Israeli Election Special Newsletter & Invitation

	March 27, 2006

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After a long break in our newsletter, I am pleased to get back into the act, with Nyet, Nyet, Yvette? the first commentary I've written in a while, detailing the extraordinary difficulty of finding a candidate worth voting for in the current election. It's not hard to find who to vote against.... Maybe it's my American upbringing, or maybe I am hoping for an upset, but I am a believer in the importance of voting. If you're an Israeli, go out and do it -- dirty work, but someone has to do it. If you're not Israeli, don't despair -- by signing up for our election day Shmooze, you'll be able to take part in a virtual vote, results of which will be broadcast on Israeli TV. Meanwhile, in reality, there are signs that Kadima continues to weaken, as Ehud Olmert fails to generate excitement and lukewarm supporters of the ruling party increasingly seek out smaller parties -- pensioners, handicapped soldiers, the "green" environmental party, the "green leaf" pro-pot party -- that mean something personally to them rather than submission to the empty and corrupt doublespeak of Olmert and company. Polls do not look good for Labor and Likud either. It's seems that Israel's electorate is in the mood to "throw the bums out." Realistically, any Kadima showing under 30 mandates will be counted as a defeat. On the other hand, both Labor and Likud may have trouble breaking 20. There's an outside shot that Lieberman's Israel Beitenu and perhaps even National Union-NRP could surpass Bibi's moribund Likud. The polls closed at 10pm Israel time (3pm ET), where the exit polls will be announced on Israeli TV channels. Let the best of a bad bunch win! Reuven Koret Publisher TOP OF THE NEWS: Kadima drops in polls, Olmert "hopeful" about unilateral pullout support The centrist Kadima Party dropped in opinion polls a day before Israel's elections, a sign that it could be difficult for acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to establish a ruling coalition. Articles Will Israeli voters, pushing pro-pot party, be too stoned to vote? Green Leaf, pushing for decriminalization of cannabis, may be a surprise victor in Israel's elections, after excellent showings in campus mock polls. Hamas hopes for generous and quick financial support from Arab summit On the eve of an Arab summit, Hamas pressed Arab leaders to increase their support to Palestinians and provide it fast, saying its government will need around $170 million a month. Constitutional questions emerge in case of pro-Israel lobbyists A federal judge questioned the constitutionality of a law under which two former lobbyists with a pro-Israel group have been charged with receiving and disclosing national defense information. Abbas issues "veiled threat" to bring down Hamas' government Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday issued a thinly veiled threat to bring down Hamas' new government if it doesn't change its violent ways. Waiting for election results, US and EU press Israel to open crossings for aid FM Tzipi Livni has assured US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that Gaza crossings will remain open for shipments of aid, so long as there are no security threats. Israel's polls reflect and influence elections, but they're more uncertain than ever Throughout Israel's election campaign, polls have consistently shown the new Kadima Party far ahead of its rivals. So why are pollsters getting nervous with the vote just days away? Union leader with Moroccan roots struggles to keep Labor's core voters When Peretz took over Labor last year, he was hailed as a savior who could bring working class Middle Eastern Jews into the foundering party of Israel's aging European-bred elite. Lieberman, calling for removal of "Arab triangle" from Israel, climbs in polls He wants to swap Arabs for Jews in drawing Israel's final borders and polls indicate that his party will increase its representation in the parliament from 2 to 11 seats. ADL condemns latest outburst By Jew-baiting London mayor Abe Foxman condemned Ken Livingstone for remarks urging two leading Jewish developers to "go back to Iran and try their luck with the ayatollahs..." Israelis head into fateful election with dampened dreams The emerging consensus, advanced by the Kadima Party, is to abandon much of Judea and Samaria, dismantle settlements and withdraw behind a barrier. Abbas to warn Hamas: government will fail if it doesn't recognize Israel Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas plans to warn the incoming government led by Hamas that it has no future unless it agrees to recognize Israel. Peace mission turned away by Libya because of Israeli participants After approaching the Libyan border hand-in-hand and singing songs of peace, it became clear to a mission of Jews, Muslims and Christians that Libya