Contents: Israeli Election Results | Weekly Quotes | Short Takes
Six Unexpected Lessons the Election Taught Us About Israelis: Anshel Pfeffer, Ha’aretz, Jan.23, 2013
Why Netanyahu Failed and Lapid Surprised: Aluf Benn, Ha’aretz, Jan.23, 2013
Analysis: The Writing for Likud Was on The Street: Ben Hartman, Jerusalem Post, Jan. 23, 2013
The Neo-Ottoman Military Band: Burak Bekdil, Hurriyet Daily News, Jan 23, 2013
(Source: Ynet News)
Israeli Election Results
|
Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu (Benjamin Netanyahu): 31 |
Hatnua (Tzipi Livni): 6 |
SIX UNEXPECTED LESSONS THE
ELECTION TAUGHT US ABOUT ISRAELIS
Anshel Pfeffer
Ha’aretz, Jan.23, 2013
Just have a look back at the headlines that appeared during this election campaign, especially those that appeared in the international media. They all dealt with Israel's lurch to the right, the rise of the ultra-nationalists, the increasing strength of the religious and deepening weakness of Israel's left. This morning [Jan. 23] it is already clear that a seriously weakened Benjamin Netanyahu cannot possibly form a right-wing-religious coalition, as the centrist bloc of parties – Yesh Atid, Labor, Hatnuah and Kadima – is of equal strength to Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu and Habayit Hayehudi's bloc. The ultra-Orthodox parties have not grown while the only openly left-wing Zionist party, Meretz, has doubled in size.
This can't be labeled as a victory for the center-left by any stretch of the imagination. Netanyahu is still the only party leader positioned to form a coalition and the fact that there are five different parties with different agendas in the center-left – as well as five inflated egos at their helm – does not bode well for bona-fide cooperation and coordination within the camp. However, the 2013 election taught us a few important lessons about Israelis that seem to fly in the face of what has become almost received wisdom.
1. Middle ground majority – Of the four electoral blocs – right-wing, ultra-Orthodox, center-left and Israeli Arab, the center-left is by far the largest. The two main parties of the right, Likud-Beiteinu and Habayit Hayehudi, also tried to portray themselves as catering to the middle class and succeeded in attracting at least part of those votes. This confirms the belief that despite all the demographic changes, Israelis are still essentially middle-ground and middle-class creatures.
2. Religious politics is out – Shas more or less held on. UTJ may have gained another seat but the soldiers' votes – due on Thursday – will probably cut them back to size. Habayit Hayehudi grew from seven seats (after its merger with the National Union) to 11, which is impressive but altogether means that less than a quarter of Israelis voted for (Jewish) religious parties. This is far less impressive, given that Habayit Hayehudi made a conscious appeal to secular voters. Israelis still overwhelmingly prefer parties that transcend religious divides (at least between Jews. The divide between Jews and Arabs is alive and well).
3. Willingness to give opportunities to newcomers – Yair Lapid is not alone. Together with him an unprecedented 50 first-time MKs are set to be sworn in. Over a quarter of Israelis gave their votes to Yesh Atid and Habayit Hayehudi, parties led by political rookies and consisting largely of fresh candidates (all of Yesh Atid's and eight of Habayit's 11 MKs are newcomers). Most of Labor's MKs are also new, and the party leader has no ministerial experience. On the other hand, Hatnuah, a party of political veterans, Likud-Beiteinu which presented the same faces and Shas, which brought back Aryeh Deri from political exile, failed to take off.
4. Pluralism sells, tribalism denounced – The parties that did well in these elections are those that tried to present a diverse list of candidates, religious and secular, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi, new immigrants and residents of the peripheral areas. Sometimes these efforts were transparent and the results not always particularly representative but they were noted. Meretz, Yesh Atid, Labor, Habayit Hayehudi, Hatnuah, all made gains with lists including different strands of Israeli society (though only Meretz is sending a non-Jewish MK to the next Knesset).
5. Policy still matters – Likud-Beiteinu ran without providing the voters with any platform or policy details. Yesh Atid and Habayit Hayehudi, for their part, both published detailed manifestos. Likud won't be making that mistake again. Apparently, Israelis want to be taken seriously.
