Note: The translations of articles from the Hebrew press
are prepared by the Government Press Office
as a service to foreign journalists in Israel.
They express the views of the authors.
A New Balancing Force
(Commentary by Tamar Horowitz, "Yediot Ahronot", May 18, 1999, p. A15)
An analysis of the exit polls for the immigrant parties shows that in the
'99 elections the tendency towards sectoral voting has increased since the
last elections. However, the strengthening of One Israel against the
decline of the Likud is also the result of greater support of the
immigrants for One Israel, as a deviation from the tendency toward
sectoral voting.
It is also possible to see from the results of the exit polls that
immigrants from the former Soviet Union have quickly acquired a strong
sense of their ability to influence the government. Research shows that
among immigrant populations in other countries, the crystallization of
such awareness is a longer process than has been the case in Israel.
It should be noted that the influence of the Hebrew media, especially
television, on the voting tendencies of immigrants from the CIS was much
greater this time than in the previous elections. This time the immigrants
did not only pick up information from the Russian press, they were also
more exposed to information flowing directly from the Hebrew media.
Analysis of the general results of the party voting shows that the view of
the immigrant public as rightist has not been proved. As people who grew
up in an empire spanning continents, the immigrants find it hard to adapt
themselves to the State of Israel, with its very narrow borders. From this
standpoint, Barak as "Mr. Security" is seen by them as one who will guard
the security and the borders of the state. Also, the issue of their
avoidance of parties which seem to be identified with the hated socialism
of the Soviet Union not really been proven. The immigrant population is
aware that rampant capitalism will in the end harm them too.
The immigrant parties will play the pivotal role in the current
administration. It may be assumed that they will not get attached to
Barak, but will try to enjoy the best of all worlds. It may be assumed
that Israel's agenda will not drastically change, but undoubtedly a new
force has been born, one which we will have to take into consideration
from now on.