Both Livni and Bibi are claiming they have the “majority” behind them. Livni claims it because her party got the most votes. Bibi claims it because, while his party did not get the most votes, more people voted for farther-right leaning parties than the rightist Kadima. [People, Kadima is in no way, shape or form, a Leftist party --take it from the die(d)-hard leftist here]. There are problems with both of these claims but Bibi actually has a bigger problem with it. Here’s why. Examine the “right-leaning” party platforms –and their subtexts –and see can you spot the difficulties in making this claim.

Yisrael Beitenu: Platform basics –two-state solution that not only divides up “greater Israel” but also gives away large sections that are bona-fide, unequivocally part of Israel proper because there are some of them there a-rabs sitting on it. This means giving away places like Um al Fakhem and it also means giving away big portions of east Jerusalem. Further, YB wants citizenship to be predicated on a loyalty oath and service (military) to the country. This is directed toward them there a-rabs but also and equally toward them there Ha-rah-deem. They don’t want no more of people’s hard-earned tax monies going toward them there super religious folks having tons of brats and not working either. Indeed, most of the Y.B. supporters I know consider the ha-ra-deem and their breeding like rabbits to be a greater threat to the country than them there a-rabs, only it is socially more acceptable to level the charges toward the a-rabs and thus allow them to put in place the same restrictions against those fearsome super religious people. Lieberman ran on the “I will bring about civil marriage” platform as well and ease of conversion (and his supporters are like yo, we like our pork and shrimp and wanna be able to buy them on shabbat).

Contrast this with Shas: party platform — no division of Jerusalem. In the past, prepared to relinquish land in return for peace, but a little uncomfortable with this policy given increased terror, still not opposed. Tons and oodles of money toward the rabbit-breeding ha-rah-deem and toward religious education. Absolutely no civil marriage and in fact, let the religious folks run education, marriage, no-shopping-on-Shabbat, no shrimps for dinner for you Y.B. supporters, and lots and lots of exemptions for “we don’t wanna serve in the military” for the super religious. “A vote for Y.B. is a vote for Satan.” Environment shmihronment.

Likud — We will not divide Jerusalem. Indeed, this divide or not-divide Jerusalem is really the only difference between Livni and Bibi regarding the Palestinians and any potential peace agreement. [Don't delude yourselves that, should it be politically expedient for him, he'd not divide Jerusalem in a heartbeat. After all, he was willing to completely undo the economic reforms he fought so hard to get in order to bring Shas in line with him.] Opposed to dismantling of major settlements. Continue economic reforms started by Netanyahu as Finance Minister meaning, we will bring Reaganesque economics back to Israel and make sure the poor become poorer and the middle class become poor too –unless you happen to be one of them fearsome really religious folks because we’ve popped into bed with Shas and so our hands are tied and we’ll give just them a bit of a break. Maintaining status quo in religious/state issues –yo no civil marriage for you and yeah you married couple with one of you with only paternal Jewish lineage you can’t be buried together. Environmental issues? Can you repeat the question we’ve not heard of this environment thing.

Kadima — The Israeli nation has a national and historic right to the whole of Israel. However, in order to maintain a Jewish majority, part of the Land of Israel must be given up to maintain a Jewish and democratic state therefore yo, there you go, take some bitlets (but not the whole thing) of east Jerusalem you Palestinians and get lost. Opposed to dismantling of major settlements. Continue to pursue a moderate, market-based economy meaning, we would do something, but believe us it won’t be enough, to keep the poor from becoming poorer and to keep the middle class clinging by their fingernails to keep from falling into the brink. We like the idea of civil marriage and go get buried however and next to whoever you like. We’ll give some kind of a fleeting nod to environmental issues (nod, yes they exist, shake, no we probably won’t do anything about them).

United Torah Judaism: Coalition of Ashkenazi ultra-orthodox parties representing the Hassidic and Lithuanian sects, Non-Zionist but would like to see laws strengthen Judaism in Israel. Like Shas, we want oodles of money for our religious sector and we want social services like buses without any women, well ok, we’ll let them ride in the back of the bus but really it would be better if we could strap them on top or maybe under the bus…Launched campaign aimed at swaying Arab votes in its direction basing its efforts on promise to protect arab sector’s interests against right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu’s ‘racist’ platform and appealed to the Arab voters “who care about matters of chastity and family honor.”

Hemmmm yeah I see a lot of shared interests here with the voters for one block clearly supporting the platforms of the other right-wing parties, don’t you…