Israeli Elections. One Election Poll Shows A Close Result. Another Exit Poll Shows A Defeat for Prime Minister Netanyahu

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Jerusalem Post: Gantz vs. Netanyahu: Both claim victory amid split exit polls

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party finished second with 33 seats, according to Channel 12. Blue and White takes 37.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz each declared that they won Tuesday's election after inconclusive exit polls were broadcast on the three Israeli networks.

Netanyahu claimed victory, because his Right-Center bloc won handily over Gantz's Center-Left bloc in polls broadcast on Channel 13 and KAN, 66 to 54 and 64 to 56, respectively. In Channel 12's poll, the blocs were even at 60 seats.

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Update: Netanyahu, Gantz both declare victory as exit polls split (Times of Israel)

WNU Editor:The final result will be known tomorrow.

More Remarks From Israel's Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon gestures while addressing a gathering during a lecture in New Delhi, Feb. 19, 2015. (photo by REUTERS/Adnan Abidi)

i24 News: Israeli defense chief criticizes West's lack of 'grand strategy' in Syria

Security officials skeptical of ceasefire agreement; view 'sectarian enclaves' as only solution in Syria
Israeli defense minister Moshe Ya'alon lauded Israel's back-channel ties with Gulf and North African states on Sunday, and criticized the West's lack of a "grand strategy" in Syria, which he says has left Sunni Arab states "frustrated and furious".

Ya'alon, attending the global security conference in Munich this weekend, said that Israeli officials were meeting representatives from Arab countries in secret, Haaretz reported.

"Iran is the bad guy for us and for the Sunni regimes. They are not shaking hands [with Israelis] in public, but we meet in closed rooms," Ya'alon said.

"For them, Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood are the enemy," he added.

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More News On Israel's Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon

Ya’alon: Israel decided from day 1 not to intervene in Syria -- Times of Israel
Syria Will Not Return to What It Was Before the Civil War, Ya'alon Says -- Haaretz
Israeli defense chief says Iran 'biggest generator of terrorism in the world' -- i24 News
Israeli Defense Minister Says Ready to Work With Arab Countries on Syria Strategy -- Algemeiner

Israelis Go To The Polls -- News Updates March 17, 2015

VOX: Israel is voting today. Here are the very basics

* Israelis vote today in a national election, the first since 2013, to form their next government. The country has a parliamentary system, which means Israelis vote for parties rather than individuals.
* Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud is in a very tight race with the center-left Zionist Union, led by Isaac Herzog.
* Polls have broken Herzog's way recently, but Israel's complicated political system makes it almost impossible to know which party will end up leading the government. So it's not clear whether Netanyahu will remain prime minister or not.
* Preliminary results will probably start coming in very late Tuesday night eastern US time at the earliest, but exit polls will be available around 4 pm.

Israelis Go To The Polls -- News Updates March 17, 2015

Israel Election -- Arutz Sheva
Israel election -- Haaretz
Israel News Coverage -- i24 news
Election coverage -- Times of Israel
Israel Election -- YNet news
Israel election live blog -- Haaretz
Race to the Knesset: Follow the latest Election Day updates -- Jerusalem Post
Israel Elections: Live Coverage of the Vote and Results -- NYT
Israeli elections: 4th term or end of Netanyahu era? LIVE UPDATES -- RT
WATCH LIVE: Israeli Election Results -- Mediaite

Israel election: Netanyahu seeks new term in tight race -- BBC
Israelis vote as 'King Bibi's' reign hangs in the balance -- Reuters
Benjamin Netanyahu Front and Center for Today's Israeli Elections -- ABC News
Israelis go to polls after bitter election campaign -- The Guardian
Israel votes in poll seen as referendum on Netanyahu -- Al Jazeera
Israel Election: High Turnout as Millions Head to Polls -- NBC
Israelis voting with Netanyahu's job on the line -- CBS/AP
Israel votes in tightly-contested election -- Deutsche Welle
As Israel votes, Netanyahu takes swipe at Arabs -- AP
Endangered Netanyahu warns supporters that Arabs are voting “in droves” -- Salon
Israel’s election is too close to call, but here are some possible scenarios -- The Guardian
How Israel's Next Government Will Be Decided -- Creede Newton, VICE News
Israel elections: Netanyahu's last-gasp vow to his base – a dead peace process -- Dan Murphy, CSM
Israel Election: What You Need to Know, From Candidates to Coalitions -- NBC
Jpost exclusive: Netanyahu and Herzog explain why they deserve your vote -- Jerusalem Post
Factbox: Main candidates in Israel's election -- Reuters

Early Elections Called In Israel

PM at Tuesday's press conference (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu calls early elections -- Jerusalem Post

Netanyahu says elections must be held "as soon as possible," a minimum of 3 months after dissolution of Knesset, asserts that the current Knesset will not be able to pass responsible budget.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced early elections on Tuesday evening, saying they must be held "as soon as possible."

