Israel's Netanyahu emerges with slight edge after tight race

[webfact]

Israel's Netanyahu emerges with slight edge after tight race
By JOSEF FEDERMAN

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to have fended off a strong challenge from the country's opposition leader in parliamentary elections Tuesday, emerging from an acrimonious campaign in a slightly better position to form Israel's next government.

But with the sides nearly evenly divided, a victory by Netanyahu's Likud Party still was not guaranteed. His chief rival, Isaac Herzog of the Zionist Union, said he would make "every effort" to form a government, and an upstart centrist party led by a former Netanyahu ally-turned-rival was set to be the kingmaker. The country now heads into weeks of negotiations over the makeup of the next coalition.

Both Netanyahu and Herzog will now compete for a chance to form a coalition that commands a majority in the 120-seat parliament, a daunting task in Israel's fractured political landscape. Netanyahu appeared to have a better chance of cobbling together a government with right-wing and religious parties. Herzog would have to appeal to more ideologically diverse parties.

Either will likely need the support of Moshe Kahlon, whose new Kulanu party captured nine or 10 seats. Kahlon, whose campaign focused almost entirely on bread-and-butter economic issues, has thus far refused to take sides.

The election was widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu, who has governed the country for the past six years, and recent opinion polls had given Herzog a slight lead.

As the results were announced on the nation's three major TV stations, celebrations erupted at Likud's campaign headquarters in Tel Aviv.

In a statement released on Twitter, Netanyahu said that "against all odds" Likud had won a "great victory."

"This is a great victory. It's almost a miracle," Likud lawmaker Ofir Akunis told The Associated Press. "For months, everybody attacked the Likud. And today is a beautiful day for the Likud. It sends a message that the people of Israel will decide for themselves."

Netanyahu focused his campaign on security issues, while his opponents portrayed him as out of touch and instead focused on the country's high cost of living and soaring housing prices.

Early Wednesday, Herzog addressed his supporters, saying that he had already begun efforts to court potential coalition partners. In a nod to Kahlon, he said he was committed to forming a "real social reconciliation government."

Netanyahu's return to power would likely spell trouble for Mideast peace efforts and could further escalate tensions with the United States.

Netanyahu, who already has a testy relationship with President Barack Obama, took a sharp turn to the right in the final days of the campaign, staking out a series of hard-line positions that will put him at odds with the international community.

In a dramatic policy reversal, he said he now opposes the creation of a Palestinian state — a key policy goal of the White House and the international community. The Palestinians, fed up after years of deadlock with Netanyahu, are now likely to press ahead with their attempts to bring war crimes charges against Israel in the International Criminal Court.

"We call upon the international community to support our efforts to join the international treaties and our effort in the ICC," said Saeb Erekat, a top Palestinian official.

"What Netanyahu is doing and stating are war crimes and if the international community wants peace it should make Netanyahu accountable for his acts," Erekat said. He said the Palestinian leadership will meet Thursday to discuss its next steps.

Official results from Tuesday's election won't be known for several days.

Two exit polls on Israeli TV showed Likud and the Zionist Union deadlocked with 27 seats each, and a third gave Likud a slight lead of 28-27. That breakdown could change as final results pour in.

Under Israel's fragmented electoral system, either Netanyahu or Herzog will have to court potential partners to secure a 61-seat majority in the 120-seat parliament.

Herzog could potentially try to build a coalition that would rely on support from a new Arab alliance that captured 12 to 13 seats. But Arab parties have never sat in an Israeli coalition before, complicating any potential deal.

Stav Shaffir, a leader of the Zionist Union, called the results a "clear vote of no confidence in Netanyahu."

She said the Zionist Union would wait for the official results before declaring victory or defeat, but claimed Netanyahu's opponents "have a majority."
___

Associated Press writer Aron Heller in Tel Aviv, Israel contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-03-18

[NeverSure]

[Publicus]

The OP doesn't say, but the president of Israel whose only apparent role is to ask a party to form a government after an election, said he will insist on a national unity government of Likud and Zionist Union. The president seems to see it as a matter of national survival, as indicated by this report in the Guardian....

