Israel General Election Thread: March 17 2015

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

If there's any definition of racism in a diverse ethno-religious society like Israel, this new party seems to fit it.

That being said, claiming they're racist while Islamist parties that support the "All Jews Out" polices of Hamas are not is just plain silly. Ideally both fringes will be kept out of any coalition.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Let's get back to news not predictions:

Bibi states that he will not seek a unity government nor will he invite Herzog\Livni in. He did say JH are sure in partners. This move is more in the realm of getting more voters from JH\Liberman.

Former Minister Pyron states YA will favor Herzog over Bibi for PM

Apparently UTJ said today they will only sit with the Right.

The polls are looking really tight when it comes to the two blocs, creating the worrying situation that Bibi might only be able to form a coalition with the four seats potentially provided by Yachad.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Since when are people putting Kulanu on the left "bloc"? I was under the impression Kachlon was center-right and was more likely to make a deal with Netanyahu than Herzog.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

So Herzog needs the Joint List + Kulanu to become PM. Netanyahu only needs Kulanu and can cobble together either a narrow right-wing coalition if Kachlon agrees or a broader unity coalition.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Getting just 8 seats has to be a catastrophically bad result for Jewish Home - not too long ago Bennett seemed to have so much momentum and they were looking to get in the high teens

Likud cannibalized everyone to get to this lead-tie. If they didn't marginalize the other right-wing parties, Herzog would be ending this round with a healthy lead and massive international pressure to make him PM.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Getting just 8 seats has to be a catastrophically bad result for Jewish Home - not too long ago Bennett seemed to have so much momentum and they were looking to get in the high teens

Likud cannibalized everyone to get to this lead-tie. If they didn't marginalize the other right-wing parties, Herzog would be ending this round with a healthy lead and massive international pressure to make him PM.

But in the process they lost Yachad, making their coalition that much harder.

The votes are still there rather easily, and I wouldn't be surprised if they're actually okay with not having to deal with the Marzel issue any further.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

In 2009 didn't Netanyahu end up forming a government even though Kadima under Livni had one or two seats more than Likud?

One more seat, yeah. But it was a clear margin, with the right having at least 65 seats and no path to a coalition for Livni. This time, things are more volatile with a centrist party holding the balance.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

I'm glad to see that the Democratic party's second attempt to swing an Israeli election has failed miserably, unlike their first attempt under Clinton which led to the election of Barak.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

So the last-minute "no statehood" pledge worked?

Yep. And, BTW, very likely it is exactly the one that is going to hold. Because another 10 years, and the Arabs will not be asking for a state.

Why not?

They might think they can take over demographically in the long run.

However, the Orthodox baby boom is likely to blunt that.