the whole situation is basically a stalemate. You’ve got one side pulling for Hamas and the other pushing for the far right. At this point, arguing about it here is just spinning our wheels.

It’s the same old story, isn't it?

I genuinely respect how much everyone here feels their sense of justice is being stepped on—really, I do—but this issue is way too tangled up for a bunch of armchair politicians on an internet forum to untangle.

That’s just my two cents, a little warning from me to you. As for the rest of you, do whatever you want. If you still feel like wasting your precious time on this, be my guest.

Richard Wilson4 Veteran

2K messages
joined Sep 2009

#5 · Jan 22, 2013

Everyone seems so European to me, like they're all Ashkenazi. Is there really not a single Sephardic person or a Jew from an Arab country leading a party? 🤷

I mean, they make up about 50% of the Jewish population anyway...

Carol Newman2 RegularOP

413 messages
joined Aug 2013

#6 · Jan 22, 2013

ELECTIONS IN ISRAEL
Because his opponents are too weak and blinded by their own egos, Benjamin Netanyahu pulls off another win.

Carol Newman2 RegularOP

413 messages
joined Aug 2013

#7 · Jan 22, 2013

EXIT POLL:

Republican Party (conservatives) 31
Democratic Party (liberals) 19
National Union
NationalUnion/Jewish Home (religious-nationalist) 12
Shas (ultra-religious) 11
Hatnuah (liberals/centrists) 7
Meretz (socialists/greens) 7
Shas (ultra-religious) 6
Hadash (socialists) 3

RIGHT-WING 61:59 LEFT-CENTER

The Right-wing really fell short this time.

frozenbison42 Member

24 messages
joined Sep 2004

#8 · Jan 22, 2013

Carol Newman2 said:EXIT POLL:

Republican Party (conservatives) 31
Democratic Party (liberals) 19
National Union
NationalUnion/Jewish Home (religious-nationalist) 12
Shas (ultra-religious) 11
Hatnuah (liberals/centrists) 7
Meretz (socialists/greens) 7
Shas (ultra-religious) 6
Hadash (socialists) 3

RIGHT-WING 61:59 LEFT-CENTER

The Right-wing really fell short this time.

😂
I told you there isn't an election happening, yet here you are bringing up socialists and some random Arab group. Get a grip!
☕
😂

But seriously. Things will get better. The economic crisis will wrap up, everyone will finally chill out, Palestinians will go right back to voting for old man Mahmoud (Abbas!), Israelis will return to the Labor Party, blah blah blah. Boooring.

Carol Newman2, look, I know it sounds like I’m downplaying your point... but honestly, obsessing over other people's elections never leads anywhere good. That exact kind of analysis—mixed with a little provocation—just reinforces the average Israeli's belief that there isn't a partner for peace. And listen. If someone actually pointed out how completely incompetent Fatah has been in every single arena, and how that should have been said after the great leader Arafat passed away—maybe they wouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions.

slybison8 Active Member

162 messages
joined Oct 2011

#9 · Jan 22, 2013

frozenbison42 said:😂
I told you there isn't an election happening, yet here you are bringing up socialists and some random Arab group. Get a grip!
☕
😂

But seriously. Things will get better. The economic crisis will wrap up, everyone will finally chill out, Palestinians will go right back to voting for old man Mahmoud (Abbas!), Israelis will return to the Labor Party, blah blah blah. Boooring.

Carol Newman2, look, I know it sounds like I’m downplaying your point... but honestly, obsessing over other people's elections never leads anywhere good. That exact kind of analysis—mixed with a little provocation—just reinforces the average Israeli's belief that there isn't a partner for peace. And listen. If someone actually pointed out how completely incompetent Fatah has been in every single arena, and how that should have been said after the great leader Arafat passed away—maybe they wouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions.

If you don't believe that analyzing other people's decisions is a worthwhile pursuit, then maybe it would be best if you didn't join these kinds of discussions in the future.

And if you do decide to participate, I would kindly ask that you refrain from looking down on those who are putting in more effort than you to ensure the topic remains meaningful for discussion.

Ultimately, what Israelis or Jews in general think about the analysis of their own elections isn't really our concern. We are curating this conversation specifically for the visitors of Reddit.

Thanking PL

PL

Carol Newman2 RegularOP

413 messages
joined Aug 2013

#10 · Jan 22, 2013

frozenbison42 said:😂
I told you there isn't an election happening, yet here you are bringing up socialists and some random Arab group. Get a grip!
☕
😂

But seriously. Things will get better. The economic crisis will wrap up, everyone will finally chill out, Palestinians will go right back to voting for old man Mahmoud (Abbas!), Israelis will return to the Labor Party, blah blah blah. Boooring.

