A Guide to Israel's Political Parties, So Far

Arutz Sheva ^ | 3/12/12 | Rochel Sylvetsky

[Eleutheria5]

It is understandable if the non-Israeli reader finds it hard to follow the changes that have been taking place daily in the lists of Israeli political parties. Arutz Sheva has decided to try to set the reader straight.

First, the established – well, sort of established – parties.

Likud-Yisrael Beytenu: The two parties, one nationalist and the other originally Russian immigrant nationalist, have joined ranks. This is a political move, but may also signal that the Russians, who have taken their place in Israeli life, don't feel the need for their own party anymore. The joint list has still to be formed, but polls show them hovering around 40 Knesset seats.

Likud primaries gave top spots to consistent nationalists who fought for their views, such as Ze'ev Elkin, Tzippy Hotovely and Danny Danon. Feiglin got into the 14th spot and has published his manifesto....

Yisrael Beytenu's list has yet to be chosen by party head Avigdor Lieberman....

Habayit Hayehudi: The inheritor of the now-defunct NRP's constituency has joined Tekuma (one of the founding factions of the Ichud Leumi/ National Union party) in a Religious Zionist list that hopes to attract traditionally observant voters as well and bring back the proud heydays of religious Zionism. Despite the sector's figuring prominently in every facet of Israelis life, it has been sorely under-represented in the Knesset in recent years.

It now has Naftali Bennett, former CEO of the Council for Judea and Samaria and successful hi-tech entrepreneur, at its head, with MK Uri Ariel in second place, former MK Nissan Slomiansky in 3rd and former administrative head of the Rabbinical Courts Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan in 4th. Yaakov Katz ("Ketsaleh") is not on the list this time around. Veteran MK Zevulun Orlev is not on it either.

.....

[Eleutheria5]

I did not know that Ketsaleh is not on the Bayit Hayehudi list, or that the Ihud Leumi consortium has taken a new name with the exit of Yisrael Beteinu. This is a game changer for me. I greatly admire Ketsaleh, and will look into what happened with him and rest of the leadership.

[Bobalu]

Israeli politics just seems so confusing.

[Eleutheria5]

That’s because it’s a mess. But in that mess, the Left is in greater disarray than the Right, which is somewhat together, and that’s a good thing.