Many are troubled by the tone of the election and the repercussions for peace and stability. Peace, because of Netanyahu's statement that there will no Palestinian state and that the "Arab hordes" are turning out to vote. The 20% Arab-Israeli are citizens and have the right like their Jewish counter-part to vote and demonising them sounds too much like the stereotyping that Jews have encountered in the past.
Many commentators have expressed their concerns, like Yossi Sarid, 21/3, in Haaretz " Would we respect someone who has turned lying and racism into his stock in trade if he were the head of the Zionist Union?" or Gershom Corenberg " Netanyahu's finale dealt a body blow to Israeli democracy. The election was a defeat for democracy in Israel" 19/3 or Carolina Landsmann "Like the arrogant tragic hero, Israel is hurtling toward a certain nightmarish future convinced "it wont happen to me". Since where else in the world can a Prime Minister speak the way our PM does?".
Netanyahu feeling the stings of rebuke, from home and abroad rushed to apologise, but it was immediately rejected by the head of the third-placed Arab List, Ayman Odeh who said " He incited against citizens who were exercising basic right to vote for the Knesset."The White House was also not convinced by this turn-around, saying it was reassessing its relations. The USA has used its veto, many times in the UN Security Council to stop condemnation of Israel.
In his desperation to remain in power, Netanyahu has place Israel's interest behind his ambition. He won the election but Israel has lost.
Many commentators have expressed their concerns, like Yossi Sarid, 21/3, in Haaretz " Would we respect someone who has turned lying and racism into his stock in trade if he were the head of the Zionist Union?" or Gershom Corenberg " Netanyahu's finale dealt a body blow to Israeli democracy. The election was a defeat for democracy in Israel" 19/3 or Carolina Landsmann "Like the arrogant tragic hero, Israel is hurtling toward a certain nightmarish future convinced "it wont happen to me". Since where else in the world can a Prime Minister speak the way our PM does?".
Netanyahu feeling the stings of rebuke, from home and abroad rushed to apologise, but it was immediately rejected by the head of the third-placed Arab List, Ayman Odeh who said " He incited against citizens who were exercising basic right to vote for the Knesset."The White House was also not convinced by this turn-around, saying it was reassessing its relations. The USA has used its veto, many times in the UN Security Council to stop condemnation of Israel.
In his desperation to remain in power, Netanyahu has place Israel's interest behind his ambition. He won the election but Israel has lost.
