Israel’s Elections 2006
There is no doubt that Israel's elections is one of the most important elections in the Middle East if not the only one. Other Arab-like elections, voters are killed or wounded or peacefully have their votes rigged. Israel's elections is yet another reminder for the failure of the Arab states and leaderships to establish democracy over half a century of military ruling. In less than 60 years, a tiny country became the only democracy in a vast region, mostly populated with youth. Iraq now with the support of the U.S. and international community is taking leading steps towards democracy. At least, Iraqis have a start.While Arab leaderships are convening in Khartoum to decide on international issues, with the absence of 10 Arab leaders, to bring more failure to the Arab affairs scene, Israel was winning another democracy battle and taking unilateral initiatives as usual. The Israeli people voted for their new government and members of parliament. Winning Kadima leader and acting PM Ehud Olmert announced Israel’s initiative to establish permanent borders for Israel by 2010, leaving no room for any Palestinian or Arab initiatives.
The newly-established party Kadima won 28 seats in the Knesset, opening the way for a coalition government. Kadima’s victory is seen somehow historical. Since the establishment of Israel in 1948, the Likud and the Labor parties were alternating governments in Israel.
As an Egyptian, I find that easiness and smoothness of handing over power from Coma-stricken Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is phenomenal. I cannot imagine that any Middle Eastern country doing so that easily. The fact that Sharon disappeared from the political scene does not mean that the political power or scene in Israel should diminish.
On the other hand, regrettably, Arab leaders in the Middle East work all the time to prove that they are indispensable and that their replacement will always mean instability and chaos or extremist Islamic movements. Despite Israel’s low population in comparison to many neighboring countries, there is always an efficient alternative in Israel.
Congratulations to the Israeli People on their democracy and freedom.
posted by Freedom For Egyptians @ 8:28 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
The sorry state of democracy in the Middle East aside...
you make no mention of Palestinian elections?? They were heralded as the most transparent and democratic in the region-and we don't even have a state yet. The opposition party was allowed to take over power through elections peacefully, usurping Fateh's decade's long grip with no bloodshed. I would call that a model of democracy.
And remember, re: Israel: Democracy is more than just elections (Hitler, after all, was elected democratically)
Laila,
I wrote before about the Palestinian elections and I hailed it as a democratic elections though with the unwanted leadership at least from my opinion. At the end of the day, I am not a Palestinian and my opinion does not represent them. But I wrote about Fatah's corruption. There is no doubt that Hamas made it through transparent ballot boxes.
Citizens make their own choices whether it the devil or anyone else. I do respect every citizen's choice as long as his/her vote was not rigged and went through a transparent process. Israel is a democracy whether we liked it or not.
http://freedomforegyptians.blogspot.com/2006/01/hamas-euphoria-and-worlds-shock.html
Let's not forget that there is an ugly side to Israel's democracy. Israeli-Arabs are systematically treated as second class citizens, and by in large, do not vote during elections. Jews who are not from Europe or North America also face discrimination. You can vote, but that doesn't mean you'll be represented fairly -that is the reality of many democracies.
Fair enough, I did'nt see that article.
Though I don't agree with all of it...
"That will bring an end to those who are living on the Palestinian Cause as parasites.." who might those be? You knwo I'm very sure its easy for you as an Egyptian who got Sinai back, and who have a state adn your arguable freedom (as least economic and social freedoms and freedom to move to wherever you want in your country). Its kind of ironic that we as Palestinains have no state, no freedom of movement, no economy, no control over ours skies and borders and air and bread, but have more political freedom than Egyptians.
You also say:
"If Israeli Prime Minister and former leader of the conservative Likud Party Ariel Sharon, God give him health, wanted to bring peace between the Palestinian and the Israeli peoples..."
You are equating Sharon with Hamas? And you honestly believe Sharon wanted peace? Believe me, I have spoken to many, many authorities on Sharon (Israeli historians including his biographer) NONE of them believe he wanted peace. He was a strategist and pragmatist at best. His goal was securing the Jewish people and the state of Israel; if he best way to come about this was leaving Gaza's settlements (and keeping Gaza controlled at the same time from the outside, at expense of its people's lives) in order to secure areas of the West Bank, and of course Jerusalem, then so be it. He has no regard for the lives we live as Palestinians.
I'm sorry to say Israeli hasbara has been all too successful in showing the bright light that is Israle and her democracy and successes-didn't you also hear they made the desert bloom? And had a land without a people for a people without a land?
My point is-sure, the Israeli system is much more democratic than any other Middle Eastern country. But does that exhonerate the system from its other fatal falls and crimes? Should we sing the praises of the Israeli democracy as the pillar of the Middle East? Can you be a democracy and only allow Jews to become citizens of your country? My own husband, who is from Haifa and whose village was destoryed, cannot go back-in fact he cannot even visit me in Gaza. Yet if you are a person whose great-great-great-grandmother was Jewish, you can claim immediate citizenship there.
Democracy is a beautiful thing, when you belong to the right group, aint it?
Annon 11:45
Apparently, you are watching and listening to your Arab local media.
Arab Israelis have equal voting rights and they represent ninth of the eligible voters in Israel.
Please read more on Israel's politics.
Interesting to hear ONE Arab honest courageous voice about Israel's real beauty.
The world is tired of constant radical Arab racists hijacking the Arab Muslim world in their fascism that began since the palestinian Mufti met with Hitler and since he started to lead the massacres of Jews in 1929 Hebron - palestine/Israe as well as in 1941 Iraq - pogrom 'farhum'.
It's time for the Islamo Arab world to realize that not only do Arab Muslims live with better rights inside Israel, (unless you are a terrorist) but Israeli courts often prefer Arabs' rights over Israeli Jews' right this making the Israeli Arabs FIRST CLASS citizens.
Not to mention Israel DEPORTING own Israeli Jewish brothers from Gaza ONLY for the sake of Arabs in a hope for peace VS palestinians that voted for more GENOCIDE BOMBERS.
Israel is not Arab Muslims' enemy, but self destructive Arab Muslim militants are EVERYONE'S ENEMY.
Only the few have spoken out like:
Islam 4 Israel
_________________
http://lightonthings.blogspot.com - The Reality Show
Now I know who you are. You are part of Israel's propaganda. I'm disappointed.
Hussain you are a disgrace to all of us Arabs.
Get the heck off that Jihadi propaganda to call slam any non Jihadi line with cheap slogans, anyone that has a sane voice is a "propagnda"?
Can't you grasp a healthy voice ONCE in your bitter lifetime?
Then we worry why our image is so down the drain.
what bs. first u say they are the only peaceful transition in the middle east, then you admit that the palestinians had elections too. OOps didnt do your homework.
What about the fact that israel had elected a God damn war criminal. Wow what bravery. An Arab in the United States praising Israel. So now you are the Good Arab or Good Egyptian.
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