Israeli Elections
The parties are to share votes in Sept. 17 election • Former Meretz leader Zandberg calls the agreement “a dramatic step to strengthen the left.”
Parties have only until Aug. 1 to submit their final candidate lists to the Central Elections Committee. Until then, everything is up in the air.
Polls show better results for a union of right-wing parties under former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked than under current leader Rafi Peretz.
Benjamin Netanyahu just became the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history. In a special interview, he looks back on a number of significant events from his time in office.
“To survive as long as he has in Israel’s raucous political system is no small feat. He has clearly left a deep imprint on the country and its future,” Michael Freund, the prime minister’s deputy communications director from 1996-99, told JNS.
“This nation has extraordinary abilities in the economy, in defense and security, in statesmanship. We have proven that Israel could be transformed from a small country in the Middle East into a major force on the global stage,” says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis tells Israel Radio that under the Likud Party, Israel has always been a Jewish, democratic state—and will remain one.
He will be “throwing a series of ‘Hail Mary’ passes at every opportunity on every issue, including diplomacy, security, social welfare, religion and economy,” said adviser Mitchel Barak, CEO of Keevoon Research, Strategy and Communications Ltd.
While many in Israel bemoan the financial burden of the new elections this fall, the major cost to the country will likely lie in other realms.
While the majority of Palestinians who work in Israel are not eligible to vote, they nevertheless enjoy paid time off on election day. As one Palestinian in Ramallah put it, “as far as we are concerned, Israel can hold elections every month.”
Benjamin Netanyahu’s embattled party has only 70 days to win back the supporters responsible for its April 9 victory.
Former Labor MK Eitan Cabel: “It’s a party where the decisions are made by one man” • Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein: “Ehud, democracy begins with democratic procedure within the party.”
