Results Thursday: Feb 12, 2009

More liveblogging at IsraellyCool and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/muqata Keyword #GazaWar

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10:31 PM Final Results...

8:34 PM On Channel 2 TV tonight, we were shown different ballots that were cast by soldiers and the others. Many soldiers wrote "Gilad Shalit" on their ballots.

The ballot I found chilling was cast from a prison -- hand-written on the ballot in Arabic was the word: حماس (HAMAS)

7:12 PM Final Election Outcome: No change at all in any of the seat allocations after counting all the votes from soldiers, diplomats, hospitalized, maritime people, and criminals.

Same as what I reported a few hours ago, but now it's official.

5:22 PM Update; Reshet Bet/Channel B radio reports that the official results will be announced at 6:00 PM -- only 38 minutes from now.

5:19 PM The Israel Knesset Elections Committee will hold a press conference at 7 PM Israel time, to announce to final results of the election.

All media sources are reporting there are no changes, so a big "press conference" just seems like a waste of everyone's time... Will keep you all posted in case anything interesting develops.


4:49 PM Haaretz reports that according to sources inside the election committee, after the final counting of the absentee/IDF soldier ballots, there is no change in the seat allocations per party.

These are unofficial statements...unsure when final announcement will be made. Pictured at right is a Reuters photo of a ballot cast for captured IDF soldier, Gilad Shalit.

4:44 PM Jameel: I have a feeling there's not going to be any chance in the number of seats...

4:34 PM Reshet Bet -- Israel Channel B announces that its only a matter of minutes before the official announcement of the final election results...

3:33 PM Dozens of soldiers voted "Gilad Shalit"

3:11 PM Rumors flying everywhere of what the final results are.

They range from:

Labor gaining another seat.
Likud tying with Kadima, 27-27
Likud gains over Kadima, 28-27

It's all conjecture! Waiting for official results...

2:56 PM The votes have been counted...the final analysis is being done now to determine any changes in the political spectrum...stay tuned.

1:51 PM Could politics get any weirder? Yisrael Beiteinu chief negotiator tells IDF Army radio (Galei Tzahal); Its possible that Yisrael Beiteinu's leader, Avigdor Leiberman, will reccommend to Israel's president, that Leiberman himself should be the next Prime Minister of Israel, instead of reccomending Netanyahu or Livni. (source: glz)

12:51 PM Meretz leader slams Kadima and their "false campaign."

Meretz Chairman Chaim Oron said to Ynet that his party will not recommend the president to place the responsibility of putting together the cabinet neither to Livni nor Netanyahu. "We said even before the elections that if Livni goes into negotiations with Lieberman, we will not recommend her.

Oron responded to his party's performance in the elections, saying, "We will hold a long series of talks, and will try to analyze. It is clear that there is a partial answer – what happened in the last days of the elections with Kadima's very successful false campaign."

11:57 AM More from Kadima MK Shitrit on Channel B (Reshet Bet) Radio:

Kadima will suggest to President Peres that Tzippi Livni should govern a leftwing government comprised of Kadima, Labor, Mertez, Shas, and UTJ -- a total of 60 seats, with support from the 11 Arab seats outside the government.

When asked if this was "going against the will of the voters, who voted for a rightwing majority", Shitrit replied, "with all due respect, the voters are stupid."

11:46 AM The 150,000 outstanding votes from the 18th Knesset election are being tallied now, and should be completed by the afternoon. The Israeli election board will release the results this evening.

Prior to these outstanding votes, Kadima is leading the Likud by 36,231 votes

11:43 AM National Union representative, MK-elect Yaakov Katz said he was very pleased after meeting with Likud leader Netanyahu. "Netanyahu repeated what he said before the elections, that he wants a rightwing, pro-Eretz Yisrael government" (A7 via rotter)

10:50 AM Kadima MK Meir Shitrit on Channel B Radio this morning: "With all due respect, the voters are idiots."

Best Captions for Meir Shitrit -- on right:

"The leftwing lost the election by THIS much"

"I want to squash stupid Israeli voters like this"

"But we were this close to signing an agreement with Hamas..."

