sharon wins israel loses, page-7

Well, pretty much predictable responses from the usual bunch...

What made me sad about the result was that it means there will be no solution to the problems in Israel in the foreseeable future. Sharon's policies have clearly been shown not to work and it seems he has no plans to change them and seek a political solution.

It also seems that many Israelis are in despair and have lost faith in the political process as this has been the lowest turn out ever for an Israeli election. Sharon can hardly be said to have a mandate.

What does seem to be positive is that the Labor Party have refused to team up with Sharon in a government of National Unity. Hopefully this will effectively distinguish them from the previous coalition and allow them to claim a full identity. Also positive is the large increase in the vote for the Shinui party whose major platform was opposition to the right wing religious based groups. These are the ones that fuel much of the irrational bigotry and hatred. Of course, these will now be the ones that Sharon will have to work with in his cabinet...