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Barak, Ehud

Israelis Vote for Change, Elect Ehud Barak as Prime Minister

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a surprising turn of events, Ehud Barak has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Israel, defeating incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu in a landslide victory. The election marked a significant shift in the country's politics, as voters rejected Netanyahu's hard-line positions and opted for a more moderate approach to peace with the Palestinians. Barak's victory is seen as a rebirth of hope for a peaceful resolution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ehud Barak won the election with a 56 percent to 43 percent margin over Benjamin Netanyahu, marking a significant shift in Israeli politics.
  • Economic problems, divisions within Netanyahu's base, and the endorsement of Yitzhak Mordechai hurt Netanyahu's chances of reelection.
  • Barak's record as a decorated soldier, his theme of unity, and his pledge to bring Israeli boys home from southern Lebanon resonated with voters.
  • Netanyahu's abrasive personality, his penchant for alienating friends, and his unwillingness to advance the peace process contributed to his downfall.
  • A poll conducted by the Steinmetz Center for Peace Research found that a majority of Israelis (55%) now believe that Palestinians deserve a state, up from just 45% six months prior.
  • Israeli fears about Palestinian intentions have also subsided, with only 48% of Israelis believing that the Palestinians want to destroy Israel, down from 60% a year earlier.
  • The election results reflect a change in attitudes among Israelis, with a growing majority supporting the idea of a Palestinian state and a decrease in fears about Palestinian intentions.

Statistics:

  • 56% - Ehud Barak's margin of victory over Benjamin Netanyahu
  • 43% - Ehud Barak's percentage of the vote
  • 55% - The percentage of Israelis who now believe that Palestinians deserve a state, up from just 45% six months prior
  • 10 points - The increase in support for a Palestinian state among Israelis, from 45% to 55%
  • 48% - The percentage of Israelis who now believe that the Palestinians want to destroy Israel, down from 60% a year earlier
  • 60% - The percentage of Israelis who believed that the Palestinians wanted to destroy Israel a year ago
  • 70% - The percentage of Israelis who believed that the Palestinians wanted to destroy Israel four years earlier
  • 1999 - The year the election took place

Sources:

  • The Miami Herald, "Israels Vote for Change, Elect Ehud Barak as Prime Minister" (c) 1999, The Miami Herald. Visit The Miami Herald Web edition on the World Wide Web at http://www.herald.com/
  • Steinmetz Center for Peace Research at the University of Tel Aviv, "Poll finds majority of Israelis support Palestinian state" (no date provided)

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