Israel election

Appetite for self-destruction: the rise of Avigdor Lieberman

Sophie Team Observers — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:11:24 +0100

Despite the fact that Tzipi Livni's centrist Kadima party gained a majority in the Israel election yesterday, it was rightwing candidate Avigdor Lieberman who held the real victory, according to one of our Israel Observers, Joel Schalit.

Avigdor Lieberman's victory, or so it seems, was preordained. Nothing that the actual winner of yesterday's Israeli elections could do was going to change that, despite the fact Tzipi Livni's incumbent Kadima party received twice as many votes. Even though the second-highest polling Likud party also received more votes, there was little it could do to deny Lieberman's victory either. Indeed, for the past several weeks, Avigdor Lieberman, the head of Israel Beiteinu, the country's fastest-growing party, was increasingly seen to be the next kingmaker in Israeli politics - if not Israel's next prime minister.

Eclipsing the Labour party to take the number three spot in the Knesset (Israel's parliament), the prospects for greater power and influence for the wild-eyed, former nightclub bouncer from Moldova are absolutely undeniable. Running on a simple platform that emphasised almost exclusively anti-Arab themes while using the concept of ‘loyalty to the state' as his campaign's primary branding, Lieberman succeeded in making an avowedly-racist Jewish political party the ideological winner of an Israeli national election.

Though such an event will seem eminently logical to Israel's critics, it signifies the extent to which the country's political environment has come full circle over the course of the past two decades. Indeed, in 1994, Israel's parliament went so far as to ban Israel Beiteinu's predecessor, the racist Kach party, following the murder of 29 Palestinians by one of its members, Baruch Goldstein, in Hebron that same year. The fact that a political party espousing a similar program would now be vying for the country's leadership, let alone was allowed to do so, is proof of this transformation. Even worse, no single political party can form a government without it.

For advocates of peace between Israel and the Palestinians, Lieberman's electoral success leaves zero room for optimism. Not just between Israel and Palestine, but also between the Jewish state and it's Arab citizenry, who make up 20 percent of the country's population. Insisting that those Arabs who do not declare fidelity to the state be deprived of their civil rights, offering to ‘trade' Arab communities inside Israel for settlements in the West Bank, Lieberman has simultaneously promoted civil conflict between Israelis, and reassured residents of the occupied territories that they will be allowed to stay put.

In order to understand why such a worldview would catch such fire in today's Israel, it is important to understand the factors underlying Israel Beiteinu's popularity, as well as that of it's larger sibling, the Likud. First and foremost, the success of the Israeli right is indicative of the fact that Israeli conservatives are simply better organized than their liberal counterparts. They project clearer, more defined political messages, they are better at identifying Israeli social grievances, and are more adept at cooperating with one another across party lines due to a combination of political discipline and ideological affinity.

Secondly, even though half the country is in favor of peace with the Palestinians, and could provide center-left parties with nearly enough votes to govern, there is no leadership in the larger center-left parties to make this happen. Thus, for example, though Kadima could forge a coalition with the smaller Labour and Meretz parties, it would also have to partner with the Sephardi ultra Orthodox party Shas, and the country's three Arab-led parties, Balad, Ra'am-Taal and Hadash to make such a coalition actually work. For a variety of sadly predictable reasons, Livni will not cooperate with any of these additional parties, her own inability to collaborate with religious and non-Jewish ethnic parties being the largest of her problems.

Finally, Israel's present leadership lacks any serious understanding of how dramatically it has misruled the country since it was first elected to power in April 2006. Plagued by every manner of potential social crisis - a shrinking public sector, a deteriorating educational system, even the highest rate of child poverty in the world, though Israel's economy remained relatively stable under Ehud Olmert's leadership - the rest of the country continued to fall apart. That's why though Israel may produce amongst the best technology and film in the world right now, it also increasingly resembles a third world country. Factor in two major wars during this time, in Lebanon and Gaza, and voila.

It is the chaos of situations like these that fosters the rise of stereotypically fascist politicians like Avigdor Lieberman, and his equally toxic ideology. They are natural consequences of their time and place. That Lieberman would triumph precisely at a time when Israel's best friend, the United States, is moving in exactly the opposite political direction, and the European Union is the most involved it has been in regional politics in nearly four decades, underlines the extent of this tragedy. Every opportunity to move forward right now is there. Yet, the Israeli right, eager to make short term political gains for its own narcissistic, selfish reasons, chooses to drive in reverse. If only it didn't have so many unwitting accomplices."

Is Lieberman Israel’s Jean-Marie Le Pen?

Team Observers — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:37:21 +0100

Avigdor Lieberman, nationalist leader of far-right party Yisrael Beiteinu, came third in yesterday's election with 15 seats (out of 120). Israeli Arabs call him racist - even fascist - but how dangerous is he?

