JERUSALEM (USA TODAY) - With an array of messages and conflicting views, Israelis went to
the polls Tuesday in an election that exit polls indicated would give the most
parliamentary seats to the party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, giving
him a third term as Israel's leader.
"We are very skeptical that there will be any real changes from this election
because there is no strong or united left-wing block and everyone is busy
attacking each other," commented Ronit Levy, 29, at a polling station in the
heart of Jerusalem.
Her friend, Shir Sasson, 30, however said she felt that might be some
surprises.
"It is obvious that Benjamin Netanyahu will win but I hope there will be some
change and perhaps even some small surprises," she said.
Netanyahu, 63, was expected to win a second four-year term according to the
latest media polls. He had previously served a term as prime minister in the
1990s.
After casting his vote, he told reporters that a flood of ballots for his
list "is good for Israel." The Central Elections Committee said 32 parties are
vying for votes in the election. A party needs to obtain at least 2% of the
total vote to gain a seat in Israel's parliament, the Knesset.
Israel's three major televisions stations reported Likud emerged as the
largest faction according to exit polls but gains by a centrist newcomer party
raised the possibility that he will be forced to form a broad coalition to take
over the government.
The polls said Likud and its traditional conservative allies captured 61 or
62 seats in the 120-member parliament. With official results trickling in
throughout the night, it was possible that the two sides could end in
deadlock.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Netanyahu said he would reach
across the aisle and try to form a broad-based coalition.
"According to the exit polls, it is clear that Israel citizens decided that
they want me to continue to serve as prime minister of Israel, and that I form
the widest possible majority (coalition)," he said.
Netanyahu's centrist opponents have said they would not join his government
if he does not make more of a push for peace with the Palestinians. Netanyahu
says he is ready for peace negotiations but that the Palestinians were making
demands that left nothing to negotiate.
The centrist "Yesh Atid," party headed by political newcomer Yair Lapid
captured as many as 19 seats, well above forecasts. That would position Lapid to
become either opposition leader or seek a major Cabinet post if he decides to
join Netanyahu's governing coalition.
Lapid campaigned on a platform for an end to the generous subsidies and draft
exemptions given to ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities.
Ma'ayan Elkaslacy, 29 said that newcomer Yair Lapid, a former journalist, was
the best chance to bring about change and a new future for Israel.
"I have a feeling there will be some changes because of new faces such as
Lapid and (Bayit Hayehudi or Jewish Home party leader) Naftali Bennett," she
said. "I really think these new voices will be very important in the next
Knesset and might even join the government."
At rallies and in campaign ads, Likud and its ideological ally Yisrael
Beiteinu and other right-wing parties emphasized their strength on security.
Netanyahu launched an airstrike campaign against Hamas terrorists in November
and has supported the construction of security fences that have nearly
eliminated Palestinian suicide bomber attacks.
Polls show that the majority of Israelis continue to support a two-state
solution, but only if it will bring them a true, lasting peace, a position that
Netanyahu takes.
"The problem is that most Israelis consider the prospects for success in
peace talks to be slim," writes Toby Greene, director of research at the
Britain-Israel Communications and Research Center, in a political analysis
published this week.
"They ask themselves, 'If we get out of the West Bank will there be peace?'
Or will there be, as Netanyahu warns, the possibility of a 'third Iranian base'
on Israel's borders, after Hezbollah-controlled south Lebanon and the
Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip?"
Greene said the Palestinian Authority's "disinterest" in negotiating with
Netanyahu, and unilateral bid for statehood at the United Nations last November
has played into the hands of those Israelis who argue that there is no
Palestinian partner.
Gerald Steinberg, a political scientist with the BESA Center for Strategic
Studies at Bar-Ilan University, believes that "Americans and Israelis have the
same goal: two states living side by side in peace. "
But whereas Obama considers Israeli settlements to be the No. 1 obstacle to
peace, Steinberg said, Netanyahu - and many Israelis - say the real problem is
the Palestinians' unwillingness to acknowledge that Israel has a right to
exist.
If Israelis seem intransigent, Steinberg said, it is because "they live in a
different reality" from the safe, secure life most Americans and Europeans
enjoy.
"For almost 65 years," since Israel's founding, "Israelis have lived with
warfare. The majority do not believe the current Palestinian leadership, and the
hostility that really hasn't change in all those years, that peace is feasible
in the short term," Steinberg said.
Chaim Raphael, 36, a deli owner chose Shaul Mofaz, former chief of the
IOsraeli Defense Foprces.
"Security issues are where we need to put our main resources and they should
be in our first priority," he said referring to the Israelis along the border
who have been pounded by rocket fire from anti-Israel Hamas. "When you see the
suffering of the people living near the border, solutions in security are what
our country needs."
Gamaliel Sasportas 34, musician from Tel Aviv, voted for Shelli Yechimovich,
leader of the Labor party, "Haavoda," because, "she emphasizes social problems
more than security issues."
Just down the street from a polling station on one of Jersualem's main
thoroughfares, supporters of various parties continued their campaigns to
convince the undecided to vote for them. Stephanie Benun, 23, from the left-wing
Meretz party said she felt that despite talk of a more right wing, nationalistic
government, there was still a chance that smaller parties could increase their
representation in parliament and influence change.
And Da'am Workers Party activist Tali Klagesbrun, 31, said she was confident
that her tiny party, which represents both Jews and Arabs, would pass the
threshold and gain a place in the new political order
"All the other parties out there are only fighting for themselves, Da'am is
here to make real change and fight for workers rights," said the Jerusalemite.
This time around, Da'am has attempted to rally support from Jewish voters, as
well as Israeli-Arabs, who are not expected to turn out to vote in high numbers.
Lena Rubin, 44 an artist from Tel Aviv choose D'aam.
"This party really cares for the poor," she said. "They are not just talking
slogans during elections they work all year round to help the poor."
Eliran Frg'ian 25, a law student, went for former foreign minister and
Netanyahu opponent Tzipi Livni because "I consider her as a realistic option for
real peace process. We gave Benjamin Netanyahu a chance, which he failed in.
Supporters of Naftali Bennett's ultra-right wing party were also confident of
success. The star of the recent elections campaign and the only person that
polls have indicated has really challenged Netanyahu's lead, Ovadia
Bercechevsky, 23, said the former settler leader would be the big winner
this time.
"We are hopeful there will be some real changes and we think that Bennett and
Lapid can do that, even if it only means a different coalition formation,"
commented Jon Franzman, a recent immigrant from Britain.
But not everyone in Jerusalem was in the election spirit Tuesday. Shuki
Cohen, 62, said he had decided not to vote because "I don't think it will make
any difference."
"There is no party that really speaks for me, even though I hope that the
smaller parties are able to bring Bibi (Netanyahu) down this time," he said.
"There is only one place I vote for: the lottery, that is the only thing that
could really change my life."
Ruth Eglash, Special for USA TODAY