6. One-trick ponies bound to fail – Shelly Yacimovich failed to sell herself to Israelis with a campaign based solely on economic issues. Tzipi Livni did even worse by focusing only on the peace process. Netanyahu tried to convince Israelis that they needed a strong leader against Israel's enemies and a mere quarter of them bought it. Israelis have a long list of pressing issues and expect all of them to be addressed.
“We have the opportunity to do great things together.”—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call to Yair Lapid , leader of Yesh Atid, upon receiving word that Yesh Atid would constitute the second largest party after Netanyahu’s Likud-Beiteinu party in the Knesset. (National Post, Jan 23, 2013)
"I do not think that the Arabs want peace. What I want is not a new Middle East, but to be rid of them and put a tall fence between us and them." The important thing is "to maintain a Jewish majority in the Land of Israel. The Palestinians must be brought to an understanding that Jerusalem will always remain under Israeli sovereignty and that there is no point for them in opening negotiations about Jerusalem. We have no existence without Jerusalem. The Tower of David is important for Israel's heritage and existence, because it is more than a tower, it is a symbol. It is more important than the Azrieli Towers [in Tel Aviv]."—Yair Lapid, on his Facebook page, prior to winning 19 seats in the Knesset as leader of Yesh Atid. (Israel National News, Jan. 20, 2013)
“I think that Yair Lapid, who spoke so much about the middle class and the socio-economic protests, is the natural one to focus on internal issues and maybe take the Finance Ministry. What’s clear is that the nation is asking for a dramatic change in everything related to the internal system more than anything else. I have no doubt that the Haredi parties understand that it’s impossible to continue this way as if nothing has happened, and they also need to be flexible.”—Avigdor Lieberman, former Israeli Foreign Minister, commenting on the election results. (Times of Israel, Jan. 23, 2013)
“Holocaust memorialisation is a massive undertaking, not least in a time when Holocaust survivors are becoming fewer and anti-Semitism and intolerance is rising. Furthermore, with the political gains of the far-right and neo-Nazi parties in European parliaments, the fact that this event is warmly embraced by the most prominent European institutions sends a strong message against hate, racism and anti-Semitism. I am delighted that, with our partners in the European Parliament, we have managed to place such an important event on the official EU calendar.”—Dr. Moshe Kantor, the president of the European Jewish Congress on the occasion of the first annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day Event in Brussels held by the European Parliament in conjunction with the European Jewish Congress.
“I am deeply touched that we are commemorating the International Holocaust Remembrance Day in the European Parliament once more, a location that is highly symbolic of peace and reconciliation between former arch-enemies. It is an honor for the institution that I lead to mark this day in such a dignified manner. The Holocaust must always be fresh in our minds and souls, in the conscience of humanity, and should serve as an incontrovertible warning for all time: Never again!”—European Parliament President Martin Schulz. (Jerusalem Post, Jan. 22, 2013)
"The issue of Palestinian refugees and the right of return are final status issues, and one may not act against international resolutions providing for their return to their homeland and their homes, which they fled, in particular resolution 194, which provides for the right of return of Palestinian refugees." —Nabil Abu Rudeina, a spokesman for PA President Mahmoud Abbas, explaining why he [Abbas] "categorically." rejected Israel's condition to allow up to 150,000 Syrian Palestinians to the relative safety of the PA if the immigrants would sign that they are giving up their claim to move to Israel itself. (Elder of Zyon, Jan. 22, 2013)
“Development in the Arab region has also been held back by protracted conflict, injustice and occupation. The stalemate in the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis is especially troubling. We must renew our collective engagement to resume meaningful negotiations that will realize Palestinian aspirations to live in freedom and dignity in an independent state of their own, side by side with Israel in peace and security.”—UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement to the Third Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, currently taking place in Saudi Arabia. “We know that there is conflict between us and the Palestinians, but attempts to elevate that to the core issue of the Middle East are doing a disservice to everybody.”—Paul Hirschson, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, rejecting any connection between Israeli policies and the situation in the Arab world. (Times of Israel, Jan. 21, 2013)