President Reuven Rivlin has indicated he will seek a national unity government – of Likud and Zionist Union – contra the wishes of both Netanyahu and Herzog, my colleague Peter Beaumont reports from Jerusalem.

Rivlin, whose constitutional role is to invite the leader most likely to form a stable coalition, said: “I am convinced that only a unity government can prevent the rapid disintegration of Israel’s democracy and new elections in the near future.”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/mar/17/israel-elections-netanyahu-herzog-voters-coalition-knesset#block-55089f3ae4b0b2716932e2d7

Either Likud or the Zionist Union forming a coalition government would be unstable and very likely unsustainable for very long.

I think the president of Israel sees the election result pretty clearly and presciently, that if Netanhayu leads a new government, it's Israel against the world.

A Netanyahu strongly right wing government would be one of the few militant extremist governments of the world and in the most volatile region of the world. Netanyahu is beginning to look like a cross of Rush Limbaugh, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin.

[ggold]

As if there was any doubt as to the result.

[RockyBeerbelly]

The arrogance of this fascist! During the election day he is actually complaining that the Arabs are voting. That is democracy fuhrer Netanyahu style.

“Right-wing rule is in danger. Arab voters are streaming in huge quantities to the polling stations,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a video posted earlier in the day." http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/18/world/middleeast/netanyahu-israel-elections-arabs.html?_r=0

Its like the President of the USA saying: "I am worried about my position, because too many Hispanic people are voting!" A president like this would be hanged from the highest tree, and rightfully so....

I am sure all the Likud friends/Islamophobes of this forum will fully support this remark. They can be proud to support an idiot with the same ideology of that tiny Austrian guy from the 30ties....

Edited March 18, 2015 by RockyBeerbelly

[rambling]

The OP doesn't say, but the president of Israel whose only apparent role is to ask a party to form a government after an election, said he will insist on a national unity government of Likud and Zionist Union. The president seems to see it as a matter of national survival, as indicated by this report in the Guardian....

President Reuven Rivlin has indicated he will seek a national unity government – of Likud and Zionist Union – contra the wishes of both Netanyahu and Herzog, my colleague Peter Beaumont reports from Jerusalem.

Rivlin, whose constitutional role is to invite the leader most likely to form a stable coalition, said: “I am convinced that only a unity government can prevent the rapid disintegration of Israel’s democracy and new elections in the near future.”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/mar/17/israel-elections-netanyahu-herzog-voters-coalition-knesset#block-55089f3ae4b0b2716932e2d7

Either Likud or the Zionist Union forming a coalition government would be unstable and very likely unsustainable for very long.

I think the president of Israel sees the election result pretty clearly and presciently, that if Netanhayu leads a new government, it's Israel against the world.

A Netanyahu strongly right wing government would be one of the few militant extremist governments of the world and in the most volatile region of the world. Netanyahu is beginning to look like a cross of Rush Limbaugh, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin.

The president has many more diplomatic and symbolic formal roles.

He can't really insist on national unity, if the parties don't want to do it, they won't.

[Jingthing]

We shall see.

...

His associates say he won’t force a unity government, but he will encourage one. Anyone with a Jewish mother knows that sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between the two.

...

President Rivlin, the choice is yours. This election will be decided by one vote.

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Analysis-The-Israel-election-decided-by-one-vote-394229

Edited March 18, 2015 by Jingthing

[Steely Dan]

The OP doesn't say, but the president of Israel whose only apparent role is to ask a party to form a government after an election, said he will insist on a national unity government of Likud and Zionist Union. The president seems to see it as a matter of national survival, as indicated by this report in the Guardian....

