Israel General Election Thread: March 17 2015

[Comrade Funk]

Two new polls

Channel 2

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Panels/Knesset Channe

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[Comrade Funk]

Last few polls looks like Netanyahu has regained some lost ground. Hezbollah could've helped. Sigh...

[Comrade Funk]

Panels/Knesset

Likud - 25
Labor/Livini - 24
Jewish Home - 13
United Arab Parties - 12
Yesh Atid - 11
Kulanu - 8
UTJ - 7
Shas - 6
Meretz - 5
Yisrael Beitenu - 5
Racists - 4

[Comrade Funk]

So now the invented "Palestinian" people has even become a "race"?

In the same way that the equally invented "Jewish" people did. As a racist yourself, you would have first-hand experience in how this happens.

Lol! Still don't care about Israel haters and Jew bashers calling me a racist, only makes me smile, so thanks for that.

Let's try to keep this thread as calm and reasonable as possible. If this means not commenting on certain matters, then do not comment on those matters. Thanks.

And now I feel we should listen to this wise man, because it would be a shame if this thread would become only a place for fighting.

I am Jewish. You are racist. Please stop.

[Comrade Funk]

Two new polls.

Feb 9th (Times of Israel)

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Feb 8th (Channel 10)

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[Comrade Funk]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4634075,00.html

Netanyahu apparently had secret deal with Palestinians in 2013, involving major concessions. Could help Bennett steal some seats from Likud.

[Comrade Funk]

Poor Odeh. Seems like a reasonable guy, but has to deal with these fanatics worsening their numbers.

[Comrade Funk]

Prediction
Zionist Union - 25
Likud - 21
Joint List - 14
Jewish Home - 11
Yesh Atid - 11
Kulanu - 10
Shas - 7
UTJ - 7
Meretz - 5
Yisrael Beitenu - 5
Yachad - 4

Zionist Union-Likud-Yesh Atid-Kulanu (67)

[Comrade Funk]

If Lapid is "kingmaker", would he back Netanyahu or Herzog for PM?

Herzog, unless he's a hypocrite. The real kingmaker is Kahlon.

[Comrade Funk]

Turnout is highest since 1999, I actually went back home without voting because of the massive cue at the ballot. From chats around my precinct there is a large swing toward Labour

Lets hope you're right. Bibi does not speak for me!

[Comrade Funk]

Netanyahu has jumped the shark with his busing conspiracy

[Comrade Funk]

65.7% vote until 20:00, higher than any year since 1999 again, will probably pass 70% now.

Wonder, which party is mobilizing better. Who has better groundwork.

Must be those buses full of Arabs. To help the International Zionist Union Conspiracy!

[Comrade Funk]

i24 says Meretz/YB in, Yachad out. Just rumors though. Exciting!!! American elections are so boring.

[Comrade Funk]

G-d willing these exit polls are right and a right-wing coalition is formed.

Hamas says the same thing

[Comrade Funk]

G-d willing these exit polls are right and a right-wing coalition is formed.

Hamas says the same thing

The idea that of religion disgusts most of you, doesn't it? Comparing everything to religious extremism does not make it so.

Just like calling Obama a socialist does not make him one. I might lean right, but I am not blinded by ideology. While I believe Netanyahu is better for Israel then Herzog, I would still have faith in Herzog's ability to protect Israel.

It is only Livni I do not trust.

That's not it, despite religion being stupid. Hamas wants Netanyahu to win because Netanyahu stated only yesterday he doesn't believe in a Palestinian state. Him and his god awful coalition will continue to build settlements, will continue to go to war every summer, will continue to ignore the UN, continue to hurt Israel internationally. AKA - Exactly What Hamas Wants!

[Comrade Funk]

Bibi using race hatred to get votes. Never Forget. Maybe the exit polls were somehow wrong? If there is a God!

[Comrade Funk]

This is depressing. Oh well, six years of failure. You want more? Have it. This is probably giving Hannity and the neocons an erection.

[Comrade Funk]

Ok. Just got to accept Netanyahu is PM, and Israel will continued to be isolated.

So does this spell the end of Herzog? Netanyahu's personality completely dominated the election. I think the Left needs someone more charismatic/stronger than Herzog, as much as Herzog is a good man imo. Any Israelis have anyone is mind? Someone Netanyahu can't bully. I don't think a younger politician more focused on social issues would work.

[Comrade Funk]

Predictions for the future:
- The new threshold will lead to immersion in the blocs soon. I suspect YB and Meretz immersed in Likud and Labour before the next elections.
- not enough room in the centre. I think Lapid's time in the opposition will make YA vaporize by next time (with some of its MKs trying to get in Labour).
- Shas and UTJ are heading to internal turmoil. I believe Shas will soon be torn apart from the inside.
- Yuval Diskin is warming up on the sidelines. I think the politicos at Labour understand they need an ex-general\security figure to win an election and Diskin is by far the most likely candidate (I tend to believe Herzog will step down by his own free will).
- Sylvan Shalom will resign and leave politics soon.

What makes you say this? What has he done to indicate he's planning on running for leadership besides bash Netanyahu?

[Comrade Funk]

Also from Labour activists I gather Holdai (mayor of tel aviv) also has hopes for leadership.

Huldai's been mayor since 1998 though; he's had plenty of opportunities to seek the party leadership, or a spot in the Knesset, if he wants it, but he's never gone for it.

Anyway, I agree that Diskin wants in and that he'll probably run at the next elections, but I tend to think with his performance Herzog has earned himself a round two, and it'll be difficult for someone else to take over. But of course, I'm not Israeli and could well be mistaken.

Herzog probably has earned it, but I think/hope he's smart enough to understand that Labor needs someone like Diskin to win. Oh well, we'll see.

[Comrade Funk]

How is the ZU holding up in opposition? No cracks as of yet?

Part for a little scene with Yechimovic saying she's against maintaining a joint leadership (Herzog-Livni) past the elections, Alles gut.
It will get more interesting later this year when they have a leadership race

Any new talk of Labor going in a new direction. I'm sure they're not dumb and realize that having a defense oriented leader is more electable...