Explained

When

Elections are scheduled for March 28. Israeli citizens residing outside the country have already cast their postal votes.

Who

Israel is a multiparty democracy and the outgoing Knesset had 13 main political and religious formations. The three major parties in the fray this year are the Kadima (meaning ‘Forward’), Likud (‘Consolidation’) and Ha’Avoda (Labour).

Which

Kadima is the front-runner in the opinion polls. Led by Ehud Olmert following Ariel Sharon’s stroke soon after forming the party. Centrist position, had many Jewish settlements in West Bank dismantled recently, wants to finalise country’s borders by 2010.

Likud, led by Benyamin Netanyahu. Rightwing politics. Supports Jewish settlements. In favour of free market economy and revival of Jewishoriented culture.

Labour is led by Amir Peretz and it follows a Zionist, social democrat ideology. Hawkish on defence and security. In campaigning Peretz has expressed a committment to keep Jerusalem united.

The 6th what next

Ever since Israel was formed in 1948, there has been no single party that has won a majority of its own in the Knesset of 120 members. This year too, it is unlikely that any party will win 61 seats for a majority. As in the past there will be coalitions, this time possibly of like-minded parties that favour a gradual disengagment from Palestinian territories.