President Reuven Rivlin has indicated he will seek a national unity government – of Likud and Zionist Union – contra the wishes of both Netanyahu and Herzog, my colleague Peter Beaumont reports from Jerusalem.
Rivlin, whose constitutional role is to invite the leader most likely to form a stable coalition, said: “I am convinced that only a unity government can prevent the rapid disintegration of Israel’s democracy and new elections in the near future.”
http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/mar/17/israel-elections-netanyahu-herzog-voters-coalition-knesset#block-55089f3ae4b0b2716932e2d7

Either Likud or the Zionist Union forming a coalition government would be unstable and very likely unsustainable for very long.

I think the president of Israel sees the election result pretty clearly and presciently, that if Netanhayu leads a new government, it's Israel against the world.

A Netanyahu strongly right wing government would be one of the few militant extremist governments of the world and in the most volatile region of the world. Netanyahu is beginning to look like a cross of Rush Limbaugh, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin.

Ah, plan B, the fallback option for the anti-Netanyahu camp. With Netanyahu still in the drivers seat at least three things are achieved. 1. The real prospect of Israel bombing the Iranian nuclear reactors if a sham deal is struck between Washington and Tehran.
2. No unilateral concessions to the Palestinians, which are never reciprocated.
3. No more interference from Obama attempting to foist any old 'peace' deal on Israel with no guarantees over her security during the remains of his lame duck presidency.

Edited March 18, 2015 by Scott

[NeverSure]

Rivlin can't force a coalition if the major parties won't do it. He's stated repeatedly that he'd like to see a coalition government but in the end he'll go with whoever can group together enough seats.

Kahlon holds the cards. He has about ten seats which will probably go to Bibi and Kahlon would then be the finance minister.

The odds are in favor of Bibi pulling this off.

[rambling]

75% of the votes have been counted. Likud with a significant lead of 31 seats vs. ZU with 24. It's pretty much over, Bibi gets 4 more years.

Edit. Now 81% of votes counted, numbers above unchanged.

Edited March 18, 2015 by rambling

[Ulysses G.]

Good news. The best man won!

[Publicus]

Okay then, if there is that much difference, then the president can be expected to call on Netanyahu to form a new extreme right wing government that will put Israel against the international community.

Edited March 18, 2015 by Publicus

[rambling]

Good news. The best man won!

He certainly did. Just too bad the people and country lost.

[BKKBobby]

Good news. The best man won!

Happy to have a Israeli PM that treats the white house like a settlement?

[rambling]

It is legally impossible to force a unity government. The president's role is to appoint, extend period of time allowance and re-appoint if first candidate is unsuccessful. It is not to conduct coalition negotiations or decide who joins the new government and who doesn't.

Also with the way the results look right now, there's no need for unity unless both sides want it.

[Ulysses G.]

Ah, plan B, the fallback option for the anti-Netanyahu camp. With Netanyahu still in the drivers seat at least three things are achieved. 1. The real prospect of Israel bombing the Iranian nuclear reactors if a sham deal is struck between Washington and Tehran.

2. No unilateral concessions to the Palestinians, which are never reciprocated.

3. No more interference from Obama attempting to foist any old 'peace' deal on Israel with no guarantees over her security during the remains of his lame duck presidency.

IMO, part of the reason that Netanyahu won, was after it became exposed that Obama was hypocritically interfering in Israeli politics. The voters know that Obama is no real friend of Israel.

Israelis Have Noticed Obama Is Still Interfering in Their Elections

The Jerusalem Post reports that Israeli public opinion continues to show that Israelis are proficient observers of the American political scene, especially with regard to President Obama:

Sixty-two percent of respondents said the Obama administration is interfering, 31% said it is not interfering, and 8% did not know.

A majority of respondents, 56%, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is correct in principle in his desire to address Congress on the Iranian nuclear threat, while 36% said he is not right, and 8% had no opinion.

https://www.commentarymagazine.com/2015/02/13/israelis-noticed-obama-still-interfering-elections/

Edited March 18, 2015 by Ulysses G.

[Publicus]

The OP doesn't say, but the president of Israel whose only apparent role is to ask a party to form a government after an election, said he will insist on a national unity government of Likud and Zionist Union. The president seems to see it as a matter of national survival, as indicated by this report in the Guardian....

