Panels conducted a poll that was published by Maariv on Jan 22 2015.
Current Knesset seats in [brackets]
24 [21] Labor-Livni
22 [18] Likud
15 [11] Bayit Yehudi
11 [19] Yesh Atid
11 [11] *United Arab List (6 Raam-Taal, 5 Hadash, 0 Balad)
08 [00] Koolanu (Kahlon)
07 [07] Yahadut Hatorah/UTJ
06 [13] Yisrael Beitenu
06 [10] Shas
06 [06] Meretz
04 [02] Ha’am Itanu
00 [02] Kadima
68 [61] Right-Religious-Kahlon (Parties that have not ruled out a BB coalition)
52 [59] Center-Left-Arab (Parties that have ruled out a BB coalition)
It seems clear, also by other polls, that if the Arab parties did not go together Balad will not pass the electoral threshold, but Hadash and Raam-Tal will pass, getting between two (Raam-Taal and Hadash) more or less the same deputies (11 MK´s) that before the three Arab parties (also because tactical voting, Balad voters would prefer vote Hadash or Raam-Tal).
Probably a good thing from the standpoint of including Israeli Arabs in the political process.
there is credible talk that liberal American NGO’s will embark on a major get out the vote effort targeting Tel Aviv and the Arab sector. Should likud and BY run as a single list it bolsters Kahlon and his Sephardi heavy list as an attractive alternative for residents of the periphery inside the green line. Add to that the historical obsservation that outside of his first run, bibi under performs compared to the polls. Rivlin may have the opportunity for payback after March 17. Also do not discount a dedection of moderates from Likud after the election to join Kulanu – particularly if a defeated bibi falls on his political sword.
Oh lordy, I am totally perplexed with your thinking, anyone who knows anything about the demography of Israel will tell you that since the time of Menachan Began there has always been a right – religious majority (even when Rabin was in for a short time). Even what you call the center left would mostly pass for the center right in times gone by.
In other words the center has shifted.
Liberal American NGO’s in Israel would have the same impact as a feather in a hurricane in influencing the course of this election.
Israel is in a tough neighbor hood , liberal namby pamby both religious and secular does not work here. This isn’t Switzerland surrounded by peace lovers. I wish it were, our neighbors have only ill intent for us.
That is why there will be a right – religious majority and trust me Kahlon is no softy, he is a typical traditional Sephardi.
“Israel is in a tough neighbor hood , liberal namby pamby both religious and secular does not work here.”
Seemed to work alright before Begin. Or maybe liberals aren’t so namby pamby, hmm?
“Even what you call the center left would mostly pass for the center right in times gone by. In other words the center has shifted.”
It depends, may be even the contrary. The positions of Bibi in 2015 about the conflict with the Palestinians are more left than those of Rabin in 1995.