BALANCE OF POWER IN ISRAEL
Arab political parties will be key
On March 17, while Canadians are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, Israelis will be going to the polls in what many are calling a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rule. Because of Israel’s complicated multiparty system, coalition-building is always a key part of the drama. Here’s a quick look at the state of play. Party: Likud Leader: Benjamin Netanyahu
Current seats: 18 Netanyahu is already Israel’s longest-serving prime minister since founding premier David Ben-Gurion. Although Likud may not gain the largest single share of the Knesset’s 120 seats, the betting is Netanyahu will be able to assemble a right-wing coalition. Most recent polls show 49 per cent of Israelis want him to remain leader. However, as more voters support the smaller right-wing parties, the less power Netanyahu has to cobble them into a government. Party: Zionist Union Leaders: Isaac Herzog, Tzipi Livni
Current seats: 20 New liberal alliance formed to oust Netanyahu. Combines Hatnuah, known for aggressively pushing peace with the Palestinians, and Labor, Israel’s founding party and the party of Golda Meir and Shimon Peres. If the ticket wins (and can build an effective coalition), its two leaders, Labor’s Herzog and Hatnuah’s Livni, would take turns as prime minister. Latest polls show it narrowly beating Likud with 24 seats, but a coalition with Netanyahu’s party might still be on the table. Party: Joint Arab List Leader: Ayman Odeh
Current seats: 11 The Joint Arab List cobbles together all of Israel’s Arab parties for the first time. Polls put it in third place with 13 seats. If Likud and the Zionist Union form a coalition government, the JAL will sit in opposition. Party: Yesh Atid (There Is a Future) Leader: Yair Lapid
Current seats: 20 Yair Lapid has been wooing Israel’s middle class as a “centre-centre” alternative to Likud and Labor. He’s led efforts to prevent Netanyahu’s re-election at all costs, and is reviled in some sectors for pushing through legislation to remove the ultra-Orthodox exemption from the military draft. Yesh Atid could fit in a Zionist Union coalition, but Lapid would probably be excluded from any rightwing coalition. Party: Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) Leader: Naftali Bennett
Current seats: 11 Party of Zionist religious settlers, pro-settlement, anti-the two-state solution. Naftali Bennett says a strong showing for Bayit Yehudi is the only way to prevent a left-coalition government. It could join a Netanyahu government, but only if this means enacting the controversial Jewish State Bill, which would upend Israel’s secular democratic tradition by granting priority citizenship rights to Jewish citizens. Party: Koolanu (All of Us) Leader: Moshe Kahlon
Current seats: 2 Founded a few months ago by Moshe Kahlon, a former Likud minister, this is essentially free-market Likud with a strong credo of social responsibility. Although support has dipped in recent weeks, it could form part of either a right-wing or left-wing coalition. Its most notable candidate is Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S.
Party: Yisrael Beitenu (Israel Our Home) Leader: Avigdor Lieberman
Current seats: 13 Lieberman joined Netanyahu on a joint ticket last election, becoming foreign minister. Now, Likud is trying to steal seats from Yisrael Beitenu, party of Soviet-born Israelis who are hardliners on the Palestinian issue. Beset by corruption scandals and police investigations, it will be lucky to win five seats. Party: Shas Leader: Aryeh Deri
Current seats: 10 Ultra-Orthodox party representing Sephardic Jews is expected to get thrashed as supporters turn to Likud and Yachad. Party leader Ariah Deri, who spent two years in jail for bribery, supports Netanyahu as prime minister. Yahadut Hatorah (United Torah Judaism) Leader: Yaakov Litzman, Moshe Gafni
Current seats: 7 Alliance of two small ultra-Orthodox political parties hopes to win a share of power after supporters’ benefits, such as welfare support and draft deferrals, were attacked in the last government. Recruited secular supporters to start its first Facebook page. Yachad (Yishai+Chetboun+Marzel) Leader: Eli Yishai
Current seats: 2 Upstart faction formed from Shas has earned the support of some of Israel’s most far-right ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox figures. Praised as the only party “committed to adhering to the Torah.” Meretz Leader: Zahava Gal-On
Current seats: 6 Leftist party opposing Netanyahu’s foreign policy, spoke out against the 2014 escalation in Gaza. “Co-ordinating” with the Zionist Union.