Jerusalem bureau chief Aaron Klein of WorldNetDaily.com says a combination of factors in the non-Jewish vote combined for the victory of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Wednesday's Kadima party leadership election. Livni is expected to be given the first chance to form a new government, following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's announced resignation.
In his weekly appearance on Israel National Radio's Tovia Singer Show, Klein said Livni trounced runnerup Shaul Mofaz in the non-Jewish sector, which had the highest turnout in the election. He added that the extension of voting by half hour allowed more Muslims to get to the polls after daytime fasting for Ramadan and the feasting that followed. Finally, 430 ballots were ripped up in one Arab locality, one less than Livni's margin of victory.
Klein said if Livni can form a government without general elections, it may be better for Israel, noting that she will have less of a popular consensus for a withdrawal from Judea and Samaria. He added that opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu may be better in the short term regarding the Iranian nuclear threat, Palestinian Authority terrorism and Israel's deterrence ability, but may end up making land concessions.
To listen or download the full interview, click here.