Stav Shaffir speaks up for democracy

Labor party candidate Stav Shaffir writes about her experience at a debate in Netanya, where candidates from Likud, Kadima, Habayit Hayehudi, and Otzma Leyisrael tried to force Yael Lehrer, the candidate from the Palestinian Balad party, off the stage by yelling and loudly singing Hatikva.

It's already clear which of the parties running for Knesset have racist nationalist ideologies. Now, Stav Shaffir has demonstrated that the Labor party is willing to stand up for democracy and pluralism in Israel.

English language post at the Daily Beast: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/11/netanya-s-undemocratic-elections-panel.html

Original facebook post: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151214864946608&set=a.402342761607.177924.508516607&type=1&theater

-Dafna

Much work to do, a quarter of Israelis undecided

With eight days to go until the elections, a quarter of Israelis are still undecided, leavening many potential mandates hanging in the balance. Let's work to bring them to the only party that can truly lead this country.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-voters-undecided-support-for-livni-down/

-Gabe

Olmert: Bibi wasted money on "adventurous fantasies" in Iran

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Channel 2 that Netanyahu has spent 11 billion shekels planning military operations on Iran that "were not carried out and will never be carried out":

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/olmert-netanyahu-spent-nis-11-billion-on-adventurous-fantasies-1.493507

We need a national security policy that's grounded in reality, not Bibi's wasteful fearmongering.
-Dafna

Finance minister admits that current government has failed us

Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz finally agrees to take some blame for the appalling social gaps and economic burden here, though still shirks full responsibility.
http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000811505

-Gabe 

Children live in poverty

Children, unable to make money on the stock market, don't get a chance in this country. Over 35% of children in Israel live in poverty!!

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4321573,00.html

 -Gabe

Israelis lose faith in future due to bewildering present

Social resilience index drops, indicating lack of faith in government, public services, societal fabric.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4320576,00.html

-Gabe

Seniors are poor in Netanyahu's Israel

Bibi and the current regime don't care about children or seniors because they don't contribute to the economy. Over 20 percent of seniors live in poverty.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4329035,00.html

-Gabe

Ghouls

Bennet: Parties must pledge not to evacuate Jews

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=298642

Naftali Bennet, whose Bayit Hayehudi party is polling at Labor's heels with around thirteen seats, said on Sunday that he wants all political parties to sign a pledge never to evict Jews from the occupied Palestinian territories.

"'My position is that there will not ever be a Palestinian state between the Jordan and the [Mediterranean] Sea,' Bennet added."

 If Netanyahu is the next prime minister, he will need Bennet in his coalition, and will have to keep him pleased. This possibility should terrify anyone who believes in the right to Palestinian national self-governance and anyone who believes that the Jewish state must not be concerned with the welfare of Jews only.

-Dafna

Netanyahu is nervous

 
Haaretz: Netanyahu calls for right-wing support, fearing unification of center-left bloc

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/netanyahu-calls-for-right-wing-support-fearing-unification-of-center-left-bloc.premium-1.492188

Netanyahu is nervous about winning the election. Let's realize his fears!

-Dafna, an olah from the United States