In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Dennis, Richmond VA — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:00:35 GMT

They need to vote for their representatives directly, as well as the PM.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:00:47 GMT

Sometimes this could prove more interesting to watch than American politics. How many Arab countries do you hear this about: that elections are held with little violence and there are peaceful rallies of the possible victorious parties. There needs to be cooperation from many parties to have a government. How many Arab countries can say that?

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

The Slaw, San Diego, CA — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:02:37 GMT

It may be messy, but it's more representative than in our country. We have two parties that are owned by corporate money. They have many parties representing their constituents' interests.

Oh, and those in power, when they loose their popularity, can be replaced, unlike here with you know who.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

TheTruthShallSet U Free — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:05:24 GMT

All Obama has to do, and it would have been better if clinton had done it over 10 years ago, maybe we wouldn't have had 911, would be to anounce to the world that Isreal has no special place on our ally list. Our allies include any country that lets the people lead and respects their human rights to the letter. Also, because many christians in this nation aren't taught, and don't have the gumption to research the torah, that there, according to the jewish religion, that their can't be a Jewish State ( Isreal) until the coming of the Messiah, which christians beleive was jesus, but jews don't. Soooooo did the Messiah show up and the jews kept it a secret? Or do the Jews who shot palestinian women and children and soldiers not beleive in the coming of the messiah? People will be violent until the sun dies and the earth tears itself apart, it's in our nature. Jews are not the chosen people, god loves us all the same, in fact he doesn't see jews and christians and muslims, he only sees children, acting like children.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Elliot Round Rock Texas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:13:06 GMT

No matter what is decided I hope Israeli Arabs and Palestinians aren't further marginalized by the winning coalition. Israeli newspapers don't tend to inspire much hope that non-Jewish people in the area aren't in for a lot more anguish as the winners try to prove they are the toughest.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

SWL — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:32:52 GMT

the answer is to have a run off election - something that has been brought up many times but never gotten anywhere - however - please note - as messed up as Israel's system is - it is still the only democracy in the middle east...try having elections in any of the other countries ... ( ahem , cough) - and please don't count any election in any of the other countries that have one choice on the ballot as free.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

frank magistro forty fort,pa — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:33:00 GMT

this means the end eventually fo israel. hamas was elected by palestians to destroy israel. in this election the people of israel had a chance todo the same thing. elect someone who would destroy gaza. israel will be destroyed because the jews are divided and they act like hamas is kidding in their mision to destroy israel. palestinians in israel which dont beleive in democracy are using this tactic to con jews toallow them to participate in the political process becaus thye know that they eventually become the majority and then the jews will be kicked out of israel. so they yell about democracy and thei rights which they will deny all jews oncethe in power. this is one way that the jews will allow the palestnians to destroy them. the leader of likud understand this and other ways that the palestinians are out to destroy them. it is sad that the people of israel do not realize that their lives and country are at stake and made ahuge mistake by not electing the likud party with a huge majority. a sad day indeed for israel.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

wbpjr, Los Angeles — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:33:04 GMT

We have seen this "representational" form of government fail time and time again all over the world (can you say "Italy"). Rather than protecting the interests of legitimate minority parties, it allows fringe elements to excersize more power than their numbers would otherwise allow, holding the interests of the majority hostage. True coalitions can result in the types of compromises necessary to keep a healthy democracy functioning, but the Israeli system does not foster true coalitions. What the long suffering people of that region end up with instead is a dysfunctional system where people vote against a foe rather than for a champion. That's not much of a choice.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

zevabramov — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:34:07 GMT

who cares about isreal we americans have our own problems. Stop controling the american media with
isrealy news and we all know who controls the
american or the wolds media.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Steve/Cleveland/Ohio — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:36:09 GMT

Unfortunately, Israel is a nation with a system of more-or-less controlled anarchy as a political process. The political process is afraid to exclude any party for fear that could spark resentment of the government and make it difficult to govern. If there were a million parties, the system would insure that, somehow, they would all be represented. It is almost as if Israel adopted democracy as the best compromise of all possible systems, even though Israelis aren't always as democratically minded as they like to believe they are.

