Blog/January 2009/Jan 30th

January 30th (See this week's devar torah)
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Hi again!

For those of you who are still unaware, the Israeli elections for the Knesset are coming up on Feb 10th -- just under two weeks from now. Because there are 34 parties running, it can be difficult to figure out which one is the "best match" for one's positions. Therefore, one of the biggest papers in Israel, Yidiot Acharonot, in collaboration with the Israel Democracy Institute, came up with an " electoral compass" to help you figure out which party is closest to your particular way of thinking. Try it, it's free and very informative.

Israel has some really odd parties. The adage that politics makes strange bedfellows is really true. Here you can take a look at some of the election posters, along with a short translation of the message.

As for me, I'm voting National Union. For the first time in my life, I feel the need to become an activist, because so much is at stake in this election. The current leadership has already announced their "plan" of giving most of the heartland of Israel to the Arab enemy. They should perhaps read about our neighbor and why we have to kill him. I find it absolutely incomprehensible how any person with two brain cells left can believe that if we "just give them land", then "they will stop attacking us".

• Dhimmy Carter believes that, but then, that supports my point I think. The only party which has come out unequivocally and stated it will not under any circumstances surrender our Land to the Arab invaders, is the National Union. So they get my vote.

Why is it a problem? After all, those parts the various politicians want to give the Arabs are "far away". Yeah. The Arabs here are within bow-and-arrow range of my house, let alone Qassam range. If we allow Hamas to take over there, how long do you think it will be before "Gazan rain" starts inundating my town, and Jerusalem next-door? No bloody way am I going to keep still while that happens.

So why don't I vote for Feiglin? He's in the Likud, and will "keep them honest". According to his reasoning, we need to have people in the position to exert pressure on Netanyahu when he's tempted to bend over for the Americans. I don't think so. First of all, Feiglin has been relegated -- by Netanyahu himself -- to a "non-realistic" position on the list. That means, unless the Likud has unprecedented and unexpected success at the polls, Feiglin will remain out of the Knesset, a mere irritation to Netanyahu. And given that's the case, the four-years coming up will allow the corrupt politicians to do their worst -- literally -- and there will be nothing Feiglin can do about it. On the other hand, the National Union will get at least a few seats -- and they will be "inside" the Knesset and able to at the least make their position heard, and possibly forestall disaster. It's the only thing we can do just now.

• Rachem!
• Glad I don't fish and stopped playing the cello
• Hamas: 1yr cease-fire
• gaza destruction and casualties
• EU is tired of it
• zchug

Until next week,
Shabbat shalom!

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