President Reuven Rivlin has indicated he will seek a national unity government – of Likud and Zionist Union – contra the wishes of both Netanyahu and Herzog, my colleague Peter Beaumont reports from Jerusalem.

Rivlin, whose constitutional role is to invite the leader most likely to form a stable coalition, said: “I am convinced that only a unity government can prevent the rapid disintegration of Israel’s democracy and new elections in the near future.”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/mar/17/israel-elections-netanyahu-herzog-voters-coalition-knesset#block-55089f3ae4b0b2716932e2d7

Either Likud or the Zionist Union forming a coalition government would be unstable and very likely unsustainable for very long.

I think the president of Israel sees the election result pretty clearly and presciently, that if Netanhayu leads a new government, it's Israel against the world.

A Netanyahu strongly right wing government would be one of the few militant extremist governments of the world and in the most volatile region of the world. Netanyahu is beginning to look like a cross of Rush Limbaugh, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin.

Ah, plan B, the fallback option for the anti-Netanyahu camp. With Netanyahu still in the drivers seat at least three things are achieved. 1. The real prospect of Israel bombing the Iranian nuclear reactors if a sham deal is struck between Washington and Tehran.

2. No unilateral concessions to the Palestinians, which are never reciprocated.

3. No more interference from Obama attempting to foist any old 'peace' deal on Israel with no guarantees over her security during the remains of his lame duck presidency.

Appreciate if you or a Mod would clarify the post plse thx.

[Publicus]

Ah, plan B, the fallback option for the anti-Netanyahu camp. With Netanyahu still in the drivers seat at least three things are achieved. 1. The real prospect of Israel bombing the Iranian nuclear reactors if a sham deal is struck between Washington and Tehran.

2. No unilateral concessions to the Palestinians, which are never reciprocated.

3. No more interference from Obama attempting to foist any old 'peace' deal on Israel with no guarantees over her security during the remains of his lame duck presidency.

IMO, part of the reason that Netanyahu won, was after it became exposed that Obama was hypocritically interfering in Israeli politics. The voters know that Obama is no real friend of Israel.

Israel did not vote as you wildly claim because of the leader of a foreign country. The extreme right has to bend everything against Prez Obama, which says more about the extreme right than anyone else.

Netanyahu took to the television during voting to yell and scream that the Arabs are swamping the polling stations. Sounds like the extreme right here about immigration.

I'd remind the other poster in the quote of his 47 Duck Dynasty redneck Republican senators at the end of Netanyahu's string but who in the US have been politically shot out of the sky as dead ducks.

[rambling]

Okay then, if there is that much difference, then the president can be expected to call on Netanyahu to form a new extreme right wing government that will put Israel against the international community.

Yes, a lot depends on Kahlon who is a relatively moderate right wing. He holds the key to a coalition (assuming no unity). I'm not sure he has the stamina, wits or even the will to hold the fort against Bibi and the extremists. The challenges are many, the international community, relationship with the US, the continued weakening of the democracy, rising racism, discrimination, corruption. The list is long and pretty depressing.

[dexterm]

4 more years of the same then;

Increased isolation of Israel

Increased alienation of US govt...Netanyahu hardly endeared himself by rudely meddling in another country’s affairs. Plus his one state solution is at odds with US and global support for a 2 state solution. US will continue to be embarrassed in the UN and the world stage by allowing the tail to wag the dog.

Threats to bomb Iran. US and other governments won’t support such a move if they have just spent years negotiating a deal with Iran and the UN has lifted sanctions. If he does bomb Iran, Israelis can expect hundreds of Hezbollah rockets from Lebanon.

No new ideas for peace with Palestinians. One good thing to emerge from election campaign...we now know Netanyahu’s true colors... he says there will never be a Palestinian State. No more hypocrisy then insisting on Oslo Accords and direct negotiations. The Palestinians will be well advised to deal directly with ICC and UN.

