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The cosmos and the Russians By Lily Galili Tags: astrology, Russian vote  Natalia Barsky, a well-known astrologist among the local Russian-speaking public, opined this week that the date set for Israel's next elections (February 10) is a very bad one - apparently because of a lunar eclipse. "It's become an Israeli tradition to hold elections on an inauspicious date," she says. Russian-speakers aren't in the least amused by this. In fact, during past election campaigns, Barsky has particpated in panel discussions on political - not entertainment - programs. In the run-up to the 2006 elections, with Ariel Sharon at his peak of popularity, Barsky predicted in an interview that the elections would end differently than expected. The notion that "the Russians will decide the election" has become something of a mantra, but it is once again right on track: "Since almost 40 percent of the Russians are still undecided, their vote will be even more decisive this time around than it was in the 1996 and '99 elections," explains Dina Liebster, a spokesperson for the Russian-speaking department of Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu's headquarters. The Russian vote is becoming a key focus for at least three parties: Likud, Kadima and Yisrael Beiteinu. Advertisement Internal party polls of the Russian-speaking public currently indicate a neck-and-neck race between Netanyahu and Yisrael Beiteinu's Avigdor Lieberman: Both are showing support of about 25 percent. It is becoming increasingly clear that Kadima's Tzipi Livni is a significant player as well, much to their surprise. Their counter-strategy will apparently involve painting her as a leftist who is so radical that she makes even Meretz's Zahava Gal-On look like someone in good standing with the extreme right. The Likud, it should be noted, will easily set itself apart. Moshe Feiglin, a natural magnet for Russian votes, will surely be on its slate. One of the burning questions in the party right now is how to prevent his Russian-speaking admirers from being included on its list. One Feiglin they can handle; a whole bunch of Feiglins is another matter entirely. Lieberman remains the indisputable king of the sector, but he still has two big problems to contend with. The first - his list - is about to be solved: Most of Yisrael Beiteinu's incumbent Russian MKs will be replaced. Among the more familiar names, there is talk of a deal having been struck with Kadima's Marina Solodkin, who has hinted at this new political relationship. In addition, the Russian media are also talking of an emerging pact between Lieberman and Leon Litinsky, a new Labor MK who is close to Amir Peretz. "For now, I'm fighting to get the Russian slot moved up from the 21st place, which I occupy, to the top 10," says Litinsky, with the emphasis on "for now." Lieberman intends to forge ahead with a plan he put together in the last election campaign, with the aim of becoming an "all-Israeli" party. In 2006, he sought a situation whereby two-thirds of his supporters would be Russian-speakers and one-third would be the general public; the party slate was drawn up in accordance with this ratio. Now he's aiming for a 50-50 ratio to be reflected in his party's slate. Lieberman's bigger problem is the fact that, unlike Netanyahu, he isn't running for prime minister. The Likud will call upon Russian-speakers to vote for its top candidate - for one, in order to thwart that reckless leftist Kadima leader who'll give away all of Jerusalem the day after the elections. Lieberman will have to come up with a different tactic. Meanwhile, Netanyahu and Lieberman seem to have reverted to their mutual non-aggression pact, which Lieberman violated about six months ago with a series of harsh statements that took the Likud chairman by surprise. The two nevertheless continued to hold regular private meetings. While this dialogue does not seem to be leading toward a party merger, Lieberman has, for now at least, shifted his assaults to Kadima. Not long ago, he was accusing the Likud of torpedoing his bill to promote civil marriage and ease conversion; a Yisrael Beiteinu statement, currently appearing on Russian Web sites, pins this accusation squarely on the Kadima chairwoman. At a meeting of the Kadima council, MK Haim Ramon proposed that special action be taken to reserve slots for Russian-speakers on the party's Knesset list, a step that would run counter to party policy. While that matter is being decided, Livni ought to send Eli Yishai some flowers for Shabbat: With his accusations of racism and discrimination, Yishai has turned Kadima - in the eyes of Russian-speakers - into Shinui's natural heir, not a bad place on the political map. Netanyahu, for his part, will have to allay this sector's concerns about his strong connection with Shas. Even at a time when the slogan is no longer "Nash kontrol [our control] or Shas control" as in the '99 elections, an overly tight alliance with Shas is going to present a problem for the Likud. But before solving that one, the Likud is busy looking for very creative ways to find worthy candidates. One idea under consideration is to hold a kind of open primary in which, in accordance with predetermined criteria, every Russian immigrant regardless of his political affiliation will be able to select two preferred candidates from a prepared list. Now these are the makings of a real reality show. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Never walk alone It's safe to assume that Obama won't abandon Israel. Apprehensive in Israel Rightist MK Aryeh Eldad warns 'Israel should be wary of Barack Obama'   1.   It`s easy to be astrologer now: any election date is bad. 11:13  |  S 01/11/08   2.   I would have painted Livini as Olmert 16:48  |  Ralph Levy 01/11/08   3.   This should be under the humor section 19:22  |  Ian 01/11/08

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