Election defies pundits
THE Israeli election result flies in the face of media commentators and critics who had charged Israel with moving to the political right, local Jewish leaders say.
THE Israeli election result flies in the face of media commentators and critics who had charged Israel with moving to the political right, local Jewish leaders say.
Benjamin Netanyahu looks likely to form a centre-right coalition after the Likud-Beitenu ticket picked up 31 seats, down from 42, while Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid (There is a Future) party won 19 seats, Labour won 15, Jewish Home won 12 and Shas 11.
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein said the result showed Israelis remained “as committed to peace as ever”.
“Israel’s election results confounded those pundits who were overzealous in their desire to portray Israelis as moving hard to the right or somehow becoming anti-peace,” he said.
He said the new Israeli government would continue to support the immediate resumption of peace negotiations, without preconditions, with the goal of a secure Israel living side by side with an independent Palestinian state.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Danny Lamm said there had been a strong shift to the political centre. “Many Western media commentators had predicted that the Israeli electorate would lurch to the far right,” he said.
“They warned that this was a sign that Israelis are not interested in peace with the Palestinians, and that both Israeli democracy and US support for Israel would be put in jeopardy. These commentators were wrong on all counts.”
Zionist Federation of Australia president Philip Chester congratulated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his election victory.
“This represents an interesting time in the Israeli democratic process,” he said. “Netanyahu’s next goal will be to form a coalition that will enable him to face the many challenges that lie ahead, including tackling the Iranian nuclear threat, while maintaining focus on domestic and economic issues.”
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr last week urged Israel’s new government to make the resumption of direct negotiations without preconditions with the Palestinians a priority.
“Israel’s national elections reflect its proud democratic tradition,” he said.
“Australia strongly supports a negotiated two-state solution resulting in a secure Israel alongside a Palestinian state. There is an urgent need for progress in this peace process,” Carr added, making reference to a statement released in conjunction with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague last week which called upon Israel to cease settlement activity.
GARETH NARUNSKY
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