“Those who believe that there is a terrorist, extremist Al Qaeda problem in parts of North Africa, but that it is a problem for those places and we can somehow back off and ignore it, are profoundly wrong. What we know is that the terrorist threat in the Sahel comes from Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which aspires to establish Islamic law across the Sahel and northern Africa, and to attack Western interests in the region and frankly, wherever it can. Just as we have reduced the scale of the al-Qaeda threat in other parts of the world, including in Pakistan and Afghanistan, so it has grown in other parts of the world. We need to be equally concerned about that, and equally focused on it.”—British Prime Minister David Cameron, in an address to the British Parliament, in response to the recent hostage taking in Algeria and French intervention against al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Mali. (New York Times, Jan. 19, 2013)
“Their attitude was, [Algeria’s] ‘Please don’t intervene in Libya or you will create another Iraq on our border.’ And then, ‘Please don’t intervene in Mali or you will create a mess on our other border.’”—Geoff D. Porter, an Algeria expert and founder of North Africa Risk Consulting, which advises investors in the region. But they were dismissed as nervous Nellies, and now Algeria says to the West: “‘Goddamn it, we told you so.’” (New York Times, Jan 20, 2013)
“The French aren’t alone, they are the trailblazers. It is completely possible – but this is up to them – that others or the same European countries decide to offer not just logistical support, but also to make soldiers available.”—France’s Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius commenting on France’s decision to intervene in Mali against al-Qaeda-linked terrorists. However, “We see once again, there is no European union, no common European defence – not the British, nor the Germans nor the Italians – nobody is reacting. Concerning Canada, this is funny, because our Canadian friends say they are going to send one plane to help us, which is absolutely nothing.”—Eric Denécé, director of the French Centre for Intelligence Research in Paris, and a former intelligence official. Another official privy to the emergency discussions said the allies have been “incredibly slow [to step up] and incredibly stingy.” (Globe and Mail, Jan. 18, 2013)
“Facts in this part of the world [Turkey], sadly, do not always take the most pleasant shapes and revive anyone’s longing for the glory days of the Ottoman Military Band. It is ironic that the anti-missile systems built by “Christian” nations will soon become operational in Turkish territory, along with units of soldiers from “Christian” countries – the United States, Germany, Holland, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. And all that equipment and troop mobility is to protect “Muslim” Turkey from possible aggression by “Muslim” Syria.”—Burak Bekdil, in an op-ed article in the Turkish Hurriyet Daily News. (Hurriyet Daily News, Jan 23, 2013)
ISRAEL ONLY FREE COUNTRY IN MIDDLE EAST—(Washington DC) According to Freedom House’s 2012 Report on Freedom in the World Israel remains the region’s [Middle East and North Africa [MENA] only Free country. In recent years, controversies have surrounded proposed laws that threatened freedom of expression and the rights of civil society organizations. In most cases, however, these measures have either been quashed by the government or parliament, or struck down by the Supreme Court. Israeli politics have also been roiled by an escalating controversy over the role of ultra-Orthodox Jews and their positions on issues such as military service and gender equality. A Free country is one where there is open political competition, a climate of respect for civil liberties, significant independent civic life, and independent media. (Freedom House, Jan. 2013)
MALI INCURSION RAISES RISK TO FRENCH JEWS, COMMUNITY SAYS—(Paris)
France’s military involvement in Mali “significantly increases” the threat facing French Jews, according to the security service of the country’s Jewish communities. “The situation requires we raise the level of protection around our community and double the level of vigilance around synagogues, Jewish schools, community centers and gathering places,” said a communiqué by SPCJ, which often determines its level of preparedness based on consultations with French authorities. French ground forces deployed in the capital Bamako [Mali] last week and began advancing northward on Jan. 15 to engage Islamist rebels in the Saharan former French colony. The incursion caused “agitation” in Islamic circles in France, SPCJ said. (Jewish Press, JTA, January 18th, 2013)