10:15 AM IAF helicopters attack Hamas positions in Khan Younis, Gaza. (ynet)

9:13 AM The 18th Knesset will have 31 New MKs.

(source)

9:11 AM IDF Galei Zahal Radio reports: The additional 150,000 votes should be tallied by this evening.

9:06 AM Walla reports that Livni is finding it too difficult to put together a coalition, and is going to ask President Shimon Peres current wheeler-dealer PM Ehud Olmert for "help."

Shows really excellent leadership qualities...she can't even form a coalition without the help from Peres Olmert.


Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

The Great Election Poll Roundup

By Israeli law, polls cannot be conducted or taken any more till Israel's election. The above table represents the latest (and last) polls from Israel, all published on Friday, Feb 7th, 2009.

One of the commenters on Friday's post said he was voting for Kadima. I'd like to understand why anyone would vote for the most corrupt party in Israel's history? The current Kadima Prime Minister, Ehud Olmet attended his 13th police investigation this past Friday for corruption in the past 2 year period.

Additional winners from the upcoming elections, Kadima party list include:

Kadima #4: MK Tzachi HaNegbi: Indicted, awaiting trial for fraud and breach of trust for allegedly making 69 inappropriate political appointments while serving as environment minister between 2001 and 2003)

Kadima #8 MK Ruchama Avraham: Under police investigation for bribery, stopped by Israeli customs agents last week for illegally smuggling whiskey into Israel.

Kadima #13 MK Yaakov Edri: Police recommend indictment for breach of trust and accepting a bribe, awaiting special hearing.

Kadima #14 MK Eli Aflalo: Under police investigation for bribery.

Kadima #17 MK Chaim Ramon: Convicted sexual predator -- sexual harassment.

Down but not out: in addition to Ehud Olmert, don't forget former Finance Minister and MK Avraham Hirschson (indicted for breach of trust, aggravated fraud, theft and money laundering) and past MK Omri Sharon, convicted criminal of fraud and breech of public trust.

Don't forget Ari Shavit's scathing analysis of Tzippi Livni on Haaretz (of all places).

I could go on and on about Kadima, but I honestly don't understand why anyone would vote for them. I could even think of more reasons to vote for the Labor party, than for Kadima. This is the party that founded itself on the coat-tails of the Disengagement, the party that then continues to turn its back on the refugees of Gush Katif -- after forcibly removing them from their homes, denying them permanent housing, causing severe unemployment (over 60%), and a myriad of social and educational issues.

Livni has voted in the Knesset against every single law that would advance women's rights in Israel.

I could go on and on, but would rather talk about possibilities that might further Israel's goals as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state.

And I'll be posting that tomorrow.

Regards,

Jameel

PS: During Operation Cast-Lead, when Defense Minister Ehud Barak was running the war and Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu put aside all partisan politics and gave marathon video news interviews...Tzippi Livni decided to campaign instead (note, Labor and Likud had zero meetings like this). See the video for yourself...Channel 10 (Hebrew only)



Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

Maligning Hevron's Jews -- Calling them Dogs

JPost: Setters Return to "Federman Farm"

"Setter" From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Setter is a type of gundog used most often for hunting game such as quail, pheasant, and grouse. A setter silently searches for game by scent. When prey is encountered the dog's behavior defies nature, and the dog freezes rather than chases after the game. Setters get their name from their distinctive stance; a sort of crouch or "set" upon finding their quarry. Most setters are born with a natural proclivity to hunting. Dogs which show excitement and interest in birds are described as being "birdy", and trainers look for puppies that show this particular trait. Training is usually done with domesticated pigeons. The ancestors of modern setters probably originated in Spain in the 1500s and evolved from spaniels. Later these dogs were exported to France and England where the breeds were developed into today's varieties. Most setter breeds have long smooth, silky coats that require maintenance. Setters have a tendency to be happy, playful dogs and are usually very friendly both to people and other dogs. They have a great deal of energy and require daily exercise. Setters include the following breeds: English Setter, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter (also called a red setter), Irish Red and White Setter, Black Welsh Setter, Russian Setter.

