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Dear Friends in the National Camp Who Want to See a Change of Government in Israel:

By Daniel Green, Jerusalem

Although by now most of you have decided which party will receive your vote on Tuesday, in case you are still undecided or if you want to see Benjamin Netanyahu as the next Prime Minister of Israel but still intend on voting for another right of center / religious party instead of Likud, please take a moment to read further.

1.         If you want to ensure that a center-right government headed by Netanyahu comes to power, voting for a small party on the assumption that it is a natural ally of the Likud may well endanger the formation of such a government.  Voting for small, narrow interest parties rarely advances the interests of their voters and leads to a more unstable government.  In light of the current constellation of support for the leading parties, strategic voting in this election is critical – even if it means sacrificing one’s narrow personal preference for the benefit of a greater cause.

2.         Netanyahu has expressed serious concern that if too many right-wing voters cast ballots for the Likud’s “satellite parties”, Likud could end up losing the election despite leading the entire campaign.  In such a case, it is a real possibility that Kadima could win a plurality of the votes and get the first nod to form a government.  Such a scenario is made all the more possible given the uncertainty surrounding who Lieberman will recommend form the next government – and it may very well be Kadima.  As Likud candidate for Knesset and former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon was recently quoted as saying on Army Radio: “If you want Netanyahu as prime minister, you must vote for Likud and not for other right-wing parties.”

3.         As for Lieberman, he has clearly hit a raw nerve among voters, and his strong persona and clear message appeal to growing numbers of Israelis.  But his message is infused with negativity, anger and fear, offers a potentially dark tomorrow, and threatens Israel’s Jewish and democratic character.  Many of his views are inimical to traditional Jewish values, and he is not opposed to the division of Jerusalem.  Are the values his party expresses your values?  Does the negativity, anger and enmity he espouses reflect your vision for the future of Israel?  Apart from the above considerations, from a strategic perspective support for Lieberman directly harms Netanyahu’s chances of forming the next government, and increasing the likelihood that Livni and Kadima may edge ahead of Likud.

4.         Natan Sharansky has called for the National camp to unify their vote for Likud and for Benjamin Netanyahu for Prime Minister.  In a special video message broadcast last week at a Likud Anglos event, Sharansky said it is important that there be united support for Likud and for Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister.  There is no one who is better able to protect Israeli security and also to ensure good relations between Israel and the United States.

5.         Many people I have spoken with have expressed their clear desire for Netanyahu to lead (the alternatives are simply not alternatives), yet can’t imagine voting Likud and intend to vote for small, narrow-interest parties.  In an ideal world, such an approach may work.  But this is not an ideal world; we simply don’t have that luxury this time ’round.  Likud is not without flaws, and Netanyahu is not a savior.  But he has worked hard with many others to rebuild a party torn apart by the betrayal of Olmert, Livni and other Kadima candidates, and created a clear alternative vision for the future of this country.

6.         Finally, remember – you only have 1 ballot.  Don’t think that you can vote for your party of “choice” and also have Netanyahu; that really may not work and it is a genuine possibility that we will wake up Wednesday morning to find Livni tasked with forming the next government.

If you want to see a strong national government with Netanyahu as prime minister leading our country as we confront the difficult challenges we are facing, it is important to support the Likud tomorrow.