Netanyahu, Lieberman agree to raise electoral threshold; opposition calls move anti-Arab

[Jefferson23]

Upping threshold will make it harder for small parties to get elected; opposition factions claim Lieberman promoting bill to force Arab parties out of the Knesset.

By Jonathan Lis | Dec. 26, 2013

The electoral threshold for parties wishing to enter the Knesset will be raised from 2 percent to 3.25 percent, according to an agreement between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

The decision was reached after months of deliberation by Netanyahu in an attempt to reach an agreed-on threshold for the governability bill sponsored by Yisrael Beiteinu and Yesh Atid, which has already passed its first reading.

While the original bill called for the threshold to be increased to 4 percent, Lieberman agreed to compromise so as to appease Netanyahu and, particularly, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who opposes the bill. Sources in the Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu who confirmed the details hastened to add that “Livni isn’t pleased with the agreement,” though they believe that the decision would hold.

“Once the prime minister and his foreign minister decide on a common course, it’s very difficult to stop them,” a senior coalition source said. Raising the threshold will make it difficult for small parties (like Kadima) and niche parties (like the Green Leaf party) to get elected to the Knesset, and will force the Arab parties to unite in the next election for the Arabs to be represented in parliament. Opposition members claim that Lieberman is promoting the bill to force Arab parties out of the Knesset.

in full: http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.565472#

[Violet_Crumble]

1. While I think it'd be good for Arab parties to unite, I don't like this plan...

The Israeli electoral system seems to be overly complicated and messy to me, so if Israeli or pelsar can shed any light on it, I'd love to hear from them.

Small parties getting in on a quota system are only a pain in the arse if they're exremists (eg the Family First party here), and are able to hold a balance of power in a parliament. Other than that, I don't have a problem with small parties getting into parliament, though Israel does seem to have a hell of a lot of small parties and I don't know how anyone can keep up with them...

[shaayecanaan]

5. quite simple really

Take the total number of votes cast for a single party. Then divide by 1. If the number is higher than the quota then you get a seat. Now divide the total number of votes by two. If the number is still larger than the quota then the party gets another seat. Divide by 3, etc. Basically the highest 120 numbers get a seat.

Its called the dhont method. It works quite well in countries that are stable, which Israel is not.

One of the drawbacks is that if you are far down the party list, it is actually more advantageous for you to break away from your party list and stand on your own if you are capable of getting votes. You cant stand as an independent of course, because to get elected you need at least 3.25 percent which is actually four quotas. So you get some dropkicks to stand with you. It is actually better to stand with hopeless dropkicks, because that way there is less risk that they will attempt to break away themselves.

Its hard to see how this is not aimed squarely at the Arab parties. Only they and kadima would be directly affected the changes as things currently stand.

[azurnoir]

2. While it may be good for Arab parties to unite , this bill won't make much difference

in day to day life - The Arab parties are will always be a minority voice, who's needs and desires are second class to those of the majority- this bill could remove the fig leaf from claims of an egalitarian society though

[Jefferson23]

3. I wondered that too..the only benefit may be that it further makes clear the intent is to continue

to marginalize the Palestinians as much as possible.

[Scootaloo]

4. Not just them, but other non-dominant voices in Israel as well

There's ALWAYS something nasty with large parties deciding to make it harder for smaller parties to get elected.

[shaayecanaan]

6. it will keep the kahanists out as well

the likes of ozma, national union etc.

[sabbat hunter]

7. I think this is a good idea

it will give less power to the small parties that often hold the balance of power in Israel's coalition style of governments (mainly the small religious parties).

The Arab parties should unite to give themselves more power and a unified voice.

And for those saying that this is discriminatory against Israeli Arabs, remember that many of them do not vote for the Arab parties but instead for the secular liberal parties (like labor, meretz) We can see this by the fact that Israeli Arabs are 20% of the population of Israel.