If Israelis living in Los Angeles had been able to vote, Ariel Sharon would have won by about 80 percent, according to two knowledgeable Israelis on opposite sides of the political fence.
"Israelis abroad are even more right-wing than at home. It’s easier to fight Israel’s wars from a distance," said Gal Shor, editor-in-chief of the Hebrew-language weekly "Shalom L.A."
Isaac Benyamini, owner of a travel agency and former president of the Hebrew-speaking B’nai B’rith Shalom Lodge, agreed with the estimate, but, in contrast to Shor, applauded the results.
"Sharon’s election is exactly what Israel needs," Benyamini said. "We need a hardliner. We can’t hold peace talks under enemy fire."
Shor said he was disappointed but not surprised by the election results. "I think Barak was on the right path. We will find that the Clinton formula for peace will be the ultimate solution."
Rafi Fattal, who is in the real estate business, said it was about time that Israel elected a man who, when slapped, wouldn’t turn the other cheek. He predicted that Sharon will have learned from his mistakes of the past.
"The Sharon today is not the Sharon of 40 years ago," Fattal said.
"No matter what happens, it’s going to be a big mess," said Adi Griner, who works at Tempo, a restaurant popular with Israelis.
The relatively low voter turnout in Israel was reflected in the apathy of local Israelis.
Of some 11 Israelis invited for a group discussion at noon, when the first exit poll figures reached Los Angeles, only three showed up at Jerry’s Deli in Encino.
"I’ve encountered a lot of apathy," confirmed Meirav Eilon-Shahar, the local Israeli consul for public affairs.
While waiting for the Israelis, two American Jews weighed in with their opinions.
"Sartre said that anti-Semites define the Jew," said Alan Jacobs, a young filmmaker. "In that sense, Arafat made Sharon."
And Bernard Faber, a retired life insurance agent, opined that even Sharon was too far to the left for him. "I’m the hardest of hardliners," Faber said. "We’ve got to get the Arabs out of there."
