Israeli voter turnout

[Phalanx]

Haaretz (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/699377.html)

I hope this doesn't mean a disadvantage to our comrades in Hadash. The absence of voters looks like it will work favorably with the far-right :( .

[Kaze]

to me this low turn out suggests that there is stagnancy in israeli politics occuring like in the western world. nobody cares anymore. childish name calling between politicians, back and forth stupid arguements with circular logic just compounds peoples desire to have nothing to do with such idiots who claim to run the country.

and if you're right about the far-right then palestine is even more screwed...

[Mesijs]

It is a good thing at least that the colonies will be shut down and removed then.

However I think it's bad that both of the governement's do not want to talk. I think there are really oppurtinities when Hamas calms down and when Olmert rationalizes.

[Janus]

Polls have closed and it seems that the Kadima party had a narrow win.


Originally posted by BBC News
Polls have closed in Israel in an election billed as a referendum on the future of the occupied West Bank.

Despite last-minute attempts to persuade people to vote, turnout was the lowest in the nation's history.

Exit polls suggested a narrow lead for the new centrist Kadima party, which proposes unilateral withdrawal from parts of the West Bank by 2010.

The centre-left Labour party was placed second, while the right-wing former ruling party, Likud, slumped to fourth.

Conceding defeat, Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu admitted the party had "suffered a tough blow".

But the former prime minister said he intended to "continue along the parth we have only just begun" to "ensure this movement is rehabilitated and takes its rightful place in the natin's leadership".

The vote was called by Kadima founder and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who suffered a massive stroke in January that has left him in a coma.

Electoral officials said voter turnout was 62.3%, the lowest in Israel's history and 5.7 percentage points lower than in the 2003 elections.

An exit poll for Israeli Public Television predicted 29 seats for Kadima - an apparent setback after the party's campaign team said anything less than 35 seats would be disappointing.

The poll gave Labour 22 seats, but only 11 seats to Likud in the 120-seat parliament or Knesset.

According to the poll, the far-right Yisrael Beitenu party - which proposes forcibly transferring Arab towns inside Israel to Palestinian territory - is projected to do well, with 14 seats which would put it in third place.

Correspondents say exit polls are notoriously unreliable in Israel and a clear picture will not emerge until a significant number of votes have been counted.

Redrawn map

As voting proceeded Israel's President Moshe Katsav said the election was "among the most important in the history of our state".

Since the creation of Israel in 1948, the country has been governed either by the Labour or Likud parties, so a Kadima victory would be historic.

He plans to do this by dismantling some isolated Jewish settlements in the West Bank, as well annexing parts of the territory.

The Palestinians oppose the plan, saying it will leave them unable to create a viable state.

Kadima was founded by Mr Sharon last year after leaving Likud amid bitter rows over his withdrawal of settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip.

Israel occupied Gaza and the West Bank, including east Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Its settlements are illegal under international law, although Israel disputes its validity.

ELECTION BACKGROUND
5 million eligible voters
31 parties contesting 120 seats
Proportional representation system with country acting as one constituency
Voters vote for a party list rather than an individual

[Tekun]

Hmm interesting...
I wonder how this turnout will reflect on the ongoing Israeli Palestine conflict

[mo7amEd]

Originally posted by [email protected] 28 2006, 10:28 PM
Hmm interesting...
I wonder how this turnout will reflect on the ongoing Israeli Palestine conflict
I don't think this is going to make a big difference...

Atleast I don't think their policy with change towards Palestine.

[Janus]

Originally posted by BBC News
Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has declared victory in the election, saying it is now time to "create a new chapter" for the country.
In a speech to members of his centrist Kadima party, he outlined his plans to fulfil an election pledge to establish permanent borders for Israel by 2010.

He said he was prepared to hold peace talks with the Palestinians but would act unilaterally if he had to.

With 75% of votes counted, Kadima has 28 of the 120 seats in parliament.

Standing in front of a massive picture of Ariel Sharon, Mr Olmert paid tribute to the stricken prime minister before laying out his plans for his four-year term in office.

