Tzomet-HaTnuah LeZionut Mithadeshet (Junction - Movement for Renewed Zionism)
Yisrael Hamithadeshet (Renewed Israel)
Yisrael Hazaka (Strong Israel)
Zabar (Youth of Israel)
Major Political Parties
Kadima
Party Leader: Tzipi Livni Campaign Slogans: 1) The Courage to Change. 2) A Different leadership.
Official Web Site: http://www.kadima.org.il/ Key Points In Platform:
Supports a negotiated peace process based entirely on
the 'Road Map' Peace Plan, eventually leading to the creation of a
Palestinian state as articulated at the Annapolis Peace Conference.
However, will not negotiate with Hamas-led PA unless Hamas accepts Israel's right to exist, accepts past agreements between Israel and the Palestinians and ends all
violence.
No further unilateral withdrawals; although Israel reserves the right to unilaterally draw final borders if the Palestinians do not
fulfill their obligations under the Road Map.
Favors keeping the 'major settlement blocks' (Ariel,
Gush Etzion and Ma'alei Adumim) within the final borders of Israel.
Governmental reform to stem the power of Central
Committees in Israeli political parties.
Continue to pursue a moderate, market-based economy.
Plans to introduce legislation to legalize civil
marriage and burial.
What the critics are saying about Kadima:
Kadima, led by Ehud Olmert, has achieved very little and may have actually
resided over Israel's first military loss during a war. The Winograd
Commission, that was designed to look into the war and its failings, was
scathing in its criticism of Israel's leadership during the war. Olmert's
popularity descended to an unprecedented single digit as he fought legal
issues. Livni called for Olmert to resign but then retracted her call. Livni's
close association with Olmert has tarnished her image.
Labor
Party Leader: Ehud Barak Campaign Slogans: Look Me in the Eyes and See the Truth, Not Nice, a
Leader
Willing to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority
while remaining strong on security.
In favor of the creation of a Palestinian state, while
dismantling isolated settlements.
Favours increasing the minimum wage,
guaranteeing pensions to every employee, and increasing social security
benefits for the elderly and the handicapped.
Favors maintaining the religious status quo
What the critics are saying about Labor:
Few seem to be able to widely differentiate Labor's policies from Kadima's.
Since Barak's return to political leadership, he has not been able to stand out
and many still resemble his previous leadership and the rumors about his
arrogance and tempestuousness. Labor is also veering further away from its
socialist origins as it is seen as backed by big-business tycoons and has
achieved very little on the issues of welfare.
Likud and Ahi
Party Leader: Binyamin Netanyahu Campaign Slogans: Because we have a country to run, Remaining strong
together Official Web Site:http://en.netanyahu.org.il/ Key Points In Platform:
Has stated willingness to negotiate peace with
Palestinian leadership "not compromised by terror", but
adamantly refuses to negotiate with Hamas and any member of the Hamas-led
PA.
In favor of a realistic solution to the advancement of
the peace-process. This is accentuated by an economic peace-plan which
will bolster the Palestinian economy.
Opposed to dismantling of major settlements
Continue economic reforms started by Netanyahu as
Finance Minister
Favors maintaining status quo in religious/state
issues
What the critics are saying about Likud:
Likud has taken many newcomers to its list and it appears hard to tell where
exactly they fall on the political spectrum. While it has the likes of Dan
Meridor and Uzi Dayan on the left of the party, it also has the likes of Moshe
Yaalon and Benny Begin who are diametrically opposed. Critics have argued that
Likud is running a specifically vague campaign so as not to accentuate the
differences within the party.
Other Political Parties
Yisrael Beitenu-'Israel is our Home'
Party Leader: Avigdor Liberman Campaign Slogans: Lieberman, I trust him! Leadership You Can Trust. Official Website:http://beytenu.org/ Key Points in Platform:
A belief that the "land for peace
approach" is fundamentally flawed only a "land for land peace for
peace" approach, in which both parties compromise and commit to certain
terms, can succeed.
Strong security and anti-crime platform
The desire to see Israel join NTAO and the EU
Easing of conversions and the introduction of civil
unions, while strengethening the Jewish nature of the state.
Shas
Party Leader: Eliyahu Yishai Campaign Slogans: Yes, We Can Official Web Site:www.shasnet.org.il Key Points In Platform:
Sephardic religious movement, led by spiritual mentor
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
Governmental policies should be based on strict Jewish
law
In the past, prepared to relinquish land in return for
peace, but uncomfortable with this policy given increased terror
Pragmatic approach to security based on the sanctity
of life.
