OK, I know you all want to know what happened.
I didn't get the haircut.
I had an appointment set up but I ditched it in the minute. I will get to it soon. Can't go into sefira looking like a wild man ( or can I?)
I also had the opportunity to vote in my first Israeli election. I can't say it was exciting. I think most people understood that the outcome was preordained. ( If you want to see the results https://www.timesofisrael.com/4335320-ballots-cast-who-got-what/) There was no chance that Gantz would have been asked to form the coalition but it doesn't matter since BeBe won anyway.
That is not to say there were no surprises. The New right party did not make it. It was a big shock, especially to Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked. I was not a fan so I am not upset and it actually worked out well for me, which I will explain later.
The only other major surprise was that the Haredim gained 3 seats. This is after countless articles on how the younger generation is fed up, and want's more opportunities. They were going to support more mainstream parties. Guess that is not accurate. I think the promise of a mitzvah for voting for Shas was a big draw.
Its hard to compete with that.
The Arab parties lost 3 seats. I wonder if some of the Arabs are becoming Haredi. That would explain the numbers.
I was interested to find out that of the five of us from my family who can vote here, we had 3 for Gantz, one for Labour and one for Yisrael Beytenu (YB).
Not familiar with that last one?? Well it is headed by Avigdor Lieberman, who ran on the platform 'secular and right'. He is considered the Russian candidate ( he is from Russia) and was polling not to make at all. I might be the only Anglo who voted for him. I actually like many things about his platform ( but not everything). The important thing is that he is now the make or break for Netanyahu to form the govenment. YB not only made it in to the Knesset, they got 5 seats. Without them Netanyahu has 60 seats.
One short.
My man Lieberman has already said that he will not join if the Haredim are promised too much. He is the finger in the dam. That would not have been the case if Bennett/Shaked would have won. Believe me that the Haredi wish list will be long and with 15 seats they will be asking for more than ever.
So my vote counted.
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. It seems it can only go one way, but you never know. There could be some surprises.
The other big news is that Israel became the 7th country in the world that sent a space ship to orbit the moon. We also tried to land, which only 3 other countries have managed. It was close and the whole country ( or those with TV's) was watching. Unfortunately, during the final approach and landing, the main engine shut down and the spacecraft crashed.
It was a bit sad but when you think of this amazing accomplishment for our small country, it is nothing but miraculous ( if there is such a thing).
We also were able to do this for a fraction of the money that other countries have spent ( including China). Not too shocking as everyone knows we never pay retail.
Hope to be back soon once the government is worked out. As I said at this point anything can happen.
In the USA there is the World Series, and in the rest of the world, there is the World Cup.
We have this.
I actually find it more fun