But Seriously.

Forget the stupid typo in the JPost: What was Federman Farm destruction all about?

Elisheva Federman described the ordeal on Saturday night to YNET:

"It was a regular Saturday evening. We were cleaning after Shabbat. Our nine children went to sleep. I finished working on a paper for school, Noam was on the computer, when we suddenly heard dogs barking.

"We received a phone call that massive forces were headed towards us. Noam went out to see what was happening, and then Yasamniks ((Israel Police special patrol unit) jumped on him. I haven't seen him since.

"I saw herds of black uniform. I locked the door, but they broke into the house, smashed the windows, and all this without any warning. The children woke up and came to my room.

"Three of the children – aged six, eight and 12 – asked me what to do. I told them to go to Givat Haharsina, knock on good people's doors and ask them to take them to their grandfather and grandmother in Kiryat Arba.

"They pulled out the entire contents of the house. Everything that was in the cupboards – books, clothes, money. They forcibly removed us from the house and took us to the Gush Etzion Junction. They said we were all under arrest. Me and six other children – aged one, three, nine, 14, 16 and 17.

"They destroyed the entire house and cut off its gas supply. Several hours later, they told us we were not under arrest and let me go back to the house to take the car. I saw the complete destruction in the place and they told me, 'Take what you want.'

"Eighteen years of marriage are folded under the wreckage. I didn’t even have Materna to take for the baby. The oldest daughter was taken to the police station and was arrested after her hand was broken."

The Federman family has been living in the place for two and a half years. According to the residents, the far had been manned for 11 years. Elisheva Federman said there was no legal motive for the evacuation.

"We have had right of possession on this land for 10 years. No Arab has demanded it. We launched legal proceedings and paid a lot of money. How can they do this without any warning? I hope God gives us the strength to return. We have no property now. We can build a tent there. We have nothing to lose," she said.

Photos of the destruction of the Federman's home. They were not allowed to save anything from the home till after it was destroyed. They were only shown the destruction and eviction orders after the home was destroyed.

This comes at the same time that Defense Minister Ehud Barak has just authorized 600 armed Fatah "policemen" to enter Hevron. These policemen were trained under the supervision of the United States.

It boggles the mind that the US has anything to do with Palestinian Policemen training, considering that the Palestinians attribitue the large number of Israelis killed and wounded in the current Intifada -- to the credit of their American training.

"I do not think that the operations of the Palestinian resistance would have been so successful and would have killed more than one thousand Israelis since 2000 and defeated the Israelis in Gaza without these [American] trainings," a senior officer of President Abbas's Force 17 Presidential Guard unit, Abu Yousuf, said.

America has longstanding training programs at a base in the West Bank city of Jericho for members of Force 17, which serves as de facto police units in the West Bank, and for another major Fatah security force, the Preventative Security Services.

This weekend diplomatic security officials announced that the State Department will begin training Force 17 again this year in an effort to bolster Mr. Abbas against Hamas, which took over the Gaza Strip in June when the terror group easily defeated American-backed Fatah forces in the territory. [NY SUN]

In addition to Fatah policemen's recent spate of terrorist activities, Tanazim "operatives" were responsible for the murder of Hevron's 10 month old Shalhevet Pass.

Warning: If you have the stomach, see the story and photo here. Its important to see, but I advise against children viewing it.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

Fastest Flip-flop in Israel's History

Thursday, 04.16.08, 1:43 PM

Three IDF soldiers killed in Gaza by Palestinians. Fuel shipments to Gaza, remain frozen.

Israel says it has frozen plans to renew the fuel supply to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday because of an attack in which three soldiers were killed. Army spokeswoman Maj. Avital Leibowich says the soldiers were killed Wednesday morning in a battle with Palestinian gunmen who were approaching the terminal where fuel is sent into Gaza.