UPGRADED IRON DOME INTERCEPTS MEDIUM-RANGE MISSILE—(Tel Aviv) The Israeli defense establishment on Monday announced the successful testing of an upgraded version of the Iron Dome missile defense system. The tests, according to the Defense Ministry, aimed to broaden and improve Iron Dome’s “capability and performance” to contend with threats. In the tests, Iron Dome intercepted a missile heavier than a Fajr — the type fired at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip during November’s Operation Pillar of Defense. The test missile was also fired from a greater distance than its ordinary interception range (the Fajr-5 has a maximum range of 75 kilometers), suggesting that Iron Dome is being upgraded to protect Israeli cities against medium-range missile threats. (Times of Israel, Jan. 21, 2013)
PRO-ASSAD GUNMEN KILL 100 IN VILLAGE—(Beirut) Gunmen loyal to President Bashar al-Assad swept through a mainly Sunni farming village in central Syria this week, burning down houses and killing more than 100 people, including women and children, opposition activists said Thursday [Jan. 22]. The reported slayings, the latest in a series of massacres, fuelled accusations that pro-government militiamen are trying to drive majority Sunnis out of areas near main routes to the coast to ensure control of an Alawite enclave as the country’s civil war increasingly takes on sectarian overtones. Activists said the attackers were from nearby areas dominated by Shiite Muslims and allied Alawites. (National Post, 18 Jan 2013)
ISRAEL ASKS UN TO ADDRESS TERRORIST ‘ECOSYSTEM’—(New York) Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor said Tuesday [Jan 15] that the prospect of Hezbollah acquiring chemical weapons – through mishandling or via Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government — is “frightening,” and called on the Security Council to act immediately to prevent their proliferation. “I want to take the opportunity of this debate to ask the simple question: How do we truly counter terrorism?” he asked in the hall of the Security Council. “Yes, we must combat terrorists wherever they seek to strike. Yes, we must attack terrorist infrastructure, and go after those who support and finance terrorism,” he said. “However, true counterterrorism must also begin by disrupting the ecosystem of extremism in which terror thrives,” Prosor continued. “It means advancing education that teaches peace, not hate, and mutual understanding, not martyrdom. It means speaking out against incitement and all forms of terrorism, even when it is politically inconvenient.” (Jerusalem Post, Jan .16, 2013)
TEL AVIV RANKED SEVENTH BEST BEACH CITY IN WORLD—(Tel Aviv) The travel publication Lonely Planet has named Tel Aviv as one of its top beach cities, continuing the city’s recognition as one of the world’s top destinations. Tel Aviv, known as the “White City,” placed seventh in the Lonely Planet’s review of top beach cities behind top-ranked Barcelona. Tel Aviv beat cities such as its Middle Eastern neighbor Dubai, Miami, as well as Brighton and Hove in Great Britain on the list. (Alegemeiner, Jan. 22, 2013)
The Neo-Ottoman Military Band: Burak Bekdil, Hurriyet Daily News, Jan 23, 2013—In a speech at the weekend, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan justified his Syria campaign with these words: “If they [Western coalition forces] can come from thousands of kilometers away and enter [occupy] Iraq… we just cannot sit tied and watch Syria, with which we have a 910-kilometer border.”
Why Netanyahu Failed and Lapid Surprised: Aluf Benn, Ha’aretz, Jan.23, 2013—Again and again, Netanyahu was photographed at the Western Wall and with IDF soldiers. All this may have looked good on his Facebook page, but it didn’t speak to Israelis’ hearts. Lapid, on the other hand, adapted his message to voters' interests.
Analysis: The Writing for Likud Was on The Street: Ben Hartman, Jerusalem Post, Jan. 23, 2013—For anyone who cared to listen, the ordinary people were quite clear on their disappointment in Netanyahu. The Yesh Atid coup in the election would have been shocking a week ago, but not 12 hours before polls closed, walking the streets of south Tel Aviv. In classic Likud strongholds like the Hatikvah neighborhood, time and again people spoke of voting for Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid or Naftali Bennett of Jewish Home (Bayit Yehudi), with Shas and also Labor coming up again and again.
Ber Lazarus , Publications Editor Canadian Institute for Jewish Research /L'institut Canadien de recherches sur le Judaïsme www.isranet.org Tel: (514) 486-5544 Fax: (514) 486-8284
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