Israeli legislative election, October 1949

[Peter the Lefty]

      The results of Israel's first election were something of a surprise.  Mapai, considered to be almost guaranteed to walk away far ahead of anyone else, won only 30 seats.  It was still clear, of course, that Ben Gurion had a mandate to lead the country.  It was also clear that Ben Gurion was the unchallenged leader of Mapai. 

      The General Zionists were the big surprise of the election.  Under Israel Rokah's leadership, they managed to score 23 seats.  It was especially surprising to many Jews in the diaspora that a center-right party could do that well in a Jewish state.  Few could come up with an explanation, other than a general desire to keep Mapai in check. 

      Maki came in a surprisingly strong third place with 19 seats.  Despite creeping anti-Semitic tendencies in the USSR, Communism remained strong among much of the Jewish population, and its critiques of many aspects of Zionism won the support of many Arabs.  Schmuel Mikunis was also credited for much of its success. 

      The United Religious Front scored 16 seats under Yehuda Lieb Maimon's leadership.  No surprise.

      Mapam also did surprisingly badly.  It appeared that most of the left-of-Mapai vote opted to go all-out and vote for Maki.  Meir Ya'ari now seemed to be quite vulnerable within the party. 

      Herut fell short of expectations, winning only 6 seats.  Yet despite this poor result, it was clear that the party would remain under Menachem Begin's leadership, due to oratory skills unmatched by anyone in Israel besides Ben Gurion himself.

      Pinchas Rosen's Progressive Party fell short, winning only three seats.  It appeared that most of his base wound up voting for the General Zionists instead.  Rosen now appeared to be on thin ice. 

      The Sephardim and Oriental Communities bloc did relatively well, gaining 3 seats in the new Knesset. Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit seemed secure. 

      The Democratic List of Nazareth did decently well with 3 seats.  Though few Arabs saw it as representative of their interests, many who were resigned to Mapai's leadership of the country felt it best to get Arab representation in the government as strong as possible. 

      Another big surprise of the election was the strong showing by the Yemenite Association.  It won a full 3 seats, thanks to many votes from non-Yemenite Sephardi/Mizrahi voters who had reservations about the Sephardim and Oriental Communities bloc.

      The Fighters' List only scored one seat, for its leader, Nathan Yellin-Mor. 

      The Women's International Zionist Organization also won only a single seat, for its leader, Rachel Cohen. 

[Peter the Lefty]

      Still the undisputed leader of Mapai, despite the disappointing result, Ben Gurion was selected by the Chairman of the Provisional Council, Chaim Weizmann, to form the first government of the state of Israel.  Ben Gurion consulted immediately with other party leaders.  He seemed to have two viable options: A. A left-leaning government comprised Mapai, the United Religious Front, Mapam, the Sephardim and Oriental Communities, the Democratic List of Nazareth, the WIZO, and the Yemenite Association; and B. A broad government consisting of Mapai, the General Zionists, the United Religious Front, and the various smaller parties (aside from the Fighters' List).

      If Ben Gurion were to chose the former, he's have to balance out Mapam's leftism and adamant secularism with the URF's policies.  In addition, their foreign policy demands would prove difficult as he was establishing the state.  At the same time, a broader government would present far greater challenges regarding economic consensus.  Still, the most important priority for Ben Gurion was attaining a cease fire in the war.  And for that to work, he wanted the strongest possible government negotiating it. 

      Ben Gurion met with Rokah to invite him into his government.  There was a strict agreement: the government would work only to negotiate a cease fire, and nothing more.  Once it was achieved, the government would disband.  In addition, Rokah would receive the Foreign Ministry.  Ben Gurion would have the Defense Ministry as well.  Maimon made a modest request for the Health Ministry.

      There was a catch to having a strong government.  Shmuel Mikunis would be the first Opposition Leader of Israel. 

      The new government set out to continue negotiations with the Arab states for a permanent cease fire.  Still, this did not stop Ben Gurion from launching Operation Uvda in March, in order to win over control of the Southern Negev desert.  This was, however, the last major operation of the war.  A permanent cease fire was reached in July.  As per the agreement between Ben Gurion and Rokah, the government immediately broke apart, and Ben Gurion resigned.  After being asked to form a second government, he then held talks with the other party leaders, hoping to form a government consisting of Mapai, the United Religious Front, Mapam, the Progressive Party, the Sephardim and Oriental Communities, the Democratic List of Nazareth, and the Yemenite Association.  Mapam announced its willingness to relinquish its demand for a Soviet-oriented foreign policy should Ben Gurion agree to a non-aligned one.  Ben Gurion could not accept this.  President Weizmann then asked Rokah to form a government, but the latter was unable to cobble together enough parties simply for negotiations to even have a shot at forming a government.  The Knesset then dissolved, and new elections were scheduled for October. 

