World

Israel Seals West Bank Ahead of Close National Election

by Rob Walker | February 9, 2009 at 12:21 pm

208 views | 21 Recommendations | 4 comments

In less than 24 hours Israel elects a new government, and in the hours beforehand the West Bank will be sealed down. Israel's hard liners surged ahead in public perception in the days leading up to the elections, though the election is still extremely close.

In the last election in 2006, the centrist Kadima party took power with promises of a US-sponsored peace with the Palestinians. After the 22-day campaign in the West Bank however, few Israelis harbor many illusions for a peaceful resolution.

After the Gaza war, Israeli voters are expected to veer towards the right in Tuesday's elections, paving the way for a new hard-line coalition government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, the former Prime Minister and leader of the Likud party.

Opinion polls and political reports indicate it will be a neck-and-neck race between the Prime Minister candidates, Binyamin Netanyahu, leader of the right-wing opposition Likud party, and foreign minister Tzipi Livni, who heads the centrist Kadima, the largest party in the Ehud Olmert-led cabinet.

Security

While security at any time is extremely tight in Israel, preparations have really ramped up for election day. Over 16,000 police and border guard officers, as well as at least 7,000 volunteers and security guards will be manning the 9,569 polling stations across the country.

Security personnel will also deploy in crowded places, work to conduct traffic near polling stations and secure public figure's visits in various places.

ISRAEL is to seal off the occupied West Bank for 24 hours while it holds parliamentary elections today, an army spokesman said.
"A closure will be imposed on the West Bank from midnight Monday (9am AEDT Tuesday) and remain in force until midnight Tuesday (local time)," the spokesman said.

Issues

While security concerns remain the foremost issue for Israelis, the economy and trade, agriculture, technology and the environment are all included in the various party platforms.

Israel's elections pitch three candidates from the centre, centre-right and centre-left against each other. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni of Kadima, opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu of Likud, and Defence Minister Ehud Barak of Labour are all vying for similar groups of voters. Meanwhile, far-right winger Avigdor Liebermam's Yisrael Beiteinu party may beat Labour into third place.

The Green Party
1. Conservation, purification and clever planning of the systems for consuming and producing water;

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Fripouille

at 15:24 on February 9th, 2009

Thanks for the post Rob. I read today that Gazans don't really care who wins. They seem to be convinced that neither candidate is going to give Gaza a break. They are probably right.

Sorry for squatting the post, but just a last little word to Moon on the subject of stuff sent. Hi Moon, you mailed me a link to an article on the use of extreme epithets for Jews and the Gaza conflict, probably as a result of my recent post on the subject. I'd go there, but I couldn't send my impressions on it because I'd get blocked if I tried to mail you!

Emilio Lizardo

at 16:25 on February 9th, 2009

I was speaking with three friends today

At the river three friends talking

They said this

Real Jews denounce Israel's war crimes

darthbooger

at 20:41 on February 9th, 2009

To Emilio-I have no knowledge concerning Israli war crimes,but i have enough knowledge of war to understand it in itself is a crime. It is a good gift to have friends.

Phila (not verified)

at 06:41 on February 26th, 2009

Hello everyone. I feel like a tiny bird with a big song!
I am from Congo and learning to speak English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "We have had pretty decent success with some of these new medications keppra, for example and it has allowed us to avoid some of the scarier options."

Thanks 8). Phila.