Israeli election result

The NZ Herald is concerned with the swing to the right in the Israeli election. It may surprise some, that I am also.

Generally I am fairly tribal, and support the centre-right party in most countries. In fact have enjoyed close relations with many in the Australian Libs, US Republicans, UK Conservatives, French UMP, Canadian Conservatives, Taiwanese KMT etc etc.

If I was a voter in Israel though, I would vote for Kadima, not Likud. The Likud policy of actually building more settlements on disputed territory is provocative, and unhelpful in my opinion. And the nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu wants to have a loyalty oath, or you lose your citizenship. Yuck.

The result is not totally surprising though. In previous elections Israelis voted for parties that promoted sacrificing land for peace. And when they unilaterally give up land, and it results in not peace, but thousands of rocket attacks from the very land they unilaterally gave up. Well it explains why they have flocked to those promising a harder line. I think it is the wrong call they have made, but I understand why they have made it.

It is not quite certain what sort of Government will be formed, but as the Herald says, it will be a test for President Obama to keep the peace process moving forward.