would not let them enter. Jerusalem plans to build cable car to ease traffic in Old City Banking on a continuing rise in tourism, the city of Jerusalem plans to build an $8 million cable car system that will carry visitors from a hill in the modern section of the city to the Western Wall. Al-Qaida sets sights on Israel and Palestinian territories Signs are mounting that al-Qaida terrorists are setting their sights on Israel and the Palestinian territories as their next jihad battleground. Palestinians on verge of civil war? Hamas, Fatah on collision course The militant Islamic Hamas on Wednesday called a special session of parliament to approve its new Cabinet, sweeping aside objections from Abbas over its refusal to recognize Israel. RECENT VIEWS Searching for truth in all the wrong places (like the Knesset) By Paula R. Stern The future of Israel is ours to determine. Ultimately, what we must remember, what we must tell the world, is that Israel isn't going anywhere. Remembering 12 Jews who are no more By Jacob Raines For the families, it is a tragedy beyond comprehension. For the Jewish community, it is a catastrophe. Nyet, Nyet, Yvette? By Reuven Koret A day before the election, I identify with the fastest-growing sector of the electorate, maybe even a majority: disenchanted, floating voters. Have the "Arab Palestinian" Knesset members turned racist? By Ariel Natan Pasko It appears that the longtime "Palestinian" voices in the Israeli Knesset have turned away from equality and integration and toward a separatist racism. Thinking through retreat By Dr. Aaron Lerner A vote for Kadima is a vote for retreat to temporary lines that will only invite Palestinian terror to induce further retreats. Meeting Our People Face to Face By Moshe Kempinski Polls say 35% support Kadima, but we had trouble finding even one. We finally found one, but he wouldn't open his door. He sounded vaguely like Ehud Olmert. Kadima will bring Kassams to Tel Aviv By Stan Goodenough Tel Aviv's Jews have shown little sympathy for threatened Israeli populations in the north and south. If they elect Olmert, they will be endangered too. George Bush's Diplomatic Ambiguities By Rachel Neuwirth Is its message that those who would destroy Israel should follow the deception pioneered by Yasser Arafat, with coaching from the State Department? Bird Flu Over the Cuckoo's Nest By Ellen W. Horowitz Then, when I saw flocks of migratory birds, I'd grab the binocs and rush the kids out to see the sight. Now I yell "duck", grab the kids and run for cover. Olmert must appeal for clemency to Bush, or Jonathan will die By Esther Pollard If the Prime Minister will not respond at once by making an immediate appeal to President Bush, then he personally will be sentencing Jonathan to death. Justice In Time By Micah D. Halpern Israel watched and waited. Israel prepared and Israel persevered. And it all came together on March 14th. A Dangerous Hypocrite By Yehuda Poch Israelis have an aversion to being considered "freiers", or fools. But should they elect Olmert, the price of their foolishness could be their lives. The bright side of Amona By Shmuel Sackett The bloody events at Amona were uplifting, inspirational and extremely motivating. Before Amona I was depressed and frustrated. Today I am flying high. Security: A Guaranteed Winner By Ellen W. Horowitz Myths die hard 'round these parts. But the legend of the battle-weary Israelis, who'd rather rest in peace than fight just battles, bit the dust Purim. Lost in Tel Aviv II By Orit I'm planning to spend Passover -- the time of our liberation -- with my family in the US. It will be somewhat of a pilot trip. All I want is freedom. Briefs Court sentences Moscow synagogue attacker to 13 years in prison Criminal Explosion in Netanya injures three people Israeli air strike kills Palestinian terrorist in Gaza Israeli liaison officers in W. Bank will cut contacts with PA after Hamas takes office Jewish victims of Chilean bus plunge flown back to US U.S. security objections foil Israeli software company's plans Palestinian teenager crawling toward border killed by IDF Israel's Olmert says he'll negotiate with US before more pullouts Israel to put police and army on high alert Sunday, ahead of general election USEFUL LINKS Israel News in English Wiresearch/Newsportals about Israel Israel Insider Yahoo Jerusalem Post Google Israel news (by relevance) Haaretz (English) Google Israel news (by recency) Israel National News   Israel News in Hebrew Other Maariv Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ynet Israel Defense Forces Haaretz CoP/JCPA Daily Alert Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio) WebLog of Mideast Politics Voice of Israel (Second Network) OpinionJournal Best of the Web The Israel Insider daily briefing is a limited circulation newsletter intended for supporters and subscribers only. 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