Returning the higher social payments to large families
and increase funding for the Yeshivas.
Meretz and the New Movement
Party Leader: Haim Oron Campaign Slogans: Doing what is good for Israel Official Web Site:www.Meretz.org.il Key Points In Platform:
Left-wing social democratic secular party
Supports a just and comprehensive peace between Israel and its neighbors
Has historically supported direct negotiations with
the Palestinians and continues to do so in theory, however, concedes that
direct negotiations with Hamas is ill-advised at this time.
Favors dismantling settlements and an almost full
withdrawal from West Bank, with land swap for the remainder
Supports state recognition of non-Orthodox conversions
and acceptance of patrilineal descent as source of Jewishness
Human, civil rights and social justice agenda
Ecology and a safe environment agenda
United Torah Judaism
Party Leader: Yakov Litzman Campaign Slogans: TBA Official Web Site: None Key Points In Platform:
Coalition of Ashkenazi ultra-orthodox parties representing
the Hassidic and Lithuanian sects
Non-Zionist but would like to see laws strengthen
Judaism in Israel
Can sit with any of the major parties regarding
security issues, but more comfortable with the right as much of its
constituency is hawkish
Advocate on behalf of their constituency regarding
government budgets and social services
United Arab List
Party Leader: IbrahimSsarsour Campaign Slogans: TBA Official Web Site: TBD Key Points In Platform:
Union of three Israeli Arab parties - United Arab Party (Ra'am), Arab
National Party (Mada) and Islamic Movement
Israel should become a state of all its inhabitants and not have
overtly Jewish character
The Arabs should be recognized as a national minority
and be awarded rights accordingly
Full Israeli withdrawal from West Bank, Gaza Strip and
East Jerusalem
Establishment of Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital
Right of return for Palestinian refugees of 1948
National Union
Party Leader: Ari Ariel, Aryeh Eldad Campaign Slogans: Not Afraid At All Official Web Site:http://www.leumi.org.il/ Key Points In Platform:
Left HaBayit Hayehudi because it didn't think the
joint platform was not hard-line enough on the Greater Land of Israel
issue
Joined forces with the largely secular hard-line party
HaTikva
Party Leader: Daniel Hershkovitz Campaign Slogans: Strength, Strength and Be Strengthened Official Web Site:http://www.111.org.il/ Key Points In Platform:
New party, replacing the National Religious Party in
these elections
Against further withdrawals from the West Bank, based
on the on security, Biblical and Zionist beliefs
Against the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strengthening of the state and religious education
system
Hadash - Democratic Front for Peace and Equality
Party Leader: Mohammad Barakeh Campaign Slogans: Building a New Left Official Web Site:www.Hadash.org.il Key Points In Platform:
Non-Zionist and Communist ideology
Improving status of disadvantaged Israelis
Formation of democratic and secular constitution
Improving rights for Israeli Arabs and women
Supports Israel as a state of all its citizens rather
than a 'Jewish State'
Supports formation of a Palestinian state
Supports rights of Palestinian refugees of 1948 to
either return ("right of return") or be compensated for property
abandoned
Gil The Pensioner's Party
Party Leader: Rafi Eitan Campaign Slogans: TBA Official Web Site: http://www.www.gil.org.il/ Key Points In Platform:
Commitment to protecting pension rights, including
housing, raising the amount of national health insurance and services for
pensioners
Politically centrist on security and negotiations with
the Palestinians.
The maintenance of traditional Jewish values and
advancement of democratic values
Meimad Green
Party Leader: Micahel Melchior Campaign Slogans: Choosing a different politics Official Web Site: http://hayeruka-meimad.org.il/english Key Points In Platform:
The party focuses primarily on environmental issues and
promotes "politics of cooperation that will promote peace."
Politically
dovish and believes in a two-state solution based on the 'Green Line'
The party backs train transportation as opposed to paving new
roads.
National Democratic Assembly (Balad)
Party Leader: Jamal Zahalka Campaign Slogans: TBA Official Web Site:www.Balad.org Key Points In Platform:
Israeli Arab party
Israel should be a democratic state of all its citizens
Supports right of return for Arab refugees from the
1948 war
Full Israeli withdrawal from West Bank and East Jerusalem
Judaism