"In the coming period we will move to set the final borders of the state of Israel, a Jewish state with a Jewish majority," Mr Olmert told Kadima party members in what was effectively his victory speech.

"We will try to achieve this in an agreement with the Palestinians. This is our hope and prayer."

He told the Palestinian leadership: "We are ready to compromise, to give up parts of the beloved Land of Israel... and evacuate, under great pain, Jews living there, in order to create the conditions that will enable you to fulfil your dream and live alongside us."

But he said it was time for the Palestinians to "relate to the existence of the state of Israel, to accept only part of their dream, to stop terror, to accept democracy and accept compromise and peace with us."

'Important election'

Electoral officials said voter turnout was 62.3%, the lowest in Israel's history and 5.7 percentage points lower than in the 2003 elections.

With results from 75% of polling stations counted, Kadima has 28 seats, with the centre-left Labour party coming second with 20 seats.
The BBC's Caroline Hawley says Kadima had hoped to win more seats but will feel the result has given them a mandate to begin forming a coalition.

The right-wing former ruling party, Likud, is trailing with just 12 seats - with the far-right Yisrael Beitenu party, which proposes forcibly transferring Arab towns inside Israel to Palestinian territory, winning 11.

Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu admitted they had "suffered a tough blow" but vowed to rebuild the party.

Israel's President Moshe Katsav earlier said the election was "among the most important in the history of our state".

Since the creation of Israel in 1948, the country has been governed either by the Labour or Likud parties, so a Kadima victory is historic.

Kadima was founded by Mr Sharon last year after leaving Likud amid bitter rows over his withdrawal of settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip.

Israel occupied Gaza and the West Bank, including east Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Its settlements are illegal under international law, although Israel disputes its validity.

RESULTS - 75% COUNTED
1. Kadima: 28 seats, centrist
2. Labour: 20 seats, centre-left
3. Likud: 12 seats, right-wing
4. Shas: 12 seats, ultra-orthodox
5. Yisrael Beitenu: 11 seats, Russian emigres, far-right
6. National Union-National Religious Party: 9 seats, far-right, pro-settler
7. Gil: 8 seats, right-wing, pensioners
8. United Torah Judaism:6 seats, ultra-orthodox
9. Meretz: 5 seats, left-wing

[Phalanx]

Originally posted by mo7amEd+Mar 29 2006, 12:10 AM--> (mo7amEd @ Mar 29 2006, 12:10 AM)
[email protected] 28 2006, 10:28 PM
Hmm interesting...
I wonder how this turnout will reflect on the ongoing Israeli Palestine conflict
I don't think this is going to make a big difference...

Atleast I don't think their policy with change towards Palestine. [/b]
Kadima says that it will withdraw from most of the West Bank, but significant areas will still be under Israeli occupation. No doubt this will just protract the conflict, but I'm hoping that Olmert will have a change of heart and leave the West Bank. Either that or Jewish settlers could become Palestinian citizens in the West Bank.

[mo7amEd]

Originally posted by Chinghis Khan+Mar 29 2006, 02:10 AM--> (Chinghis Khan @ Mar 29 2006, 02:10 AM)
Originally posted by [email protected] 29 2006, 12:10 AM

[email protected] 28 2006, 10:28 PM
Hmm interesting...
I wonder how this turnout will reflect on the ongoing Israeli Palestine conflict
I don't think this is going to make a big difference...

Atleast I don't think their policy with change towards Palestine.
Kadima says that it will withdraw from most of the West Bank, but significant areas will still be under Israeli occupation. No doubt this will just protract the conflict, but I'm hoping that Olmert will have a change of heart and leave the West Bank. Either that or Jewish settlers could become Palestinian citizens in the West Bank. [/b]
Oh, I didn't know that.

