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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 May 1999 Issue No. 429 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 May 1999 Issue No. 429
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Books Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Vote for a change
I am very pleased that the popularity of the Israeli Labour Party is increasing in the run-up to the forthcoming elections. The most recent polls indicate that Barak has a 12 per cent lead on Netanyahu.
Still, we must not be overly optimistic; it is still possible that Netanyahu will be reelected. We must be prepared for that eventuality, so that any disappointment does not throw us off our guard. The polls can change overnight and, if the elections fall during a period of expansion in the Likud's popularity, the outcome will be entirely different from what we expect at this point.
The very fact that Barak's popularity has increased, however, is in itself a positive indication, even if it makes no difference in terms of a Labour victory. It means, at least, that Labour's constituency cannot be ignored and will necessarily have to be taken into account by any government that comes to power.
In his electoral campaign, Barak has promised that, if he wins, his government will solve all the problems hampering the advancement of the peace process, including the Golan, which no one has mentioned thus far. If anything distinguishes Labour from Likud in Israel, it is that Labour is more realistic; though its policies may change, they remain rooted in the situation on the ground. Likud, on the other hand, still clings to an ideology that no longer has anything to do with reality. Any Israeli government aware of its own best interests must endeavour to achieve peace at any cost.
I sincerely hope, at any rate, that the Arab vote will play an effective role in these elections. If Israel's Arabs unite, they really have the power to make a difference.
Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.