In a televised press conference, Netanyahu said that following meetings with coalition partners earlier in the day, he had come to the conclusion that the current Knesset would not be possible to pass a responsible budget, and therefore it was in the nation's best interest to hold early elections.

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More News On Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Calling Early Elections

Netanyahu announces early elections -- Haaretz
PM: Elections to be held early -- YNet News
Netanyahu calls early election for Israel -- CNN
Netanyahu announces early Israeli election -- Reuters
Israel election: Prime Minister Netanyahu calls early poll -- BBC
Binyamin Netanyahu calls early general election in Israel -- The Guardian
Israel PM calls early election -- AFP
Israel's Netanyahu calls for early elections amid budget crunch -- L.A. Times
Israeli leader calls for early elections -- Houston Chronicle/AP
Netanyahu Calls for Early Israeli Elections Amid Budget Impasse -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Factbox: Political parties in Israel as early election called -- Reuters

Why Is Israel's Defense Officials Meeting With Israel's Top Rabbi?

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Photo by Michal Fattal

Israeli Defense Officials Consult With Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Over Iran Strike -- Haaretz

Some want the spiritual leader of ultra-Orthodox party Shas to support a strike, others to oppose it. At least one visit, in which the rabbi was briefed on Iran's nuclear program, came at Netanyahu's behest.

Senior defense officials have recently been visiting the ultra-Orthodox Shas party's spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, to discuss a possible Israeli attack on Iran.

Some want the 91-year-old rabbi to support it, others to oppose it. At least one visit, in which the rabbi was briefed on Iran's nuclear program, came at the behest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is battling for support in the cabinet to strike Iran.

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Update #1: Report: Netanyahu Pressuring Rabbi Yosef to Support Iran Strike -- Arutz Sheva
Update #2: Rabbi Ovadia Yosef briefed on Iran -- YNet

My Comment: This is disturbing. Mixing religion with decisions that need to be made on national security is never a good option.

Israel's Coalition Government Collapses

Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Shaul Mofaz back in May Photo: REUTERS

Israel's Largest Party Walks Out Of Benjamin Netanyahu's Coalition -- The Telegraph

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, was forced to consider calling an early general election on Tuesday night after the largest party in the country's parliament walked out of his ruling coalition.

Just two months after joining a unity government, Shaul Mofaz led his Kadima party into opposition after failing to secure legislation extending conscription to Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jews.

Mr Mofaz also resigned as deputy prime minister as negotiations over a new law on army service collapsed.

"Kadima has decided to resign from the national unity government," Mr Mofaz said.

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More News On The Collapse Of Israel's Coalition Government

Israeli coalition unravels as centrist Kadima party quits over draft dispute -- Washington Post
Israeli Premier Netanyahu's coalition crumbles with Kadima exit -- L.A. Times
Unity Government in Israel Disbanding Over Dispute on Draft -- New York Times
Israel's Kadima party quits Netanyahu government -- Reuters
Israeli government loses main coalition partner -- CNN
Netanyahu Coalition Loses Major Ally in Dispute Over Draft Law -- Bloomberg
Kadima quits Israel government over conscription law -- BBC
Israeli Coalition comes crashing down -- Globe and Mail

Former Israeli Premier Olmert Cleared Of Most Corruption Charges

Israel ex-PM Olmert Guilty Of Breach Of Trust -- Al Jazeera

Former leader declares victory after court finds him guilty on one corruption charge, but acquits him of two others.

An Israeli court has acquitted former prime minister Ehud Olmert on two key corruption charges while finding him guilty on a lesser charge, in a verdict he hailed as just.

The Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday cleared Olmert on charges of receiving cash-stuffed envelopes and falsely billing trips abroad multiple times, but convicted him on the charge of granting favours to a former colleague during his time as a minister.

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More News On The Legal Problems Of Former Israeli Premier Olmert

Former Israeli Premier Is Cleared of Most Corruption Charges -- New York Times
Former Israeli premier Ehud Olmert cleared of charges that drove him from office -- Washington Post
Former Israeli prime minister Olmert cleared of key corruption charges -- Christian Science Monitor
Israel's Olmert acquitted on major corruption charges -- Reuters
Ex-Israeli Prime Minister Olmert cleared in corruption case -- FOX News/AP
Ehud Olmert hints at political comeback -- The Telegraph
Buoyed by Acquittals, Can Former Israeli P.M. Olmert Resurrect His Political Career? -- Karl Vick, Time

Israel's Spies Are In Open Revolt Against Their Government

Israel's Spy Revolt -- Foreign Policy

The war of words over an Israeli attack on Iran is splitting the political leadership from military and intelligence chiefs. And that dangerous divide in Jerusalem might well lead to real war.