The system is afraid to leave out anybody, because, to do so, would create clandestine attempts to discredit those in power or make it difficult to govern a population whose members think themselves reasonable, but the other guy, some sort of "prima-donna." So far, the Israeli people have generally hung together during various crises, but that could change with an exceptionally bad crisis, a possible nuclear war, a grave economic recession, or a major natural disaster.

What galls me is that when Israelis aren't fighting real enemies, they often pick fights with each other. Just one that comes to mind occured before the first Intifada, around 2000. Remember all those debates in the Holy Land about "Who is a Jew? And who isn't?" Arguments that really alienated many of the non-orthodox U.S. Jewish population. Stuff like that

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Craig Losby, McGrath, alaska — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:43:33 GMT

Boy, that was an intelagent report; "I don't like Israel and their politacal system is flawed". Americans never vote against the person they dislike or feare the most?

And yes, lets get more evenhanded with the terrorists, they need to be armed so that they can kill equal numbers of innocent people. But, by the way, who is a combatant and who is not in Gaza?

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

R.A. Shapiro, Houston, Texas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:53:00 GMT

I take umbrage with your accusation regarding Israeli military tactics in Gaza. What Israel did is pusillanimous, in comparison of what America has done in Iraq and Afghanistan. What about America dropping two nucleur bombs on Japan and killing 200,000 civilians. Is this disproportionate retaliation for 2400 dead Americans at Pearl Harbor? The Japs had it coming and so do the Gazans.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

JTW, Seattle, WA, USA — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:53:49 GMT

Bibi cannot bring peace.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Chuck, Appleton, WI — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:02:16 GMT

Israel is moving towards a Jewish Theocracy anyway. That should solve everything.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

mike lonkouski, cordoba, argentina — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:13:27 GMT

And here we are, stuck with only 2 parties to choose from, on the polar opposite end of the universe, and we can't even produce a viable third party. What a mess, where is a good dictator when you need one? Oh well...

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Julian, Yreka, CA — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:28:47 GMT

I think it depends on what your definition of ideal government is. The author assumes that a powerful government is good, presumably due to pressing concern. But is that really good. What if a powerful government meant even greater military action by Israel? What if it meant total inaction and complacency? The idea with such coalition governments is that its value is precisely due to the tenuous nature of the power allowed -- no one can do something drastic unless it is overwhelmingly supported. I'm not sure why we in US like the idea of handing so much power to one guy/party, then holding them on a pedestal while they get the country into extreme situations. Moderation can be a good thing too.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Brian, Long Beach, CA — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:33:51 GMT

Avigdor Lieberman is the true masculinist hero who can lead Israel to victory against Iran, the Arabs, and even president Hussein-Obama. When he becomes Prime Minister, then history will turn to our favor.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

jon — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:38:32 GMT

The secrity and stablilty of Israel can only be sure if it has a peace process with its neighbours.
As long as there are hawkish politicians coming into power, it will be constant state of war- a never ending spiral of insecurity and continued excuse for violence. Someone will have to step forwrd boldly and satnd up for peace and not more wars. I am sure there will be a reciprocity of similar response from the neighbours, if not soon surely in the near future

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Buena Park, CA — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:19:22 GMT

What amazes me the most are people who judge other countries, did we not just go through and election to which most voted for the other guy, not because of experience or intelligence, but because they didn't want the other party. Figures, everyone is critical of others positions,when we did the same thing...the old saying "look at the pot calling the kettle black."

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Tom A. Milstein, New York, NY — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:54:32 GMT

Fletcher's report boils down to this: since a majority repudiated the policies I support (continue giving land to the Palestinians no matter how many rockets they send Israel in gratitude), Israel cannot be a democracy. Democracy is when my point of view prevails; everything else is incipient fascism.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

steve hoffer, winnipeg, MB — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:54:34 GMT

when a government has more power, more gets done, good or bad.

when a government has less power, less can be accomplished.

Israel is at a severely hampered when it comes to policy since it has no strong government and exists in an area where government control is by and large complete.

