Barak: Only those who risk living in Israel should vote here
Defense Min. criticizes bid backed by Netanyahu, Lieberman to allow absentee voting for Israelis.
By Barak Ravid and Mazal Mualem Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Ehud Barak Israel news Israel electionDefense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday said he strongly objects to a proposal backed by the prime minister and foreign minister to allow Israeli citizens abroad to vote in Knesset elections.
"I strongly object to granting the right to vote to Israelis living permanently abroad," said Barak at a Defense Ministry meeting. "Only those people who are here with us and who bear the risks and burden of being here should be allowed to vote in Israel."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beiteinu head Avigdor Lieberman announced Monday that they intend to promote a bill that would let Israeli citizens vote from abroad in Knesset elections.
Coalition parties Shas and Labor oppose the bill, as do many opposition factions.
Kadima filed a no-confidence motion against the government over its intention "to enable people not living in Israel to vote in the elections and determine the fate of those living here."
All decisions for Israel's future must be determined only by those who chose to live here and shape its future," party sources said.
At the start of a Likud faction meeting Monday, Netanyahu promised to enact this legislation, which he believes will bolster citizens' ties to the country. "This is acceptable in many countries," he noted.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
They have also to pay some kind of taxes for the privilege that will help the jewish state. This also can help in the demographic problem ! It seems a wining solution its time has come !
This is a question which ONLY Israelis may have an opinion. Barak has more to gain than Netanyahu if American Jews were allowed to vote, and yet he objects to the plan. I have no 'opinion' but were the question of American elections, I would say I would not want any person with 'dual citizenship' who chose to live outside America voting. This is an issue which Israelis should decide.
This is a tranparent attempt to maintain Israel's Jewish majority. This is an admission by the right that the Arab sector is becoming more numerous and the Jewish nature of Israel is existentially threatened. So instead of trying to solve the problem by increasing funds to Arab sector education, modernizing and Israelizing the Arab minority. They throw their hands up in the air and throw open voting to Israelis who have no interest in coming back to Israel.
Ehud Barak as a "Little Israel" supporter? I think that says it all. If anything was designed to ensure that right of centre voters abroad will clamour for the vote, this is it! The world has moved on and passed him by - you know, that interconnected viral internet globe, that place where everybody knows everything instantly. What on earth is he holding on to? Its that hoary old argument about how you can't criticise us unless you wear the uniform and pay the taxes. I don't recall the anti-Vietnam war protestors ever getting that kind of argument from pro-war advocates. If this is the last gasp of the once proud Israel Labour Party, its an unfitting end.
After all, Israel has practically annexed the WB. Since Israel claims to be a democracy then everybody who lives in the WB should be allowed to vote. Even the arabs. Right?