Continued control and daily repression of the lives of 4.5 million Palestinians under occupation with no right to self determination. The world will increasingly see what an apartheid regime Israel is running.

Maybe he will provoke another war in Gaza..the IDF is shooting at Gazans on a daily basis http://www.maannews.com/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=759933 Not much left to destroy there now. But Bibi doesn’t mind sacrificing Israeli soldiers.

With such prospects the lives of Palestinians and Israelis are not set to improve. I can’t see where the fresh ideas are coming from.

Israelis have made their bed. Now they must lie in it.

[NeverSure]

... but who in the US have been politically shot out of the sky as dead ducks.

Obama and his lackeys. (The topic isn't about the US.)

[uptheos]

I bet Hamas are thrilled.

[Publicus]

Ah, plan B, the fallback option for the anti-Netanyahu camp. With Netanyahu still in the drivers seat at least three things are achieved. 1. The real prospect of Israel bombing the Iranian nuclear reactors if a sham deal is struck between Washington and Tehran.

2. No unilateral concessions to the Palestinians, which are never reciprocated.

3. No more interference from Obama attempting to foist any old 'peace' deal on Israel with no guarantees over her security during the remains of his lame duck presidency.

IMO, part of the reason that Netanyahu won, was after it became exposed that Obama was hypocritically interfering in Israeli politics. The voters know that Obama is no real friend of Israel.

Israelis Have Noticed Obama Is Still Interfering in Their Elections

The Jerusalem Post reports that Israeli public opinion continues to show that Israelis are proficient observers of the American political scene, especially with regard to President Obama:

Sixty-two percent of respondents said the Obama administration is interfering, 31% said it is not interfering, and 8% did not know.

A majority of respondents, 56%, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is correct in principle in his desire to address Congress on the Iranian nuclear threat, while 36% said he is not right, and 8% had no opinion.

https://www.commentarymagazine.com/2015/02/13/israelis-noticed-obama-still-interfering-elections/

Gallup found that in the US Netanyahu's approval after the speech to congress went down 7 points and his unfavorable went up 14 points. Netanyahu is at his lowest level ever in the US, at 38 percent approval.

That's ten points behind Prez Obama and ten points ahead of John Boehner, the House speaker and Ambassador of Congress to Israel.

At 38% its a good thing for Netanyahu the election wasn't held here.

[Publicus]

... but who in the US have been politically shot out of the sky as dead ducks.

Obama and his lackeys. (The topic isn't about the US.)

Weak post, very weak....and glib.

[rambling]

4 more years of the same then;

Increased isolation of Israel

Increased alienation of US govt...Netanyahu hardly endeared himself by rudely meddling in another country’s affairs. Plus his one state solution is at odds with US and global support for a 2 state solution. US will continue to be embarrassed in the UN and the world stage by allowing the tail to wag the dog.

Threats to bomb Iran. US and other governments won’t support such a move if they have just spent years negotiating a deal with Iran and the UN has lifted sanctions. If he does bomb Iran, Israelis can expect hundreds of Hezbollah rockets from Lebanon.

No new ideas for peace with Palestinians. One good thing to emerge from election campaign...we now know Netanyahu’s true colors... he says there will never be a Palestinian State. No more hypocrisy then insisting on Oslo Accords and direct negotiations. The Palestinians will be well advised to deal directly with ICC and UN.

Continued control and daily repression of the lives of 4.5 million Palestinians under occupation with no right to self determination. The world will increasingly see what an apartheid regime Israel is running.

Maybe he will provoke another war in Gaza..the IDF is shooting at Gazans on a daily basis http://www.maannews.com/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=759933 Not much left to destroy there now. But Bibi doesn’t mind sacrificing Israeli soldiers.

With such prospects the lives of Palestinians and Israelis are not set to improve. I can’t see where the fresh ideas are coming from.

Israelis have made their bed. Now they must lie in it.

Mostly correct except for a couple of things:

1. Anything Bibi said pre-elections applies only pre-elections, and most likely only for that specific time of day :-) It has zero validity or relevance now. That's just how he is.