[Peter the Lefty]

      Mapai is still under David Ben Gurion's leadership.  Still democratic socialist, it is promising to introduce compulsory schooling, a minimum income, a national insurance scheme, and a slew of social welfare programs, including old-age pensions, maternity insurance, workers' compensation provisions, and other such measures.  The party continues to support keeping martial law in place on Israel's Arab citizens.  

      The General Zionists are running on a platform of free market economic policies, support of private property, and other center-right policies.  They still support some social welfare programs, but are, by secular-Jewish standards, certainly center-right.  Israel Rokah is leading the campaign.

      Maki is running as the torch-bearer of Soviet Communism, under Shmuel Mikunis's leadership.  The party is supporting the state-collectivization of agriculture, a dictatorship of the proletariat, a permanent cessation of hostilities with the Arab states, full alignment with the Soviet Union, and the rest.  It is one of only two major parties calling for the lifting of martial law on the Arab citizens of Israel.

      The United Religious Front is running once again under Yehuda Leib Maimon's leadership, on the same platform as in 1949.  The party supports the imposition of religious law, as well as what it perceives as the basic rights of the religious community.  The economic platform of the party is vaguely center-left.  Central to the platform, once again, is a promise to get whatever government it sits in to provide adequate funding for the Orthodox Yeshivas, and extra welfare programs for the Orthodox community, whose religious traditions prevent them from seeking traditional employment.  

      Mapam is attempting to climb up from its disappointing result in January.  It is running on a platform of a more extensive welfare state than that being proposed by Mapai, as well as a pro-Soviet foreign policy.  In addition, it is promising to improve the quality of life of Arab citizens of Israel, and has a few Arabs on its list.  It is promising to lift martial law on Arabs, and supports allowing Arabs who fled (either by their own decision or due to force) to return.  It is also running on a strongly secular platform.

      Herut is blasting Ben Gurion and Rokah for their cease fire with the Arab states, with its leader, Menachem Begin, delivering fiery speeches almost daily in the Knesset.  Begin is also promising a market-based economy, but one with legislation to ensure protect workers' rights and wages.  The party is also secular.  However, the extreme nationalism and expansionism of the party is currently the prevailing theme of the platform.  

      The Progressive Party is still under the leadership of Pinchas Rosen, despite its disappointing result last time around.  Once again, the party is backing a market economy with robust social programs, and a strongly secular state.  
      
      The National Unity List of Sephardim and Oriental Communities is running once again on a platform of representing the quickly-growing Mizrahi and Sephardi community of Israel.  Evacuations of Jews from Arab countries have already begun, and this community is growing quite quickly.

      The Democratic List for Israeli Arabs is led by current MK Seif el-Din el-Zoubi, who many Arabs believe is working with Ben Gurion to co-opt their vote whilst elevating his own status.  It is allied with Mapai.  

      The Yemenite Association is seeking to represent the Yemenite Jewish community in Israel, though other Sephardim and Mizrahim voted for it last time as well.  Led by Zecharia Glosca.  

      Progress and Work is another Arab satellite list aligned with Mapai.  Led by Salah-Hassan Hanifes.  

      Agriculture and Development is yet another Arab satellite list allied with Mapai.  Led by Faras Hamdan.

[politicus]

Which party did Rachel Cohen join after the (apparently?) decided to absolve The Women's International Zionist Organization list?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Give Ben Gurion a solid majority!

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

General Zionists.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Give Ben Gurion a solid majority!

[ElectionsGuy]

General Zionists.

[Peter the Lefty]

Holy sh**t what's up with Mapam's spike?

[politicus]

Which party did Rachel Cohen join after the (apparently?) decided to absolve The Women's International Zionist Organization list?

[Peter the Lefty]

Which party did Rachel Cohen join after the (apparently?) decided to absolve The Women's International Zionist Organization list?

I'm basically just saying the WIZO decided not to run this time around.  She'll be back though.

[RogueBeaver]

General Zionists.

[Peter the Lefty]

Given how well Mapam is doing, I very well may end up switching my vote to the Progressive Party just to save them.

[Vosem]

Voted for Herut again, but if it really seems like a further-left party might displace Mapai, I might be tempted to change my vote towards Mapai.

[Goldwater]

General Zionists.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

RIP FIghter's List

[Famous Mortimer]

      The results of Israel's first election were something of a surprise.  Mapai, considered to be almost guaranteed to walk away far ahead of anyone else, won only 30 seats.  It was still clear, of course, that Ben Gurion had a mandate to lead the country.  It was also clear that Ben Gurion was the unchallenged leader of Mapai. 

      The General Zionists were the big surprise of the election.  Under Israel Rokah's leadership, they managed to score 23 seats.  It was especially surprising to many Jews in the diaspora that a center-right party could do that well in a Jewish state.  Few could come up with an explanation, other than a general desire to keep Mapai in check. 

      Maki came in a surprisingly strong third place with 19 seats.  Despite creeping anti-Semitic tendencies in the USSR, Communism remained strong among much of the Jewish population, and its critiques of many aspects of Zionism won the support of many Arabs.  Schmuel Mikunis was also credited for much of its success. 

