Candidate's Fact File:
Ehud Barak

Party: Labor (moderate left of center).
Year of birth: 1942.
Place of birth: Kibbutz Mishmar Hasharon.

Education: B.Sc. in physics and mathematics from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. MA in systems analysis from Stanford University (US). Former chief of IDF General Staff (final rank: lieutenant-general). Former political posts: Member of Knesset since 1996. Served briefly as interior minister in the government of Yitzhak Rabin and as foreign minister in the government of Shimon Peres (1995-6).

Basic positions: Generally follows Rabin's line on the peace issue, including willingness for territorial concessions in the Golan Heights. Places great emphasis on the problems of unemployment and the deteriorating health and education services, for which he claims more resources should be allocated at the expense of settlements and "fictitious religious associations."

Strengths: Most highly decorated IDF soldier. Extremely intelligent. Broad knowledge of many issues. Burning ambition.

Weaknesses: Lack of political experience. Public performances not always effective. Inclined to be soloist.

According to latest opinion polls:
Chances of reaching second round: close to certain.
Chances of winning second round: 50:50.
Where votes will go if he does not reach second round: Yitzhak Mordechai.

This candidate's in-depth profile...
Interview...

Links in this section:

Ehud Barak      Fact File      In-depth Profile      Interview Ze'ev Binyamin Begin      Fact File      In-depth Profile      Interview Azmi Bishara      Fact File      In-depth Profile      Interview

Yitzhak Mordechai      Fact File      In-depth Profile      Interview Binyamin Netanyahu      Fact File      In-depth Profile      Interview

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