Something has gone very wrong with Israel's posture on Iran's nuclear program. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak lead a confrontational approach -- including dramatic interviews and speeches to U.S. audiences that have convinced many that Israel might soon strike Iran's nuclear facilities -- the former heads of Israel's intelligence agencies have come out publicly against the government's position. First, Meir Dagan -- who headed the Mossad until late 2010 and coordinated Israel's Iran policy -- called an attack on Iran "the most foolish thing I've heard." In April, Yuval Diskin -- the previous head of the domestic intelligence service, the Shin Bet -- voiced a scathing and personal critique of Netanyahu and Barak. Diskin questioned not only the leaders' policy, but also their very judgment and capacity to lead, warning against their "messianic" approach to Iran's nuclear program.

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My Comment: I expect these military/intelligence officials will quickly fall in line when the new coalition government in Jerusalem starts to articulate a common Iranian policy. But for the moment .... these former (and current) spy masters are making their opinions widely known.

New Unity Formed In Israel. Elections Are Cancelled

Israel Forms Unity Government, Wards Off September Elections -- CNN

Jerusalem (CNN) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud party have agreed to form a unity government with the rival centrist political faction Kadima in a move that will put off elections until late next year and create one of the largest coalition governments in Israeli history.

The deal was reached early Tuesday morning between Netanyahu and Kadima Party leader Shaul Mofaz, a day after Netanyahu had publicly called for early elections to be held September 4.

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More News On A New Unity Government Being Formed In Israel

Israeli premier Netanyahu unveils unity government -- AP
Netanyahu surprise gives Israel grand coalition -- Reuters
In surprise move, Netanyahu, Mofaz agree to form unity government, cancel early elections -- Haaretz
Early Israeli elections canceled amid speculation of Iran attack -- FOX News/AP
Netanyahu, stunning Israel by forging unity bloc, defends move as pro-stability -- Haaretz
Israel's Netanyahu strikes surprise coalition deal -- The Guardian
Israel PM in shock deal with rivals -- Sydney Morning Herald
Israeli political allies, foes stunned by elections cancellation, unity government -- Xinhuanet
Israel deal does not make a strike on Iran less likely -- The Guardian
Netanyahu's power play pays off -- Jonathan Marcus, BBC
Unity deal gives Israel’s Netanyahu a free hand on Iran -- Patrick Martin, Globe and Mail

My Comment: This is a surprise, and tells me that there must be a very good reason (that they are not telling us) on why this coalition government was formed.

Early Elections Called In Israel

Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, said at a Likud party meeting that he wants to call an early general election. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Israeli PM Calls for Early Parliamentary Elections -- Voice of America

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called for early parliamentary elections, indicating that he would like them to be held in four months. Mr. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition has been one of the most stable in recent times. But there were growing divisions, primarily over domestic issues.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the dissolution of his coalition government more than a year before scheduled elections and told cheering members of his Likud party that he would like elections to be held in September.


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More News On Early Elections Called In Israel

Netanyahu Calls for Early Elections in Israel -- New York Times
Netanyahu calls for early general election in Israel -- BBC
Benjamin Netanyahu calls early Israel election -- The Telegraph
Netanyahu to seek Israeli election on Sept 4 -- Reuters
Netanyahu calls for early polls in Israel -- New York Daily News
Netanyahu: Speedy elections will stabilize Israel's political system -- Haaretz
Israel to Hold Elections in Four Months -- Epoch Times
Israel’s move toward vote may shelve an Iran strike -- Stars and Stripes/L.A. Times
Early elections means Netanyahu is taking his foot off the Iran pedal -- Haaretz

Where Does Israeli Security Officials Stand On Attacking Iran?

Where Does The Israeli Security Establishment Stand On Attacking Iran? -- Christian Science Monitor

A look at disclosed positions.

In an interview released Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak made no bones about attacking the commitment to Israel's security of two retired senior security officials.

Former Mossad boss Meir Dagan and former Shin Bet boss Yuval Diskin have joined former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in recent weeks in warning against an Israeli attack on Iran any time soon. Mr. Barak dismissed their views as serving Iranian interests, saying the "Olmert gang is traveling around the world and speaking in a way that is serving Iran."

With Israeli elections now looking set for early September, and already being framed by the Israeli press as a referendum on the hawkish Iran policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, expect a flood of statements, arguments and analysis on this issue in the months ahead.

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My Comment: More doves than hawks in this group .... but in the end .... it will be a political decision to strike Iran .... not a military one.

