Israeli Politics – where do you stand?
This is an opportunity to thank readers for their intelligent comments; we’ve got a nice group of regulars now, all taking part in an interesting dialogue, which is refreshing. In a similar vein, I’d be interested to see where you all stand on the major issues in Israeli politics. Take the survey here, and report back. For the record I’m in the bottom-left hand quadrant, with a “substantive agreement” of 75% with Labor, 73% with Meretz and Kadima, and – oddly – 72% with Raam Taal. On security I’m 80% with Meretz; 77% socioeconomic with Kadima; and 85% religion with Meretz, Raam Taal and Hadash. I most disagree with Habayit-Hayehudi-Mafdal. Report your results below the line!
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Why ‘oddly’ that you’re 72 per cent in agreement with Raam Taal?
Well, because I’m a Zionist…
So … perhaps it gives you pause for thought. About your Zionsim.
Ergo: perhaps it should give Raam Taal pause for thought about their anti-Zionism….
Yes, but I was asking you.
I’m sure I have plenty of common with Raam Taal…
bottom left square, a smidge above dead centre
Me: socioeconomic left – dove. Bottom left.
Slightly doveish, slightly religious and absolute centre on socio-economic
Alex, first time visitor and commenter. I enjoyed the test and will be linking to your blog. I found you through Gert’s site, though he and I are not on very good terms. I most appreciate that your site seems to be rational discourse from a leftist perspective rather than a militant hate site attacking Zionism, so I’ll plan to return and contribute to your discussions.
Of course, I will be a respectful dissenter, as my views are way, way to the right of the others who frequent your site. Perhaps that will make for some fun dialogue, though.
Gert, while at this site let’s agree to remain civil despite overwhelmingly deep and profound disagreements that could quickly devolve into ugly personal attacks. I’ll choose ignoring you out of respect for Alex’s site before that happens.
Anyway, just to give you an idea of who I am and where I stand, my top score in the test was 77% match with National Union.
I am not sure the test was designed very well to expose our positions. The answers to their questions will always be much more nuanced than the presented options. For example, the criterion for determining whether you are a dove or a hawk is about stopping the settlements and giving up the territories. This is only relevant in the framework of two-state solution. I am all for it but with each passing day less and less convinced it is doable. So, I am also supporting the binational state solution, in which context the question of territories is immaterial, while equal rights for all citizens – including de-facto ones, such as the Palestinians living in the territories – is.
But I shouldn’t be too picky, I know.
Anyway, if Israel had absentee voting, I’d vote either Hadash or someone from extreme right. For justifications, I will defer to the Magnes Zionist, because he will always phrase it better than I could ever hope to (except that I’d maybe vote even more extreme than Bibi – Lieberman, for example. The “fascistier” the better):
Vote Hadash
vs
Vote Bibi
Peter, interesting perspective…I also wonder if from the opposite political spectrum if Obama might overcompensate for his reputation of being luke-warm towards Israel and become tougher on the arabs than any Republican ever would dare.
Madzionist, I hope not. If it happens, I’d be mightily disappointed with Obama and mightily mad at us Jews who pushed him in this direction.
First time poster. Looks like a lovely site.
I had fun with the survey but was not surprised that I was near 80% agreement with Meretz, Labor, and Hadash. The actual agreement depends on how you weight security, religious, and socioeconomic issues, and there is the issue of the party leaders. I think Barak failed once and should not be allowed to try again.
Socioeconomic left – dove. The party closest to my position was “Meretz” (90 %). What does that make me?
It makes you not as anti-Israel as the rest of your counrymen! Tell ‘em I’m coming….