Netanyahu’s ballot humiliation can only help Obama’s Israel policy

[oberliner]

As he begins his second presidential term, Barack Obama will have to confront another leader elected to a second term this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But one consequence of Israel’s surprising election results could be that Mr. Obama’s relations with his Israeli counterpart will prove to be somewhat easier.

Many analysts had predicted that the election would further consolidate the power of Israel’s pro-settlement right wing. But Tuesday’s results show once again the particular ability of Israeli politics to surprise everyone. In this case, it was the impressive showing by political newcomer Yair Lapid, a former newscaster whose centrist party Yesh Atid won 19 seats. Just a month ago, Yesh Atid was predicted to get as few as six seats . Mr. Lapid now finds himself in the unexpected role of kingmaker, expected to be a part of a new coalition headed by Mr. Netanyahu.

As for Mr. Netanyahu, even though his party’s relatively poor showing reveals him to be not quite the “King Bibi” that Time magazine proclaimed him to be last year, the fact is he will serve another term as prime minister, though presiding over a somewhat more politically diverse coalition than many had thought, which means that Mr. Obama must find a way to work with him.

The election could have consequences for the two key policy issues that created the most tension between the two leaders, the Israeli-Paliestinian peace process and Iran, with the former continuing to be a source of strain and the latter becoming slightly less of one.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/netanyahus-ballot-humiliation-can-only-help-obamas-israel-policy/article7757337/

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. Some politicians would be a tad chagrined at the ass-kicking Bibi just got.

But, those who thrive on chutzpah simply don't care. Bibi falls into that category.

Still, being the effective loser in this election, Bibi's demands won't get the same attention as before. The slightest thaw will become obvious.

I heard the Ambassador to the USandA interviewed yesterday. Andrea Mitchell carefully lobbed up a few softballs, and let he read his talking points ad nauseum. He claimed that Bibi won a huge, overwhelming victory, showing that his path to success for Israel was supported by the vast majority of his citizens. Uh huh.