San Francisco art gallery owner Shmulik Krampf looked almost dazed as he took in Ehud Barak’s win.
“I’m so happy I am just holding back the tears,” the Israeli native said. “I have a good feeling Israel is on the right track.”
But Helene Klein, far from feeling celebratory, said she nearly wanted to “sit shiva.”
“I am very disappointed,” said the regional chair of Americans for a Safe Israel. The prime minister-elect “is ready to give the store away. That is very, very dangerous for the existence of Israel.”
Krampf and Klein were among about 50 people who crowded into a room at the downtown San Francisco law firm of Morrison & Foerster on Monday afternoon to participate in an hourlong, live video conference. The event linked American Jews across the country with pundits in Israel, Washington and New York.
Via two large video screens set up in the front of a conference room, participants here could see and hear counterparts in similar sites across the country, reacting to the elections in “real time.”
Some of those gathered in San Francisco let out small yelps of joy and gave thumbs-up signs as an Israeli political expert announced the Labor/One Israel leader’s win.
Among those visibly elated was Eva Seligman-Kennard, former associate director of the Bay Area Council of Jewish Rescue and Renewal. “I’m very, very excited this has happened,” said the San Anselmo resident. “I had absolutely no love for Netanyahu.”
For Terra Linda resident Michael Franzblau, a supporter of Benjamin Netanyahu, any disappointment at seeing the Likudnik lose was outweighed by the excitement of learning that 80 percent of Israel’s eligible voters showed up at the polls.
“I truly believe in the democratic process,” said Franzblau, a retired physician. “The Israeli people have spoken, and it’s my feeling I must accept their viewpoint. I will be as supportive as I can.”
As results were announced, Jewish leaders and political experts offered analyses of how Barak’s win is likely to affect the peace process and U.S.-Israel relations. Many in the room took copious notes.
Krampf, owner of the Refusalon gallery in the South of Market area, said he would have flown back to Israel to vote in a second round had Barak faced Netanyahu in a runoff. Instead, Barak trounced the incumbent 56 percent to 44 percent, leaving Krampf elated and relieved.
A number of those present also expressed relief the results would preclude two more weeks of potentially acrimonious campaigning.
The video conference, which was sponsored by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the United Jewish Communities, linked San Francisco to eight cities, including Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The high-tech meeting gave local Israel junkies the chance to get in on this week’s heady developments as they unfolded.
At times, the video images had the jumpy look of a view inside the space shuttle. However, the voices of those hailing Barak’s win as the start of a new era were perfectly clear.
Just minutes after pronouncing the results in the prime minister’s race, Arye Carmon, director of the Jerusalem-based Israel Democracy Institute, announced that Netanyahu had resigned as leader of the Likud Party. That elicited another small stir.
“People know Netanyahu has failed them,” Krampf said. “I think that’s why he chose to resign. I thought he would give a better fight.”
Franzblau said the ousted prime minister will be remembered for firmly linking the peace process and security. “Even though Netanyahu has been vilified, he did bring the right [wing] into the peace agreements,” he said.
More of the discussion, however, focused on Barak.
Daniel Shek, Israel’s consul general for the Pacific Northwest region, said the former general has many lessons to learn from the tenures of former prime ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres.
“Many analysts said they failed to look beyond their natural supporters,” Shek said. “They did not seek a broad base.”
Though it appears Barak could build a governing coalition comprised solely of representatives from the secular parties, Shek believes the new premier may look beyond those partners.
“I would not be surprised if he attempts to build a very, very broad coalition in order to build legitimacy for any deal he may cut with the Palestinians,” posited Shek, who received, among other early congratulatory calls, a ring from the Egyptian consul general in San Francisco.
The Israeli consulate put together the local feed of the video conference along with the Jewish Community Relations Council and S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation.
On hand at the event were Jewish community professionals and lay leaders, along with Israelis such as Krampf, who has kept up with the elections through conversations with family and friends back home.
Rabbi Brian Lurie, president and CEO of the Jewish Museum San Francisco and former executive vice president of the then-United Jewish Appeal, hailed the election as a “strong victory for Israel.”
“There is now clearly an opportunity for an Israeli secular majority to rule. On a personal note: Thank God.”
While the video conference proved a lively forum, the Internet provided another venue for American Jews to sound off on Barak’s victory. Hundreds offered their views during live interactive chats. Others posted messages on electronic bulletin boards.
“Delighted to see Netanyahu is defeated,” wrote one Barak supporter in a message posted on the Jewish Community Online site of America Online. “He was a dishonest liar from the start who never intended to keep Israel’s peace agreements. Maybe now Israel can begin to regain international respect by implementing the Wye River Accords.”
In contrast, a supporter of Israel’s ousted premier lamented Netanyahu’s loss. “Hello Barak, goodbye Jerusalem, goodbye Golan Heights. Peace at any price will mean no more Israel,” the writer said, adding “no wonder Arafat is happy.”
One free-flowing exchange in a chat room on the site, meanwhile, contained a series of piquant observations such as one from a dismayed Netanyahu supporter: “Arabs were dancing in the streets. What does that tell you?”
Replied a backer of the newly elected prime minister: “It could just as well tell you that they feel that a peace may develop.”