Israel's inability to make decisive decisions is a significant reason why they have problems from the palistinians. nothing they decide to do sticks for any period of time.

you will notice that the most significant movement in the direction of a peace between the palistinians and the israellis occured when a comparatively strong government controlled israel, one that was able to make good its threats... and carry out its promises.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Christy Elmasri, Carter Lake, Iowa — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:29:03 GMT

I hope they never get it right because as long as they have an unstable government, the state of Israel is kept off balance. More than likely, the Bush/Cheney like "Bibi" will get a majority but that too will fail! Can it be that God is telling them something with this scewed election? Look after Israel and leave the Palestinian People alone!

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

M Ariely — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:36:35 GMT

Regarles the name of Israel PM peace will be achived pending:

ARABS RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL AS A JEWSH STATE

In 1947:
Israel acepted Palestine as the 23 Arab state
Arbs did’t accept Israel as the only 1 Jewsh state

Without accepting Israel as a Jewish state all the talks and agreements are only temporary tactics leading to the desire of total Israel disctruction

The Arabs recognition of Israel as the jewsh state should have the same meaning in English and Arabic-(no double meaning)

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

wafa, Atlanta, GA — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:02:54 GMT

Last I checked, hamas was elected by the people in a free election monitored by credible world bodies. I guess that does not matter to anyone here, we did not like the outcome of the elections so we put a seige on Gaza. The rest is history. How is that for Israel being the only democracy in the middle east and how pethatic is our claim in the US of being the supporters of Freedom and Democracy.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Valmoore Cliche, Lancaster, NH — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:11:51 GMT

It is time Isreal elacts a leader who will not give away land that men and women have died to preserve and take back what is rightfully theirs. What other country has been forced to give up what is rightfully theirs like Isreal has? Like it or not that land belongs to Isreal and God will bless those who stand up for Her and curse those who oppose Her.Iran's leader blatantly defies Isreal's existence and publicly decries her right to exist,even ridiculing Her 60th Anniversary celebration.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Dianne, Providence, RI — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:17:22 GMT

I concur that the Israeli system leads to numerous difficulties and to giving undue weight and voice to 'coalition partners' that represent relatively few voters. On the other hand, the same is true in Italy and India---it's a by-product of a Parliamentary system. And it proves just how strong Israeli democracy really is...

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

calev ben avraham-Eilat Israel — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:41:50 GMT

the people of Israel,the real Israelites know that te land of Israel has been promised to them and none other.God says to Rachel:your children are coming home to their borders.the peple know that the prophecy of Daniel chapter two is being fulfiled and the time of the Gentiles is rapidly ending.So Israel is surely but certainy becoming a theocracy,no one will be able to stop this.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Mohamed Morad, Ismailia, Egypt — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:12:04 GMT

Why did you call the Palestinian struggle to free their land terrorism? If so, would you call George Washington a terrorist? Of course not. He was astruggler who wanted independence for his country, just like the Palestinians.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

mike sey, Ottawa,Ontario, Canada — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:01:23 GMT

The electoral system may also explain Israel's endemic political corruption which has engulfed 4 of the last five Prime Ministers, and the constant recycling of the same old faces and the same old nostrums and hypocracies.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Victor, Pleasantville, NY — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:17:07 GMT

So you're saying that our system, where we are stuck with either Republicans or Democrats to the right and left, and where third parties have no chance to get into power, and where the majority center is not represented, is better? I would take their system in a heartbeat. At least they have choices; we don't.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

tom Largo Fl — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:32:56 GMT

The system is more democratic than the US. There is nothing in the US constitution stating there must be two parties. Indeed there a dozens of small parties. But we have a winner take all election. We don't apportion seats.

There are two independents in the US Senate they aligned with the democrat party to give them a majority in the senate for the past 3years. This is closest thing we have to a coalition government.

This has required a moderation of policies. Now we are faced with large majorities of Democrats . This is the first time in decades that the President, House and Senate are in the hands of one party. This will not bode well for us. Horse trading and checks and balances is best for ANY political system and is the basis of our politcal system.

It may be time for a major third Party in the US. But who leads it, how does it start and who will pour in the millions to fund it. Clearly money controls our politics.

In Israel, messy system means a mushy government

Henry, Philli, PA — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:14:52 GMT

results unclear in Israel means Obama's ME efforts will be unclear.