Carol Newman2, look, I know it sounds like I’m downplaying your point... but honestly, obsessing over other people's elections never leads anywhere good. That exact kind of analysis—mixed with a little provocation—just reinforces the average Israeli's belief that there isn't a partner for peace. And listen. If someone actually pointed out how completely incompetent Fatah has been in every single arena, and how that should have been said after the great leader Arafat passed away—maybe they wouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions.

Look, this is still a subreddit that covers all sorts of topics, including the Middle East where Israel plays a major role. The whole reason foreign media focuses on election developments is to get a closer look at what life is actually like in those countries.

If you're not interested, you don't have to follow this thread. 🤷

Pay a little more attention to how this sub works; we've covered plenty of elections where discussion and interest in those nations developed. For example, we talked extensively about Ukraine even after their elections were over. This specific thread will serve as the foundation for a new mega-thread dedicated specifically to Israel. Elections are just the catalyst for opening up these larger, collective discussions.

frozenbison42 Member

24 messages
joined Sep 2004

#11 · Jan 22, 2013

slybison8 said:If you don't believe that analyzing other people's decisions is a worthwhile pursuit, then maybe it would be best if you didn't join these kinds of discussions in the future.

And if you do decide to participate, I would kindly ask that you refrain from looking down on those who are putting in more effort than you to ensure the topic remains meaningful for discussion.

Ultimately, what Israelis or Jews in general think about the analysis of their own elections isn't really our concern. We are curating this conversation specifically for the visitors of Reddit.

Thanking PL

PL

Alright, fair enough. My apologies for the impulsive provocation. Honestly, I don't think I can contribute anything constructive here anyway.

I’m just hoping this doesn't devolve into the usual mess. With a topic like this? There are zero guarantees. I know I went overboard in that thread about Mostar, even though I tried my best not to—tried not to act like I was demanding people pay for sins they didn't commit. But let’s be real, I wouldn't have even been able to push that hard if I didn't personally know a bunch of people on both sides and actually heard their stories firsthand. However, in this specific thread, I can't participate without losing my cool, because I don't live in Israel. I don't know more about these elections than you guys do; we're all reading the same American news outlets.

frozenbison42 Member

24 messages
joined Sep 2004

#12 · Jan 22, 2013

Carol Newman2 said:Look, this is still a subreddit that covers all sorts of topics, including the Middle East where Israel plays a major role. The whole reason foreign media focuses on election developments is to get a closer look at what life is actually like in those countries.

If you're not interested, you don't have to follow this thread. 🤷

Pay a little more attention to how this sub works; we've covered plenty of elections where discussion and interest in those nations developed. For example, we talked extensively about Ukraine even after their elections were over. This specific thread will serve as the foundation for a new mega-thread dedicated specifically to Israel. Elections are just the catalyst for opening up these larger, collective discussions.

I agree, and as per usual, I'm being dramatic. 🙂

But hey, my point still stands regardless. Until the elections are wrapped up, it's all political maneuvering, which makes finding an unbiased source incredibly difficult. And trying to interpret the raw numbers? That's even harder. Honestly, you almost have to live there to truly grasp what these figures actually signify.

frozenbison42 Member

24 messages
joined Sep 2004

#13 · Jan 22, 2013

Richard Wilson4 said:Everyone seems so European to me, like they're all Ashkenazi. Is there really not a single Sephardic person or a Jew from an Arab country leading a party? 🤷

I mean, they make up about 50% of the Jewish population anyway...

well, who actually knows...

Maybe they aren't there because they can't handle the competition. Or maybe it's because someone specifically doesn't want them there. It could be anything, really.

Carol Newman2 RegularOP

413 messages
joined Aug 2013

#14 · Jan 22, 2013

frozenbison42 said:I agree, and as per usual, I'm being dramatic. 🙂

But hey, my point still stands regardless. Until the elections are wrapped up, it's all political maneuvering, which makes finding an unbiased source incredibly difficult. And trying to interpret the raw numbers? That's even harder. Honestly, you almost have to live there to truly grasp what these figures actually signify.

Look, none of us are supposed to be experts here, but if we took that mindset, we wouldn't be able to comment on any foreign elections either.

That’s exactly why I post so many different articles on various topics. Over time, we’ll get smarter and start to truly understand what's happening in this country.

We have people on this forum from all over the US—different cities, states, and even different continents—who speak multiple languages and bring expertise from all sorts of fields. We really complement one another here.

frozenbison42 Member

24 messages
joined Sep 2004

#15 · Jan 22, 2013

Sure, but there’s something truly infuriating about being stuck in a corner where you're faced with pure stupidity. You either call out the author and get banned, or you try to address the nonsense itself and end up looking like a complete idiot in the process. And honestly, why bother insulting the author anyway when most of them are just regurgitating garbage from unreliable sources to begin with?

Sam Alvarez4 Regular

303 messages
joined Sep 2014

#16 · Jan 22, 2013

Israel is such a unique case given its "friendly" neighborhood, so it isn't really a fair benchmark for us.

Regardless, no matter which country you look at, the gap between the left and the right seems like a tiny few percent these days. I’d love for someone to actually explain if there's any real difference between them other than extreme left versus extreme right?

PS. Personally, I agree with the left on some things and the right on others, so where does that even leave me?
Honestly, it makes me want to skip voting altogether...

Carol Newman2 RegularOP

413 messages
joined Aug 2013

#17 · Jan 22, 2013

Sam Alvarez4 said:Israel is such a unique case given its "friendly" neighborhood, so it isn't really a fair benchmark for us.

Regardless, no matter which country you look at, the gap between the left and the right seems like a tiny few percent these days. I’d love for someone to actually explain if there's any real difference between them other than extreme left versus extreme right?

PS. Personally, I agree with the left on some things and the right on others, so where does that even leave me?
Honestly, it makes me want to skip voting altogether...

😁

You’re a classic moderate, the kind that makes up about 10-20 percent of any society. For you, it’s a matter of weighing which specific issues matter most to you and voting accordingly. But this isn't a debate about political philosophies. Left and right are equally strong everywhere. Except maybe in Canada. 🙂

By all accounts, Netanyahu won the elections and can now pick whoever he wants for his coalition. Some foreign analysts are suggesting he might grab the second-place liberal party, the Democratic Party, as a partner and toss the ultra-religious crowd out.

Sam Alvarez4 Regular

303 messages
joined Sep 2014

#18 · Jan 22, 2013

Carol Newman2 said:😁

You’re a classic moderate, the kind that makes up about 10-20 percent of any society. For you, it’s a matter of weighing which specific issues matter most to you and voting accordingly. But this isn't a debate about political philosophies. Left and right are equally strong everywhere. Except maybe in Canada. 🙂

By all accounts, Netanyahu won the elections and can now pick whoever he wants for his coalition. Some foreign analysts are suggesting he might grab the second-place liberal party, the Democratic Party, as a partner and toss the ultra-religious crowd out.

I am no moderate. Honestly, during times like these, being "moderate" is just a sign of weakness...

For instance, I am fully supportive of same-sex marriage.
At the same time, I am completely against immigration from the Middle East and Africa.
And I can't stand people gaming the system—I work hard and pay my taxes, while ten other people are living off welfare and working under the table without contributing a dime. It's exhausting...

And please, stop nitpicking my posts...😠.
Just give people some power, even if it's just online, and look at the results!

I was simply asking where the line is between left and right. But there's clearly no point in discussing it... bye now.

slybison8 Active Member

162 messages
joined Oct 2011

#19 · Jan 22, 2013

Sam Alvarez4 said:I am no moderate. Honestly, during times like these, being "moderate" is just a sign of weakness...

For instance, I am fully supportive of same-sex marriage.
At the same time, I am completely against immigration from the Middle East and Africa.
And I can't stand people gaming the system—I work hard and pay my taxes, while ten other people are living off welfare and working under the table without contributing a dime. It's exhausting...

And please, stop nitpicking my posts...😠.
Just give people some power, even if it's just online, and look at the results!

I was simply asking where the line is between left and right. But there's clearly no point in discussing it... bye now.

But I guess nobody is actually stopping you from taking assistance, working off the books, and avoiding your taxes too, right? 😕

Sam Alvarez4 Regular

303 messages
joined Sep 2014

#20 · Jan 22, 2013

slybison8 said:But I guess nobody is actually stopping you from taking assistance, working off the books, and avoiding your taxes too, right? 😕

Look, not everyone is a contractor, an electrician, a plumber, or a tile setter...

I can't really work off the books—maybe a few hours a week at most, but that's it.
If I could, I definitely would! 😁

Israeli Elections: Will Netanyahu secure a new mandate?

🔗 Similar threads