[LoneRed]

Like we've learned here in the US changing political parties does nothing, they must be known for theiractions, not for their positions. Israel is going to continue to Oppress palestinians, the only thing that could help is massive resistance against the zionist reactionary ****s

[il Commie]

True elections result in Israel (without the troops voices):

Knesset (israeli parliament): 120

Kadima (center): 28
Avoda (labor party): 20
Shas (orthodox): 13
Yisrael Beytenu (secular extreme right): 12
Likud (right): 11
Mafdal-Ichud Leumi (religious extreme right): 9
Gil (pensioners): 7
Yahadut HaTora (orthodox): 6
Meretz (left liberals): 4
Ra'am-Ta'al (muslims): 4
Hadash (communists & radical left): 3
Balad (arab liberals): 3



Not good, but that's an improvement over 2003 elections...

[Janus]

Originally posted by BBC News
Informal talks have begun in Israel on a new coalition government after the election victory of the Kadima Party.
With nearly all votes counted, the party has won 28 of the 120 seats in the Knesset. It was founded four months ago by now coma-stricken Ariel Sharon.

Possible partners are second-placed Labour and other smaller parties.

Kadima leader and acting PM Ehud Olmert has vowed to pursue plans to define Israel's final borders. Palestinians urged him not to do so unilaterally.

Leaders of the militant group Hamas are set to take formal control of the Palestinian government later on Wednesday.

Low turnout

Israeli President Moshe Katsav has said formal talks to form a new coalition government will start on Sunday.

A Kadima official told the Haaretz newspaper he expected a coalition to emerge after the Passover holiday, in about three weeks' time.
But Mr Olmert could have trouble forming and maintaining a stable coalition, with a margin of victory less decisive than Kadima had hoped, correspondents say.

Voter turnout was 62.3%, a record low.

With 99% of ballots counted, the centre-left Labour Party has come second with 20 seats, a 15.1% share.

Kadima officials said other probable partners included the ultra-Orthodox Shas, with 13, and the Pensioners party, which won seven seats.

Likud, winner of the last election, was beaten into fifth place with 11 seats.

Since the creation of Israel in 1948, the country has been governed either by the Labour or Likud parties, which makes the Kadima victory historic.

Final results are expected on Friday, with election observers still counting the votes of groups including soldiers, diplomats and prisoners.

Stiff opposition

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Olmert told his party he was prepared to hold peace talks with the Palestinians - but would act alone if he had to, in order to establish permanent borders for Israel by 2010.
Mr Olmert paid tribute to Mr Sharon before laying out his plans for his four-year term in office.

He told the Palestinian leadership he was ready "to give up parts of the beloved land of Israel", but that it was time for the Palestinians to "relate to the existence of the state of Israel... [and] to stop terror".

Correspondents say Mr Olmert's task will not be easy.

He will face stiff opposition from Israel's settler movement, he will have to convince the US to back his plan, and he will not be able to ignore a Hamas-led Palestinian government, says the BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Jerusalem.

Palestinian Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniya said that what mattered for his people was a party that recognised their right to a state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said the results would not change anything unless Mr Olmert changed his unilateral approach to resolving the conflict.

Kadima, which means "forward" in Hebrew, was founded by Mr Sharon last year after he left Likud amid bitter rows over his withdrawal of settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip.

Mr Sharon suffered a stroke and fell into a coma in January.

Israel occupied Gaza and the West Bank, including east Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Its settlements are illegal under international law, although Israel rejects that.

RESULTS - 99% COUNTED

Winning party:
1. Kadima: 28 seats, centrist
Probable partner:
2. Labour: 20 seats, centre-left
Possible partners:
3. Shas: 13 seats, ultra-Orthodox
4. Pensioners: 7 seats, single-issue
5. Torah Judaism: 6 seats, ultra-Orthodox
6. Meretz: 4 seats, left-wing
Unlikely partners:
7. Israel Beitenu: 12 seats, Russian emigres, far-right
8. Likud: 11 seats, right-wing
9. Arab parties: 10 seats
10. National Union/Religious: 9 seats, far-right, settlers

[Dr Mindbender]

Originally posted by Chinghis [email protected] 28 2006, 03:56 PM
Haaretz (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/699377.html)

I hope this doesn't mean a disadvantage to our comrades in Hadash. The absence of voters looks like it will work favorably with the far-right :( .
The state of Israel was founded on 'undemocracy' and Imperialism. The concept of 'Israeli democracy' is an oxymoron at best.

