Wednesday, February 11, 2009
2/11/2009 12:43:00 AM | 
Posted by
JoeSettler
There is no doubt a bittersweet taste in the mouths of many at the moment.
(I am writing this before the final votes have come in.)
On one hand, neither the Likud nor Ichud Leumi received the desired number of votes on an individual party level.
On the other hand, all the Right Wing/Religious parties as a whole achieved a decisive victory over the Left.
And you know what? I am not so sure this is such a bad thing.
There will definitely be a bit of horse trading in the beginning, and a bit of extortion on the parts of Shas and especially Lieberman.
But once the dust has settled, all the RW and religious parties will (hopefully) find a way to work together. It means compromising, and more importantly it means that unilateral edicts won't be easily passed without a consensus.
Israel seriously lacks any real system of checks and balances, and it has always been my opinion that the more small parties there are, the better.
Besides that small parties are closer to the voters, it means that it is difficult to reach a situation where one or two parties can demand everyone do what they say, because it creates a situation of mutual reliance (aka: checks and balances).
What this means is that it comes down to the personalities in charge.
There can either be a permanent deadlock situation where nothing happens, or there can be a healthy situation where everyone gives a little and gets a little in return.
I know it's expecting a lot from Israeli politicians, but I'm counting on the latter.
(I am writing this before the final votes have come in.)
On one hand, neither the Likud nor Ichud Leumi received the desired number of votes on an individual party level.
On the other hand, all the Right Wing/Religious parties as a whole achieved a decisive victory over the Left.
And you know what? I am not so sure this is such a bad thing.
There will definitely be a bit of horse trading in the beginning, and a bit of extortion on the parts of Shas and especially Lieberman.
But once the dust has settled, all the RW and religious parties will (hopefully) find a way to work together. It means compromising, and more importantly it means that unilateral edicts won't be easily passed without a consensus.
Israel seriously lacks any real system of checks and balances, and it has always been my opinion that the more small parties there are, the better.
Besides that small parties are closer to the voters, it means that it is difficult to reach a situation where one or two parties can demand everyone do what they say, because it creates a situation of mutual reliance (aka: checks and balances).
What this means is that it comes down to the personalities in charge.
There can either be a permanent deadlock situation where nothing happens, or there can be a healthy situation where everyone gives a little and gets a little in return.
I know it's expecting a lot from Israeli politicians, but I'm counting on the latter.
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3 comments:
That actually makes a good deal of sense, and is similar to how I feel about it. So, no worries.
Bibi's "victory" speech was pretty amusing though. The way he talked, you'd have almost sworn the Likud got 40 mandates.
as long as you end up with a gorvernment that will protect Israel and not give it away then i am all for it.
FROM CAROL HERMAN
A few days ago, it dawned on me that to "cut and run" on Livni had its drawbacks. Meanwhile, Ehud Barak collaborated with Netanyahu, to create the storm that was supposed to sweep Livni overboard.
And, yet, Labor ends up without gaining traction. You'd think this would be the end of Labor; except for some agreement Ehud Barak got from Bibi. (Which in turn led to Bibi shedding votes to Avigdor Lieberman. Who has more problems than Olmert, when it comes to corruption charges.) So, where's the "smooth sailing, ahead?" If Livni offers less, and won't be blackmailed, wouldn't this run in her favor? If not "at once," then, ahead. Where between themselves Knesset members can pass along "favors" ... but you're going to leave "centrist" Israelis to swallow what the right has in store?
The "customers" are still the voters. Oh, just in case Olmert "beats the rap" and gets a clean bill of health in court ... (Where I presume he'd get a fair trial), what does that do?
No one seems to be going "silently, into that goodnight."
I remember that Avigdor Lieberman brought down Arik Sharon's first government. At last, no one knows the future. But after an election is over, shouldn't spirits lift?
Oh, and in the horse trading, ahead, what's Livni willing to give away? (All Bibi wants is the Prime Minister's chair.) He's been out of government; you mean there's no other chair?
Again, what about the customers? You can't hang an "Open For Business" sign, if outside the customers want to brush you off.
Is there are solution that wouldn't look full of bile?
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