The 50-year-old former night-club bouncer from the poor former Soviet republic of Moldova smashed poll ratings in the run-up to the Israeli elections. Known for his hard-hitting and blunt slogans, such as "No loyalty, no citizenship", Lieberman wants Israel's 20-percent Arab minority to prove they love the country, or leave it. (Ironically, he also claims to "speak Arabic," meaning he believes knows how to deal with the Palestinians.)

Lieberman, who once served as an aide to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now his rival for hardline hearts and minds, has called for the execution of Israeli Arab MPs who have had dealings with Hamas, and for Israel to fight Hamas "just like the United States did with the Japanese in World War II."

His mix of secularism and hard talk has struck a chord among Israelis while enraging both ultra-Orthodox voters and Israeli Arabs.

Centrist journalist and former Kibbutz resident Shai Versano says Lieberman's success shows disturbing tendencies within Israeli society. Lieberman campaigner Galy Carmeli-Shrim maintains the leader of the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu merely says what Israelis really think.

Lieberman has been compared to French extreme right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen. We asked Versano and Carmeli-Shrim if they agreed.

"If we don't do something soon there'll be nothing left to secure"

Sophie Team Observers — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:59:44 +0100

Carmel Vaisman, a communication researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, votes for the new Green Party and Meimad.

What is the single most important issue in the election for you personally, and which party will best handle that issue?

The most important issue for me is education, that's why I support the new Green party; it has wide green and social policies and it's the hottest thing on the blogosphere at the moment. All the A-list bloggers support it.

Will Israel's economic situation influence your vote?

Yes, the economy is deteriorating. The war has taken all our attention, everything else is going derelict - social services, education - if we don't do something soon there'll be nothing left to secure.

Do you think the Gaza offensive has improved or worsened Israel's security? Do you feel physically threatened where you live?

No, I don't feel physically at threat. Nothing has changed. Even in the south, they were suffering from rocket strikes and they're still suffering from rocket stricks. The war was pointless as all wars always are.

Worldwide coverage focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What is the one thing you would like outsiders to know about Israel?

I feel like I live in a totally normal country, with normal problems, with a lot of different people. I'm tired of only being represented by the conflict.

Choose a photo that either represents the upcoming Israeli election or that struck you during the campaign.

"I see the election as a huge market where everyone is screaming out and selling only rotten fish. The only light of hope is the new Green party."

"Do we want to maintain our progressive values or get rid of terrorists?"

Sophie Team Observers — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:44:03 +0100

Shai Versano, former Kibbutz resident, works in the media and votes Labour. He prefers to stay anonymous for professional reasons.

What is the single most important issue in the election for you personally, and which party will best handle that issue?

The Palestinians. And I think Labour, [centrist] Kadima and [right-wing] Likud do not differ much in their approach to the Palestinians. However, they do differ in their approach to social issues, to the separation between Judaism and the state, to more liberalism, to values I cherish. That's why I'm voting Labour.

Will Israel's economic situation influence your vote?

No, my only issue is that of budget allocation and Likud gives more money to the ultra-orthodox. Though that's not the whole picture because [Likud leader Benjamin] Netanyahu pushed through a great programme to cut welfare which had been taken exploited by the ultra-orthodox here.

Do you think the Gaza offensive has improved or worsened Israel's security? Do you feel physically threatened where you live?

I feel threatened in the long run. I don't think the Gaza offensive changed the fundamentals. [Ultra-nationalist leader Avigdor] Lieberman says that we live in the Middle East and have to act like the Arab states. But the question is, do we want to maintain our progressive values or get rid of terrorists?

Worldwide coverage focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What is the one thing you would like outsiders to know about Israel?

When the media covers the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they focus on the suffering of the Palestinians. That suffering is true but it must be put into context, the Palestinians also use it in their public diplomatic efforts and to justify acts of aggression.

Choose a photo that either represents the upcoming Israeli election or that struck you during the campaign.

"Lieberman is my poster boy. He is this election's hero, not a good hero, he's our Jean-Marie Le Pen. For me he represents Israeli desperation with the political system."

Israeli election: "Israeli society is hypocritical and full of double standards"

Sophie Team Observers — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Image: "mrieder22" on Flickr

Israelis head to the polls on Tuesday to elect the country's next prime minister. We ask a former Kibbutz resident and Labour supporter, an Israeli Palestinian who supports the Arab party, a rightwing settler, a leftwing Tel Aviv resident and a Green party supporter and researcher, what's on their minds as they prepare to vote.

You can read all of the testimonies here.

Makbula Nasser is an Israeli Palestinian who lives in Arraba and votes for the Arab party Balad.

What is the single most important issue in the election for you personally, and which party will best handle that issue?

For us Palestinians inside Israel, voting in this election is about maintaining our Palestinian identity. I will vote for Balad because they have a clear political vision and women candidates are guaranteed one out of every three Knesset seats."

Will Israel's economic situation influence your vote?

Not really, but when a country encounters economic difficulties, the weaker groups, the most discriminated groups, such as the Palestinians, suffer first. Personally I know a lot of Arabs who lost their jobs recently."

