Israeli Elections

[Andalusian girls]

in what was initially supposed to be a coronation for three-time incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu, the exit polls are currently showing a razor-tight race between him and the center-left opposition which reject his security policies and persistent economic stagnation.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...8ff_story.html

JERUSALEM — Initial exit polls in Israeli’s parliamentary elections showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu virtually deadlocked with his center-left challenger Tuesday, as he fought for his political life after a bruising campaign in which voters shifted from security worries toward pocketbook concerns such as rising living costs.

Voting ended at 10 p.m. (4 p.m. EDT), and two exit polls conducted by major television stations showed Netanyahu’s Likud party tied with opposition leader Isaac Herzog’s Zionist Union at 27 parliamentary seats each. A third TV station’s exit poll gave Likud a slight, one-seat lead — 28 to 27 — but said the race was too close to call.

Given Netanyahu's palpable desire to go to war with Iran and his rejection of the idea of a Palestinian state his continued administration or the fall of it will have major repercussions on the Middle East.

[RKenshin]

No particular comments, but I would like to say I appreciate the continual updates you post on the major events of that region (don't hear much news/stories on it otherwise!).

[Acevalefor]

How would Isaac Herzog's administration be different?

[Andalusian girls]

well, we ain't about to find out, Netanyahu has achieved a narrow yet undisputed victory.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/18/middle...ion/index.html

Jerusalem (CNN)Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared victory Wednesday after a tumultuous election that included last-minute shifts to boost his party's low poll numbers.

His main rival, Zionist Union's Isaac Herzog, called the incumbent leader and congratulated him, Israeli media reported.

Israel will continue much as it has.

[Ragnus]

The only thing that's really bothering me with this election is that Bibi declared victory before all the votes were tallied. For such a tight race, he was more than fairly confident of his win.

[notorious bum]

Only 3-4 percent of Israelis say the IDF used excessive force in Gaza. Israel does not have a left http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...campaign-media

[Ragnus]

Well, yeah. I mean it's kinda like how the US Government's "Left" is actually right of center. When you have a whole nation of people focused on self preservation and an itchy trigger finger you're going to have a really really conservative political spectrum.

[Clash Perez]

My wife's post, and my father-in-law's response. The likes? My mother. -_-



I'd really like to reply, but it's just not conducive to good familial relations. Things are awkward enough between us as it is.

[GoggleHead]

This is why you don't accept invites from family on Facebook.

[Ragnus]

Probably a good idea Clash. Popping in on that means pissing off the in-laws, your mom, and a healthy dose of couch time.

[notorious bum]

No rest for the wicked:

Israeli bulldozers enter Rafah area, navy fires at fishermen
http://www.maannews.com/images/345x2...97_345x230.jpg
Four Israeli bulldozers and a military vehicle entered Palestinian land near Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, witnesses told Ma'an.

The incident marks the continuation of high activity in densely populated Rafah, as the Egyptian army demolished 1,020 houses Tuesday in the second stage of the establishment of a buffer zone along the border with the Gaza Strip.

In a separate incident Thursday, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen across the al-Sudaniyya shore off Gaza City.

[GoggleHead]

You really need to source that shit.

[notorious bum]

My bad. I thought I linked it through the title. http://www.maannews.com/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=759985