2. IDF isn't shooting Gazans on a daily basis, that Palestinian "source" is a joke.

[NeverSure]

4 more years of the same then;

Increased isolation of Israel

Increased alienation of US govt...

Israel is already isolated and has already had to fight for its existence. That's not likely to stop no matter what because it has a lot of neighbors who've been bent on destroying it since the 1940's.

As for alienation of the US government, who gives a sh? Obama's pretending is over in less than two years but Israel has to continue.

[SheungWan]

Ah, plan B, the fallback option for the anti-Netanyahu camp. With Netanyahu still in the drivers seat at least three things are achieved. 1. The real prospect of Israel bombing the Iranian nuclear reactors if a sham deal is struck between Washington and Tehran.

2. No unilateral concessions to the Palestinians, which are never reciprocated.

3. No more interference from Obama attempting to foist any old 'peace' deal on Israel with no guarantees over her security during the remains of his lame duck presidency.

IMO, part of the reason that Netanyahu won, was after it became exposed that Obama was hypocritically interfering in Israeli politics. The voters know that Obama is no real friend of Israel.

Israelis Have Noticed Obama Is Still Interfering in Their Elections

The Jerusalem Post reports that Israeli public opinion continues to show that Israelis are proficient observers of the American political scene, especially with regard to President Obama:

Sixty-two percent of respondents said the Obama administration is interfering, 31% said it is not interfering, and 8% did not know.

A majority of respondents, 56%, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is correct in principle in his desire to address Congress on the Iranian nuclear threat, while 36% said he is not right, and 8% had no opinion.

https://www.commentarymagazine.com/2015/02/13/israelis-noticed-obama-still-interfering-elections/

Gallup found that in the US Netanyahu's approval after the speech to congress went down 7 points and his unfavorable went up 14 points. Netanyahu is at his lowest level ever in the US, at 38 percent approval.

That's ten points behind Prez Obama and ten points ahead of John Boehner, the House speaker and Ambassador of Congress to Israel.

At 38% its a good thing for Netanyahu the election wasn't held here.

In 2012, 57.5% of eligible voters voted in the presidential election. 51% of those voted for Obama. So its a good thing if you could calculate the rest.

[ezzra]

Just wait a while more, It's not over yet, the fat lady hasn't sung yet....

[BKKBobby]

4 more years of the same then;

Increased isolation of Israel

Increased alienation of US govt...

Israel is already isolated and has already had to fight for its existence. That's not likely to stop no matter what because it has a lot of neighbors who've been bent on destroying it since the 1940's.

As for alienation of the US government, who gives a sh? Obama's pretending is over in less than two years but Israel has to continue.

If Israel continues on the path its taken, EU will stop playing ball at some point. US will be the last and only playmate. Do Israelis want to be alienated from the west in a lonely island situated in a hostile neighbourhood? If so, then thats what they will get.

Or change and behave like modern western democracies with no discrimination, segregation and full equal rights for everyone no matter if you are jew or not.

A two-state solution is required and stopping treating Gaza as a de facto part of Israel while at the same time treating Gaza like a embargoed enemy country.

[Thorgal]

Rivlin can't force a coalition if the major parties won't do it. He's stated repeatedly that he'd like to see a coalition government but in the end he'll go with whoever can group together enough seats.

Kahlon holds the cards. He has about ten seats which will probably go to Bibi and Kahlon would then be the finance minister.

The odds are in favor of Bibi pulling this off.

Elections have rarely been held every four years in Israel. The last election was just over a year ago, in January of 2013. In December of 2014, amid opposition from within his own government, Netanyahu fired Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, declaring, ”I will not tolerate any opposition in my government.” In the same move, he called for early elections, and a week later the parliament voted to dissolve itself and declared early elections would be held in March 2015.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/5-things-know-about-israeli-elections

Let's give Kahlon or every other one 12 months, OK ?

Edited March 18, 2015 by Thorgal