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What a Short, Strange Trip It Has Been
On January 28, 2003, the Likud party, led by Ariel Sharon, defeated Labor's Amram Mitzna in the biggest landslide in the history of Israeli politics. Sharon and the Likud attacked Mitzna's call for unilateral withdrawal from Gaza Strip and the construction of a security barrier. Sharon's message of strength, rejection of unilateral moves without changes among the Palestinians and his sidelining of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, were key ingredients in his monumental victory.
Six months after Sharon's triumph, Israel accepted the Roadmap peace plan that openly called for the creation of a Palestinian state. Then, in December 2003-less than one year after the elections-Sharon laid out his vision for unilaterally "disengaging" from Gaza and Northern Samaria. This announcement, along with the building of the security barrier, meant that Sharon had adopted the very platform that led to Labor's dismal results in 2003 elections.
As Sharon forged ahead with his plans for Disengagement, he lost key coalition partners and invited Labor into his government in order to ensure his government's survival. Labor, seeing their policies put into place by their long-time nemesis, was happy to provide political cover. On the strength of Labor's support and the assumption that Labor leader Shimon Peres would continue as leader of the Labor party, Sharon boldly predicted that his would be only the fourth government in the history of Israel to complete a full four-year term. However, in late November, Amir Peretz defeated Shimon Peres in Labor party primaries and promptly pulled Labor out of Sharon's government, leading to elections.
Knowing that he faced a tough internal challenge to his leadership if he remained in Likud, Prime Minister Sharon decided to leave the party he helped to create to from a new, Centrist Party-Kadima. As the first sitting Prime Minister to start a new party, Sharon set the wheels in motion for what many observers have called 'Israel's Political Big Bang,' the long awaited re-shuffling of the Israeli political landscape. The long-term results of Sharon's move are unknown, but one thing is clear...on March 28, 2006, Israelis will go to the polls and what will happen on March 29 is anyone's guess.
A Watershed Event
These elections are being cast as a potential watershed event in the country's history. Israelis, having suffered through five difficult years of war and a flagging economy, are beginning to see a brighter future. For the first time, there are three major parties to choose from and the economy may be the one dominant issue facing voters. Will Israelis choose a new party led by a recognizable leader or will they opt for a new leader of an old party? Will the Likud-landslide victors in 2003-fall by the wayside or rebound in response to Sharon's departure?
What's Your Opinion? You Decide!
While you may not be a citizen of Israel, casting a vote on IsraelVotes.com helps strengthen democratic values. As you learn about Israel's vibrant democracy, we encourage you to explore the issues facing the country and get to know the key political parties and players.
Then, when you've made your decision, cast your vote!
© Copyright 2005-06 by Upstart Activist - Effective Israel Activism. All rights reserved. We welcome your comments and suggestions info@upstartactivist.com.
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