[Atlas Swallowed]

Originally posted by [email protected] 28 2006, 04:28 PM
to me this low turn out suggests that there is stagnancy in israeli politics occuring like in the western world. nobody cares anymore. childish name calling between politicians, back and forth stupid arguements with circular logic just compounds peoples desire to have nothing to do with such idiots who claim to run the country.

and if you're right about the far-right then palestine is even more screwed...
Or they are realizing that none of these poloticians are actually representing them and the whole system is just a rich mans scam.

The whole structure of the Israeli government has to be destroyed for the Palestinians to have a chance at living in peace. The Israeli government is not all inclusive and certain citizens have more rights than others depending on race and religion.

[il Commie]

Here are the final results:

Kadima (center): 29
Avoda (labor party): 20
Shas (orthodox): 12
Likud (right): 12
Yisrael Beytenu (secular extreme right): 11
Mafdal-Ichud Leumi (religious extreme right): 9
Gil (pensioners): 7
Yahadut HaTora (orthodox): 6
Meretz (left liberals): 5
Ra'am-Ta'al (muslims): 3
Hadash (communists & radical left): 3
Balad (arab liberals): 3



I believe the analysis suggested by Atlas Swallowed ("Or they are realizing that none of these poloticians are actually representing them and the whole system is just a rich mans scam") is way too superficial. I am writing now an article that will give my analysis, when it would be done I will ask someone to translate it to English.

In Hadash we are satisfied with the results. There are 3 socialists in the Knesset now, one more than the previous Knesset. Yet we consider the elections to be a part of a greater whole: we want to combine our activity in the Knesset with other activities. That would create a solid left in Israel, a voice which is very needed.

The fact that Peretz is the head of the Labor Party gives us a new and better situation: we are not the only leftist party in Israel. We are the radical side of a political camp who has a social-democrat side. That will help us to effect processes in Israel, and when we will talk about social issues people won't look at us as if we are UFO's.

[mscommieparty]

well, the reason nobody cares anymore is because politicians no longer give them a reason to care. politics are stagnating.

we need a leftist politician that will possibly influence the way that the voters think.

[zozo]

hadash is the only real left socialist party in israel right now.
they got only 3 seats...
meretz who are liberal left got 5 and labour got 20...
with the ram tal and balad each with 3, the left wing suffers a big defeat with only 34 seats in the knesset compared with 50 for the right wing.

this stat is only in the security region becaues if you take shas for example who are right wing in their security and support the settelments, are a bit lefty in their social view.

this puts the social issues on the map

[JC1]

All the party's in Israel, including Likud, are left-bourgoise in social issues. Theyre diffrence are based amount of Hawkishness, Religousness, and what kind of Social issues there counstiuency's are interested in.

[il Commie]

Originally posted by [email protected] 31 2006, 09:12 PM
hadash is the only real left socialist party in israel right now.
they got only 3 seats...
meretz who are liberal left got 5 and labour got 20...
with the ram tal and balad each with 3, the left wing suffers a big defeat with only 34 seats in the knesset compared with 50 for the right wing.

this stat is only in the security region becaues if you take shas for example who are right wing in their security and support the settelments, are a bit lefty in their social view.

this puts the social issues on the map
No.

The right was defeated.
Kadima was the big winner of these elections, and in order to evict settlers like they want they will have to take Meretz and Avoda into their coalition, which will take their evacuation programs a few steps to the left.

And ofcourse, the economical right suffered a big defeat: the Likud the symbol of Neo-Liberalism, and they went down from 40 MK's to 12 MK's. Shinui, another neo-liberal party who had 15 MK's, was completely erased.

In order to form a coalition, Ulmert must take into his goverment the pensioners party, Shas and Avoda. These parties are the representors of the weak and poor. Not good representors like Hadash, but we will see a few changes for the better in Israel:
1) 1000$ minimum wage.
2) Pension for every worker.

That is, unless Peretz will break all of his promises.