      The United Religious Front scored 16 seats under Yehuda Lieb Maimon's leadership.  No surprise.

      Mapam also did surprisingly badly.  It appeared that most of the left-of-Mapai vote opted to go all-out and vote for Maki.  Meir Ya'ari now seemed to be quite vulnerable within the party. 

      Herut fell short of expectations, winning only 6 seats.  Yet despite this poor result, it was clear that the party would remain under Menachem Begin's leadership, due to oratory skills unmatched by anyone in Israel besides Ben Gurion himself.

      Pinchas Rosen's Progressive Party fell short, winning only three seats.  It appeared that most of his base wound up voting for the General Zionists instead.  Rosen now appeared to be on thin ice. 

      The Sephardim and Oriental Communities bloc did relatively well, gaining 3 seats in the new Knesset. Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit seemed secure. 

      The Democratic List of Nazareth did decently well with 3 seats.  Though few Arabs saw it as representative of their interests, many who were resigned to Mapai's leadership of the country felt it best to get Arab representation in the government as strong as possible. 

      Another big surprise of the election was the strong showing by the Yemenite Association.  It won a full 3 seats, thanks to many votes from non-Yemenite Sephardi/Mizrahi voters who had reservations about the Sephardim and Oriental Communities bloc.

      The Fighters' List only scored one seat, for its leader, Nathan Yellin-Mor. 

      The Women's International Zionist Organization also won only a single seat, for its leader, Rachel Cohen. 

Surprised it hasn't been mentioned already. You switched Mapam and Maki. Mapam came in second, not the Communists.

[Peter the Lefty]

      The results of Israel's first election were something of a surprise.  Mapai, considered to be almost guaranteed to walk away far ahead of anyone else, won only 30 seats.  It was still clear, of course, that Ben Gurion had a mandate to lead the country.  It was also clear that Ben Gurion was the unchallenged leader of Mapai. 

      The General Zionists were the big surprise of the election.  Under Israel Rokah's leadership, they managed to score 23 seats.  It was especially surprising to many Jews in the diaspora that a center-right party could do that well in a Jewish state.  Few could come up with an explanation, other than a general desire to keep Mapai in check. 

      Maki came in a surprisingly strong third place with 19 seats.  Despite creeping anti-Semitic tendencies in the USSR, Communism remained strong among much of the Jewish population, and its critiques of many aspects of Zionism won the support of many Arabs.  Schmuel Mikunis was also credited for much of its success. 

      The United Religious Front scored 16 seats under Yehuda Lieb Maimon's leadership.  No surprise.

      Mapam also did surprisingly badly.  It appeared that most of the left-of-Mapai vote opted to go all-out and vote for Maki.  Meir Ya'ari now seemed to be quite vulnerable within the party. 

      Herut fell short of expectations, winning only 6 seats.  Yet despite this poor result, it was clear that the party would remain under Menachem Begin's leadership, due to oratory skills unmatched by anyone in Israel besides Ben Gurion himself.

      Pinchas Rosen's Progressive Party fell short, winning only three seats.  It appeared that most of his base wound up voting for the General Zionists instead.  Rosen now appeared to be on thin ice. 

      The Sephardim and Oriental Communities bloc did relatively well, gaining 3 seats in the new Knesset. Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit seemed secure. 

      The Democratic List of Nazareth did decently well with 3 seats.  Though few Arabs saw it as representative of their interests, many who were resigned to Mapai's leadership of the country felt it best to get Arab representation in the government as strong as possible. 

      Another big surprise of the election was the strong showing by the Yemenite Association.  It won a full 3 seats, thanks to many votes from non-Yemenite Sephardi/Mizrahi voters who had reservations about the Sephardim and Oriental Communities bloc.

      The Fighters' List only scored one seat, for its leader, Nathan Yellin-Mor. 

      The Women's International Zionist Organization also won only a single seat, for its leader, Rachel Cohen. 

Surprised it hasn't been mentioned already. You switched Mapam and Maki. Mapam came in second, not the Communists.

....Mapam was fifth.  Maki was third.

[MalaspinaGold]

This is an interactive election series. The last election saw a dead heat between Mapai and General Zionists, resulting in an unstable coalition that proceeded to implode.
 
Peter, you might want to consider linking the previous thread to the initial post here.

[Famous Mortimer]

Yeah, I don't get it. What the hell is this?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

It might make sense in the future not to allow people to change their votes since when people cast their votes in actual elections, they don't have the option of changing their vote after it has been cast if it suddenly looks like another party with a somewhat similar ideology might have a better chance of winning than they thought.

[Dr. Cynic]

Yay! Another election in 6 months!

[Peter the Lefty]

Yeah, I don't get it. What the hell is this?

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=210279.0

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

General Zionists.

[H. Ross Peron]

Give Ben Gurion a solid majority!