Leibowich says the attack prompted Israel to cancel plans to resume fuel shipments. Israel cut off the flow of fuel to the Palestinian territory last week after Gaza militants killed two Israelis in an attack on the fuel terminal. (AP)

Oh no! We can't possible stop the fuel supply to Gaza! The Disengagement's promise was that we wouldn't have to provide anything to Gaza anymore. Not fuel, not electricity, not food, nothing.

Yet they continue to shoot missiles and rockets at us, and we finally shut off their fuel supply.

Have no fear, Israel can flip-flop faster than you can say "Israel deserves a better Prime Minister than Ehud Olmert."

50 minutes pass -- 3000 seconds.

Thursday, 04.16.08, 2:33 PM

Israel resumes fuel supply to Gaza...

Despite bloody clashes between IDF troops, Palestinian gunmen earlier on Wednesday, Israel renews supply of fuel, cooking oil to Strip.

Mahmoud Khuzandar, deputy director of the Gaza fuel station owners' association, says a total of eight truckloads of fuel have been pumped into Gaza. He says half was cooking oil and the other half was diesel fuel for Gaza's only power plant.

An Israeli defense official says Israel sent only fuel for the power plant.

Israel cut off the flow of fuel to the Palestinian territory last week after Gaza militants killed two Israelis in an attack on the Nahal Oz fuel terminal, but on Monday Defense Minister Ehud Barak, at Egypt's request, ordered the renewal of diesel shipments to Gaza's power station.

The Israeli military said earlier in the day the terminal would not be reopened because of a Palestinian ambush nearby that left three soldiers dead. It was unclear why the decision was reversed.

The soldiers were killed Wednesday morning in a battle with Palestinian gunmen who were approaching the security fence in an apparent attempt to infiltrate Israel. (YNET/AP)

Don't worry - Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak have it all under control.


Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

Muqata Election Predictions

Today's Ami Ayalon is competing against Ehud Barak in the Labor Party chairman election.

Barak called on Labor Party members to vote, and said that he was the only one who could unite the Labor party, and beat Knesset Member Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ayalon said that he felt he had a good chance at winning. “If they want a regeneration of the party, and a different road than the one it has been taking, my chances are good – if not, I will remain in the party as a regular member.” (YNET)

Muqata Prediction: Ehud Barak by 58%.

Tomorrow is the Israeli Presidential Election.

Contestants: Shimon Peres (darling of Israel's media), Collete Avital (Labor part candidate), Reuven Rivlin (Likud, all around nice guy has his heart in the right place, but said he pardon Palestinian Terrorist Marwan Bargoutti, if the Government requested. Best of the 3...)

Shas "Spiritual Leader", R' Ovadya Yosef has publicly committed Shas support to Shimon Peres and said, "Whoa (sp?) to anyone's spirit if they vote for anyone but Peres", implying that if you want to lose your share in Heaven, then don't vote for Peres...

While Israeli pundits are saying that Shimon Peres will probably win due to the support from Shas, I don't believe at the end of the day, that all the Shas MKs will line up and vote for Peres, despite R' Ovadya's blessing of losing their share in the world to come.

Muqata Prediction: Rivlin will win by a few votes.
Caveat: If Colette Avital drops out of the race at the last second, then Peres will win.

Reference Material; Quotes from Peres, displayed on posters around Jerusalem.

There's nothing to be proud of in Jewish History (UNESCO Conf. 1994)

Jewish Youth should divorce themselves from our past. (UNESCO Conf. 1994)

Give me peace, and I'll forgo Israel's nuclear capabilities (4.1.96)

Bombing the Iranian Nuclear Reactor was a mistake (24.12.95)

There is no antisemitism in France (27.2.02)

Olmert is one of Israel's best Prime Ministers (17.3.07

If it were up to me I would remove History from the school curriculum (11.4.07)

To dance the tango, you need to close your eyes and let the romance flow...peace is a romantic process.

I declare that the [Palestinian-Israeli] conflict is over! No finger will ever again touch a trigger.

100 years of terror are over, and now start 100 years of peace and coexistence. (13.5.95

)

MKs: Now's your chance to receive Jameel @ The Muqata's blessing for health, a long life, and prosperity. Tomorrow: Vote for Rivlin!



Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael