Thanks for that.
Likud's poor result elicited this from the comment section --

"Bye Bye Bi Bi Bye Bye"
dizzy | 03.29.06 - 7:02 am | #

I see this low turnout as a further "Americanization" of Israeli life. We can barely get 50% of US voters to the polls, so while 63% beats us, I would predict that in the future numbers will drop down to US levels. I blame the atomizing effect US-style consumer culture has on Israel, that and a lack of truly revolutionary left-wing parties on the ballot.
Strelnikov | Homepage | 03.29.06 - 8:30 am | #

So the Arab Parties had 10 seats and the Likudist parties just 11? I wonder whether it would not be a good idea for the genuine left in Israel to follow the lead of Illan Pappe and join the Arab parties. It would be a healthier sea to swim in, and one can lead by example.
johng | 03.29.06 - 12:10 pm | #

Any links to thumnail descriptions of the different parties?

What is the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox party about? I can't imagine they are moderate with regard to Israel's borders, but perhaps I am wrong.
Daveg | Homepage | 03.29.06 - 2:15 pm | #

Seems like the Sephardi is just in it for "da money".

The rightist Yisrael Beitenu and its predominantly Russian immigrant electorate fared better, taking 12 seats to place it fourth in the party rankings. Avigor Lieberman, its leader, fought an anti-crime campaign in which [fighting anti-crime? Is this the Mafia party? Probably just poor wording.], despite his ultra-nationalist credentials, he hinted he would be open to an offer of a place in a Kadima-led coalition.

The National Union-National Religious bloc, defender of the right of Jewish settlers to remain in all parts of the West Bank, took nine seats, having apparently failed to garner many votes from rightwingers disenchanted with Likud.

Mr Olmert on Wednesday called a meeting of senior party officials to review the election results and set up a coalition negotiation team.

Kadima leaders acknowledged the difficulties of forming a working coalition with such a slender mandate for the party. “I think we can run a government with 28 seats. It will be difficult, but possible,” said Shimon Peres, the former Labour leader.

Haim Ramon, another Labour defector to Mr Olmert's party, nevertheless believed the government would be in place before next month's Jewish holiday of Passover.

He told Israel Radio that Kadima could implement its so-called “convergence” plan in the West Bank with support from 70-80 members of parliament. Labour was a possible central partner, he said, and “social issues will not be a hindrance in coalition negotiations”.

Labour was expected to emerge as Mr Olmert's key coalition partner, despite its reservations about a unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank. Mr Olmert has said Israel would prefer a negotiated settlement but was prepared to go it alone if necessary.

Other potential allies – including the new Pensioners party with seven seats and the ultra-Orthodox Shas, with 13 – are more agnostic about the Olmert plan and might demand government concessions to their constituencies as the price for supporting it.[That means welfare so they can't sit around and read the Talmud.]


FT
john | 03.29.06 - 6:26 pm | #

---

johng I think they already have
linguist | 03.29.06 - 6:36 pm | #

There's a new anti-Zionist site on the web! JewsOnFirst
I took a look at the site, and sent them an e-mail excoriating their anti-Zionist stance.
The positions taken on this website would significantly harm Zionism, if adhered to by either the US or Israel.
Mooser | Homepage | 03.29.06 - 8:08 pm | #

My analysis is a little different than the official versions. The far right block has 51/120 (Likud/Israel Beitainu/NRP-NU/DegelHatorah/Shas). The left bloc has 52 (Kadima/Labor/Meretz). Pensioners (7) is neither left nor right. The Arab parties are excluded by Olmert's choice as antiZionist and cannot be counted on to vote for government. However, both Kadima and Likud are unstable, each consisting of former allies of the other. Kadima, especially, seems based on jobs for career politicians who don't want to be put to pasture yet. Netanyahu has burned a lot of bridges. So, the Likud will pick someone new and at that point will be able to pick off Kadima members (unless they join Kadima) and at least have a shot at governing. In essence, Rafi Eitan of the Pensioners party is permanent kingmaker.
linguist | 03.29.06 - 8:49 pm | #

both Kadima and Likud are unstable, each consisting of former allies of the other.

The same could be said for the Labour Party, surely?
H. Blackrose | 03.29.06 - 10:24 pm | #

Linguist,

Thats sounds sensible (from their point of view) to me. Any further info?
johng | 03.30.06 - 10:00 am | #

agree with your point about Labor. However, there appears to be a social divide with true Labor (Peretz) interested in giving the people health care and bread, and the Meretz more interested in passing out computers (my hyperbole). On foreign policy I don't see any divisions between the two parties. The truly ambitious career politicos all seem to be in Kadima (Peres, Itzak, Ramon).
linguist | 03.30.06 - 6:18 pm | #

Is this a good enough result for Labor to preserve party support for Peretz as leader? (Or did the defection of Peres to Kadima prevent any imminent rejection of Peretz by the party?)
Paul Lyon | Homepage | 03.31.06 - 5:12 am | #