Israel's Ex-Intelligence Chief Critical Of PM's Stance On Iran

Israel Ex-Security Chief Says Leadership 'Misleading Public' On Iran -- BBC

The former head of Israel's domestic intelligence agency has accused the country's leadership of "misleading" the public on the merits of a possible military strike on Iran.

Yuval Diskin said an attack might speed up any attempt by Iran to obtain a nuclear bomb.

The comment follows remarks by other leading figures contradicting the prime minister and defence chief's views on the subject.

Iran denies it is seeking nuclear arms.

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More News On Ex-Spy Chief Yuval Diskin Criticisms Of The Israeli Government's Stance On Iran

Former Shin Bet chief: Netanyahu not interested in peace talks -- Haaretz
Israel ex-spy warns against "messianic" Iran war -- The Economist
Ex-Israeli Security Chief Questions Current Leadership -- New York Times
Israeli ex-intel chief slams PM's Iran stance -- Houston Chronicle/AP
Ex-Israeli spy boss attacks Netanyahu and Barak over Iran -- The Guardian
Shin Bet chief's vote of no confidence is another blow to Netanyahu and Barak -- Haaretz
'Diskin continues legacy of moronic Shin Bet leaders' -- YNet News
Politicians slam Diskin over 'crude' comments -- Jerusalem Post

Israelis Believe Iran Strike Will Lead To War With Hamas, Hezbollah

Haaretz Poll: 80% Of Israelis Believe Iran Strike Will Lead To War With Hamas, Hezbollah -- Haaretz

According to a Haaretz-Dialog poll, 59% of respondents say Iran attack would likely cause a regional war, while 20% believe that the probability of war is unlikely or entirely improbable.

A large majority of Israeli citizens believe that a military operation in Iran will lead to a regional flare-up with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and Hezbollah to the north of Israel in Lebanon, a Haaretz poll revealed Thursday.

According to a Haaretz-Dialog poll, 80% of respondents said they believed an attack on Iran will lead to war with Hamas and Hezbollah. 59% of respondents said they believe that it is highly likely that such a scenario will occur and 21% said that it is fairly likely that it will occur. Meanwhile, 20% said that the probability of a war is unlikely or entirely improbable.

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My Comment: Not only will there be war with Hamas and Hezbollah .... but also with every Iranian proxy group in the world.

Is Israel's Intelligence Services Undercuting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's Iran Strategy?

Israel has successfully test-fired a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and striking Iran. Photograph: Baz Ratner/Reuters

Israeli PM Orders Investigation Into Iran Leak -- The Guardian

Kuwaiti paper says Binyamin Netanyahu believes the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet may have leaked plans for attack.

Israel's prime minister has ordered an investigation into alleged leaks of plans to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, it has been reported.

According to the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jarida, the main suspects are the former heads of the Mossad and the Shin Bet, respectively Israel's foreign and domestic intelligence agencies.

Netanyahu is said to believe that the two, Meir Dagan and Yuval Diskin, wanted to torpedo plans being drawn up by him and Ehud Barak, the defence minister, to hit Iranian nuclear sites. Tzipi Livni, leader of the opposition Kadima party, is also http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifsaid to have been persuaded to attack Netanyahu for "adventurism" and "gambling with Israel's national interest".

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My Comment: More news on dissention in the Israeli government on what to do with Iran can be read here.

Poll: Israelis Split On Attacking Iran

Image from Middle East Perspective

Haaretz Poll: Israelis Evenly Split Over Attacking Iran -- Haaretz

Haaretz-Dialog poll shows 52 percent of Israelis trust PM Netanyahu and DM Barak's 'on the Iranian issue,' while 37 percent do not, only 11 percent had no opinion.

Israelis are almost evenly split on whether Israel should attack Iran's nuclear facilities, with 41 percent supporting such a strike and 39 percent opposed, a new Haaretz-Dialog poll has found. The remaining 20 percent said they were undecided.

The poll, which queried both Jewish and Arab respondents, also asked whether people trusted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak "on the Iranian issue." Here the answer was more clear-cut, with 52 percent saying they did, compared to 37 percent who did not. Only 11 percent had no opinion.

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My Comment: These are shocking numbers. A slim majority favor war against Iran with all of its consequences .... an unbelievable position to have in view of the destruction that will come out of it.

Vote Shifts Israel's Likud Party Sharply Right

From The L.A. Times:

In a blow to party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, members elect a slate of hard-liners for upcoming national elections. The move is a boost for Tzipi Livni's Kadima party.

Reporting from Jerusalem -- Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu suffered a blow to his efforts to present a moderate face for his Likud Party after members elected a hard-line slate of candidates at the expense of more moderate names that the former prime minister had championed.

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