ELECTION 2006
The Israeli elections are going to be happening today in Israel, and whatever the result is going to be, it has been an exciting and rocky road to elections. Leadership struggles, new parties, defection and unfortunately illness, have all played a major role in the lead up to elections.
In a period of time when strong leadership is absolutely crucial, no political party has been immune from leadership changes.
Almost out of nowhere, at least for those of us in the Diaspora, trade unionist Amir Peretz beat the perennial bridesmaid Shimon Peres in the November 6 fight for Labor Leadership. His leadership of the party will most definitely bring the Labor Party back to its social democratic roots.
The Israeli elections are going to be happening today in Israel, and whatever the result is going to be, it has been an exciting and rocky road to elections. Leadership struggles, new parties, defection and unfortunately illness, have all played a major role in the lead up to elections.
In a period of time when strong leadership is absolutely crucial, no political party has been immune from leadership changes.
Almost out of nowhere, at least for those of us in the Diaspora, trade unionist Amir Peretz beat the perennial bridesmaid Shimon Peres in the November 6 fight for Labor Leadership. His leadership of the party will most definitely bring the Labor Party back to its social democratic roots.
Then in a move that surprised and shocked the Jewish world, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon left Likud to form the centrist party “Kadima”. A new era in Israeli politics had emerged. Day after day for the next month and a half, the Israeli papers were full of defections. I happened to be in Israel at the time, and I ran to the paper each morning, just to see who it was that had left their party for Kadima that day. Labor MKs, Likud MKs… everyone wanted to be a part of Kadima.
And then came Ariel Sharon’s two devastating strokes, the latter one putting him in a coma and fighting for his life. This extremely unfortunate situation has thrown the Israeli political situation wide open. In such pressing times for such a volatile region, who else has the qualities needed to lead Israel to security and peace?
Ehud Olmert has taken over as acting Prime Minister, and in recent times has been promising and declaring plenty to ensure that the Israeli public knows that he means business and that he is the man who can lead Israel through this new era.
And then came Ariel Sharon’s two devastating strokes, the latter one putting him in a coma and fighting for his life. This extremely unfortunate situation has thrown the Israeli political situation wide open. In such pressing times for such a volatile region, who else has the qualities needed to lead Israel to security and peace?
Ehud Olmert has taken over as acting Prime Minister, and in recent times has been promising and declaring plenty to ensure that the Israeli public knows that he means business and that he is the man who can lead Israel through this new era.
At the same time, Likud has been having its own leadership woes. In late December, four me
n were fighting it out for the leadership that Sharon had left open. In the end, Benjamin Netanyahu, who quit the Knesset last year in opposition to Sharon’s Disengagement Plan, was the victor over Silvan Shalom, Moshe Feiglin and Yisrael Katz. Now Likud faces the tough challenge, having already lost ten seats since the 2003 election, of rebuilding the party and strengthening it in the wake of so many departures.
n were fighting it out for the leadership that Sharon had left open. In the end, Benjamin Netanyahu, who quit the Knesset last year in opposition to Sharon’s Disengagement Plan, was the victor over Silvan Shalom, Moshe Feiglin and Yisrael Katz. Now Likud faces the tough challenge, having already lost ten seats since the 2003 election, of rebuilding the party and strengthening it in the wake of so many departures.The political situation in Israel has always been a major point of contention throughout the nation even since its very establishment. However, these elections seem to have taken on an even higher level of tension. With the election of Hamas in the recent Palestinian elections, Sharon still fighting for his life, the neglect of social issues coming to a head, and last year’s unilateral Disengagement still weighing on people’s minds, never has an election been so important. One cannot discount the significance that the smaller parties are going to play in creating the all important coalition.
Come to the State Zionist Council of Victoria’s Post Election Event, including a Live Video Conference with Israel for a post-election analysis. Special guests include Sam Lipski (Melbourne) and Nachman Shay (Israel). The event will take place on Thursday March 30, 2006 at 8:00pm.
$10 / $8 Concession (Call 9272 5544 for more details)
Come to the State Zionist Council of Victoria’s Post Election Event, including a Live Video Conference with Israel for a post-election analysis. Special guests include Sam Lipski (Melbourne) and Nachman Shay (Israel). The event will take place on Thursday March 30, 2006 at 8:00pm.
$10 / $8 Concession (Call 9272 5544 for more details)
To comment on the elections here, simply sign up and get writing!
Disclaimer: Please note that the opinions expressed in the responses to our articles do not necessarily represent the views expressed by the State Zionist Council of Victoria.
The State Zionist Council encourages people to put forth their opinion, but in doing so asks all posters to be considerate of other people's opinions. The situation in Israel brings about high emotions, and posters are very likely to have different opinions over a variety of issues.
The State Zionist Council reserve the right to edit/and or remove posts that are considered to be:
1. acts of personal abuse
2. slanderous
3. indecent
4. any other matter deemed innapropriate
Posters that continue to flaunt the Code of Conduct regarding these issues will receive warnings or bannings, depending on the severity and regularity of the offences committed.
Discussion of illegal activities are not allowed.
Administration reserve the right to remove any post that puports in their opinion to discriminate on religious, political, sexual or ethnic grounds.
The State Zionist Council encourages people to put forth their opinion, but in doing so asks all posters to be considerate of other people's opinions. The situation in Israel brings about high emotions, and posters are very likely to have different opinions over a variety of issues.
The State Zionist Council reserve the right to edit/and or remove posts that are considered to be:
1. acts of personal abuse
2. slanderous
3. indecent
4. any other matter deemed innapropriate
Posters that continue to flaunt the Code of Conduct regarding these issues will receive warnings or bannings, depending on the severity and regularity of the offences committed.
Discussion of illegal activities are not allowed.
Administration reserve the right to remove any post that puports in their opinion to discriminate on religious, political, sexual or ethnic grounds.
No comments:
Post a Comment