Do you think the Gaza offensive has improved or worsened the security of Israel? Do you feel physically threatened where you live?

No war, no murder has ever improved people's security. Israel will pay the price in the long run. New Palestinian generations will not accept this situation. Do they think the children in Gaza will be silent after what happened? If Israelis want to live in security they should think about this."

Worldwide coverage focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What is the one thing you would like outsiders to know about Israel?

The world should know how Israeli society is hypocritical and full of double standards. Why are they pretending to be the victims? I know what the Jewish people have been through, so why do they do such things to other people?"

Choose an image that either represents the upcoming Israeli election or that struck you during the campaign.

The video is ugly from the beginning to the end but towards the end I could not believe that Livni used pictures of forbidden arms to market herself." [The TV ad for Kadima candidate Tzipi Livni includes alleged footage of phosphorus bombs used during the Gaza offensive.]

Israeli election: "a crucial crossroads"

Sophie Team Observers — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:42:16 +0100

Israelis head to the polls next Tuesday to elect the country's next prime minister. We ask a former Kibbutz resident and Labour supporter, an Israeli Palestinian who backs an Arab party, a right-wing settler, a left-wing Jerusalemite and a Green party supporter and researcher, what's on their mind as they prepare to vote.

You can read all of the testimonies here.

David Bogner, a seasoned blogger, lives in the Israeli settlement Gush Etzion and votes for Likud.

What is the single most important issue in the election for you personally, and which party will best handle that issue?

Without a doubt security, but I'm not sure who I'll vote for, probably Likud, but [ultra-nationalist] National Union is also high on my list. Both have stated policies of not making unilateral concessions and maintaining Israeli deterrence."

Will Israel's economic situation influence your vote?

In a very minor way. When Bibi Netanyahu was finance minister in the Sharon government, he instituted a lot of sweeping reforms which strengthened Israel's economy and currency. These reforms are the only reason why today our economy might be able to weather the financial storms."

Do you think the Gaza offensive has improved or worsened the security of Israel? Do you feel physically threatened where you live?

I think the Gaza operation had a slight positive effect on security but I do not think it was worth the cost. I believe it was done to boost Kadima and Labour's poll ratings. I feel threatened only in so far as I live in a Jewish town close to Arab populations. Shooting incidents, rock throwing, attempts by Arab terrorists are daily occurrences here.

Worldwide coverage focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What is the one thing you would like outsiders to know about Israel?

Israel is a world leader in economy, in education, in patents and science. It produces more scientific advances per capita than any other nation in the world. I wish the world would see that, not only that one or more of its neighbours wants to destroy it.

Choose a photo that either represents the upcoming Israeli election or that struck you during the campaign.

I see the Israeli election as a crucial crossroads... a fork where the electorate will either choose to carry on down the path of unilateral compromise and appeasement, or a new path where we admit to ourselves that while peace may be an admirable goal, it is not a commodity that can be purchased if only one is willing to pay a high enough price."

Israel election: "I don't believe there is any party able to handle the conflict right now"

Sophie Team Observers — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:30:50 +0100

Photo: Meir Partush postée sur Flickr par Maxnathans

Israelis head to the polls next Tuesday to elect the country's next prime minister. In the run-up to the election, we ask a left-wing Tel Aviv resident - our first Observer below -, a former Kibbutz resident and Labour supporter, an Israeli Palestinian who supports the Arab party, a rightwing settler, and a Green party supporter and researcher what's on their minds as they prepare to vote.

Lisa Goldman, a blogger and a journalist, lives in Tel Aviv. She prefers not to reveal who she is voting for.

What is the single most important issue in the election for you personally, and which party will best handle that issue?

I think it has to be the conflict, including the withdrawal of all the occupied territory, and negotiations with all parties including Hamas and Fatah. I don't believe there is any party that can handle that issue right now.

Will Israel's economic situation influence your vote?

No, I don't think any political leaders know how to manage the upcoming economic crisis. Managing the economy needs a lot of attention and the conflict is taking up all of our attention.

Do you think the Gaza offensive has improved or worsened the security of Israel? Do you feel physically threatened where you live?

I do not feel physically threatened where I live. I believe the Gaza offensive might have a long-term effect on Israeli security because Hamas' popularity has risen on the street in the Arab world. It's is difficult for moderate Arab leaders to reach out to Israel.

Worldwide coverage focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What is the one thing you would like outsiders to know about Israel?

Israel is a much more diverse society than portrayed in the media. For instance, the blogoshere in Hebrew is more intellectual and more nuanced than a lot of the blogospere in English. A lot of the media in Hebrew is never translated.

Choose a photo that either represents the upcoming Israeli election or that struck you during the campaign.

Image: Adi Ginat

The caricature shows far-right MP Avigdor Lieberman mimicking John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever as bombs explode over Gaza in the Background."