The point of an effective opposition is to provide well-grounded criticism of the elected government and convince the public that it presents a viable alternative – not to vote down any and all legislation that originates with the government.
By seeking to override or ignore the will of Israeli democracy, they are accelerating the breakdown of the rapidly eroding bipartisan consensus in favor of the Jewish state.
Netanyahu won because of his sense of purpose and because the people know his grasp of history makes him particularly qualified
A final count of election ballots shows Likud with a total of 36 seats, compared to 35 seats for its main rival, the Blue and White party. New Right party falls just a few hundred votes short of entering Knesset, says it will challenge the count.
A number of Israeli Arabs voted for the ultra-Orthodox party after having received assistance from its leader and Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman.
Both Right and Left have made immense contributions to this wonderful country. But the Left cannot accept that the people who keep electing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have a clearly defined worldview and values, which they refuse to give up.
"We respect the decision of the people," says Blue and White party head Benny Gantz. Party co-leader Yair Lapid: "We will make things miserable for the government. … The 2020 campaign began today."
Central Election Committee member reports that New Right still 1,000 votes shy of 3.25% minimum threshold, says final results should be in by Thursday afternoon • Likud MK David Bitan says New Right only needs 400 votes to make it into the Knesset.
Modest gains show confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has overseen a humming economy and restrained security challenges.
Labor voters not only refused to come home, they also ditched the party and embraced the center-left bloc Blue and White.
