Last week we examined the intricacies of the Israeli Knesset and electoral system. This week, we'll look at just exactly who it is that gets elected and what the parties stand for. We'll just dive right in and take a (brief) look at the basics of most of the 30+ parties that are running in the 17th elections to the Knesset. Certain minor parties are not listed due to a lack of public information.

*Denotes a coalition party.

Avodah (Labour)
Avodah is a social democratic and Zionist party, a member of the Socialist International and an observer member of the Party of European Socialists. The party puts social and economic issues on top of its agenda and advocates a moderate social democratic philosophy, including increases in minimum wage and social security payments. HaAvodah believes in negotiations with the Palestinians based on the Oslo Accords, and demands guarantees for the State of Israel to exist in peace and security within defensible borders.

Ichud Leumi & HaMafdal (National Union & National Religious Party)*
The far-right Ichud Leumi supports a drastic reduction in government expenditure and wants priority given to a range of social projects such as transport, environmental rejuvenation, and recycling. The party calls for reforms in the welfare benefit system, believing there should be more of an incentive for recipients to return to the workplace. They oppose the road map to Middle East peace, claiming that it is Oslo in disguise.

HaMafdal supports the principle of "Greater Israel," and believes that the religious status quo should be maintained. They are in favour of separation from the Palestinians, but oppose any withdrawals in the territories. HaMafdal supports the integration of special education students into regular schools; legislation on the establishment of public libraries in all towns; the restriction of pornography and a law requiring the closure of all businesses on the Ninth of Av.

Kadima (Forward)
The new centrist party formed in late 2005 by Ariel Sharon, Kadima 's stated primary aim is to preserve a secure national home for the Jewish people in the land of Israel, and is willing to cede territory in order to do so. They formally supports the road map and its two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but has strongly hinted at further unilateral withdrawals in the West Bank. The party believes in the creation of a Palestinian state on territory defined by demographic considerations, maintaining that any Palestinian state must live in peace with Israel, end all attacks on Israeli targets and dismantle all terrorist infrastructures. The party does not accept the right of return of any Palestinian refugees to areas within Israel's borders.

Likud (Consolidation)
Ultimately a rightist party, Likud maintains ao singular approach to Palestinian statehood, settlers, and the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They claim to support free market capitalism, though in practice it has mostly adopted moderate economic policies, with neoliberal tendencies. The Likud promotes a revival of Jewish-oriented culture, in keeping with the principles of revisionist zionism. Ariel Sharon's departure from Likud in late 2005 led to the formation of the centrist Kadima party.

Meretz-Yahad (Vigor Together)
Meretz supports ending the occupation, resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution, with the creation of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. The party is favor of the privatization of government corporations, but not national bodies. It also advocates increasing the education and welfare budgets, especially welfare payments to the weakest sectors of society, such as single-parent families, the disabled and the homeless. Meretz also supports a total separation of religion, state and politics.

Shas (World Union of Sephardi Torah Guardians)
Shas , the party of ultra-Orthodox Sephardic Jewry, wants the religious status quo maintained, but aspires to expand religious legislation They support the strengthening of the settlements until such time as a permanent agreement is reached with the Palestinians. Shas objects to any attempt to introduce a constitution "even if it is based on the commandments." The party only supports privatization for reasons of effectiveness, insists in guaranteeing workers' rights and objects to any government interference in wage agreements. The party supports sweeping capital taxation, and any tax reform that would benefit the weakest sectors of society and the middle classes.

Shinui (Change)
Shinui supports the establishment of a secular state, free from religious coercion, and a full separation of state and religion. Shinui believes in widespread privatization of government corporations and the prevention of government interference in commercial matters. It also backs free education from kindergarten to higher education, and the redirection of resources to the weakest sectors of society. It also calls for a reduction in the tax burden on the middle classes.

In total there are over 30 political parties running in this week's election.

Taking Action

Hold Mock Elections
Using the information you've learned about how the Israeli elections work and which parties represent Israelies, hold you own mock-Knesset elections. Now that you know how the system works and know who the parties are, you can use your knowledge to help others explore the process.

Keep Informed
The elections are on Tuesday! Watch the news or check the internet to find out how the elections are going and to see which parties are winning.

iTorah Lishmah
Your place in cyberspace to explore the lessons further!
See what others think about this topic and tell others what you think at our online discussion forum.

Does having more than thirty recognized political parties put Israel at a disadvantage or an advantage? Does having a party for almost every political ideology mean that everyone can access the government, or does it mean that no single party can get enough of the country's support to truly represent Israel and Israelis?

Resources

Inspired by this week's iTorah? Want to learn more? Check this out...

www.israelvotes2006.com
Jewish Agency Israeli Election Resources
NFTY.org Israel Central: Find Israel election resources and more.

Jesse Paikin in his fourth year at York University in Toronto, Ontario, double-majoring in Philosophy and Religious Studies with a little theatre and jazz guitar kicked in for good measure. Jesse grew up in the North American Federation of Temple Youth - Northeast Lakes Region (NFTY-NEL), serving as Rosh Tzion (Israel Chair) and President of his NFTY Region. He has also spent five summers at the Union for Reform Judaism Kutz Camp and was a song-leader with NFTY in Israel. Jesse currently works at Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) Canada (the Canadian Association of Reform Zionists) as Campaign Manager for the World Zionist Congress elections. He also sits on the KESHER Leadership Council and is a KESHER-ARZA Fellow. Jesse hopes that one day he will be able to do something really cool for the world. In the meantime, we’ll just have to sit back and deal with his antics.

Copyright ©2006 Union for Reform Judaism Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning and the Youth Division