An extremely ugly last minute campaign seems to have allowed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to grasp victory from the jaws of defeat, and has the Zionist Union openly talking about spending another term as the opposition.
Running on an explicitly anti-peace platform while railing against Israeli Arabs for going to the polls in large numbers of vote for their own party list, however, Netanyahu has set the stage for deep resentment to his rule.
Likud is looking for that right-far-right coalition again, but with so much acrimony, even some potential coalition partners (like Kulanu, as Likud’s dirty tricks got them a substantial fine on election day for doctored comments of their leader) are likely to be resentful of the new government.
The opposition, is likely to be hugely organized against Netanyahu as well, with a stark divide between them and ruling officials. Yisrael Beiteinu might end up there as well, with Lieberman demanding the Defense Ministry and Likud insisting the secular far-right party’s poor showing makes that unrealistic.
Perhaps the biggest problem for the new government, however, will be international relations, as Netanyahu telegraphed a lot of moves that are sure to spark angry international reactions, including from the US. The traditional UN veto umbrella provided by the US may no longer be guaranteed, since Netanyahu spent a lot of time on the campaign trail overtly making himself an enemy of the Obama Administration.
Israel’s last election turned in a government many expected wouldn’t last long. It collapsed indeed, well before scheduled election, and this new government is likely to be at least as unstable.
If the Euro nations can still think normal realtions with israel can be maintained after Netanyahus unequivocal remarks on Palestinian Statehood, they will be deluding themselves. Boycott Divest Sanction NOW
They can't hide the stench of occupation with Netanyahu at the helm which I think is a good thing!
If Israel wants peace. Israel should be practice peace. Good luck with that while Netanyahu is around.
"…traditional UN veto umbrella provided by the US may no longer be guaranteed…"
As a betting man, I'll wager that will not change any time soon. There are too many Israel Firsters and neocon leftover's from Bush in Obama's Administration. Besides, Obama has proved himself to be a coward when it comes to Israel.
I kind of agree. I really don't think that thee two state solution is viable to begin with, but keeps getting pushed by so many people to make it appear as though progress is being made. On the other hand, can the Zionist State continue going on? That is a question Jews should have been asking themselves 100 years ago. I think Palestinians have come to a point where they're not going to be happy with a postage stamp statelet that will be a basket case totally dependent on welfare from richer nations. They want the whole thing–and the more Islamic folks really do want a caliphate of some kind (maybe not ISIS-but a caliphate). Zionists know their situation is precarious even though they are armed to the teeth etc. Their survival is at stake and they are not going to give an inch. So the only thing they do is to keep beating the Arabs down. No one is a winner. In reality there is not much Obama can really do except to make some disapproving grunts.
Actually, I think Netanyahoo was slightly prescient when he wailed that the Arabs were going to the polls in droves (not, but what the hey) and the base should vote to counter balance the Arab voting. It has been documented that the Arab population in Israel is growing faster than the European Jews who've relocated to Israel. In short order, the Arab population will be a majority – which of course, the European immigrant Jewry won't handle nicely. Perhaps this is why there has been an increase in attempts (some successful but not all) to legislate the Arab-Israelis into permanent 2nd class citizenship…maybe even attempting, when the writing on the wall can no longer be ignored, to legislate away the Arab-Israeli right to vote. Do not put it past them. They will be desperate.
The Arab block came in 3rd…
Perhaps but he is plenty mad and has to power on hand to do what`s necessary for America and not Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu is Isreal's biggest enemy. He will go down in history as the destroyer of Israel.
Whether you are pro Israel or anti Israel I don't know how anyone can dispute the above. .
Typos:
"Running on an explicitly anti-peace platform while railing against Israeli Arabs for going to the polls in large numbers *of* vote for their own party list"
Should be: *to* vote