First thoughts on the election

First off, nobody really won. Everyone kinda lost.

Kadima: Maintained its strength but ultimately lost by being unable to form a center-left coalition

Likud: Lost as they had a double-digit lead in seats over Kadima and the ability to form any government they wanted. Now it will be tricky. Yes the right has a narrow majority in Knesset, but does Netanyahu really want to lead a band of loose right-wing parties? I would love it if it could work but he tried before and it wasn't pretty.

Yisrael Beitenu: Had 18-19 seats in polling but ended up with a narrow 4-seat pickup from the last election.

Shas: Was the fourth largest party in the Knesset. Now it's been relegated to fifth. Took a gamble on being too demanding of Tzipi Livni that she called an election.

Labor: Reduced to a fourth-place rump. A shadow of its former glory days.


Now the hard work begins to build a coalition. I hope Bibi will lead it and somehow Kadima will go for that. It will be difficult, but for the interests of Israel, both of these parties need to work together, perhaps with Yisrael Beitenu as the 3rd partner. And hopefully rule for 4 years.