The Candidates
Barak, Begin,
Mordechai, Netanyahu
Bishara

Political Blocs & Parties
The political spectrum
The party lists
The Left
The Right
The Center
Religious parties
Sephardic parties
Immigrant parties
Arab parties
Women in politics

Campaign Issues
Peace and security
Economy and social issues

The Electoral System
Knesset elections
Elections for the PM
Who can stand
Who can vote
The Parties Law

System of Government
Knesset
Constitutional law
Government

Former PMs
A thumbnail guide to Israel's past leaders

Israel's Political History
An overview of the first 50 years, period by period.

Link Center
Hot links to other election sites and resources.

Party: Center (moderate center).
Year of birth: 1944.
Place of birth: Iraqi Kurdistan.

Education: He has a BA in History from Tel Aviv University and an MA in Political Science from Haifa University. He was studying, and has since postponed, his studies in Law at the Herzliya "Michlalah" and Jewish Studies at Bar Ilan University because he took up a high profile public position. Former OC Northern Command (major-general).

Former political positions: Member of Knesset since 1996. Served as defense minister in the Netanyahu government (1996-9).

Basic positions: Favors continuation of the peace process. Advocates "a different style of leadership." Strongly identified with the weaker parts of the population.

Strengths: First serious Sephardi candidate for prime minister. Considered balanced in his positions. Religiously traditional, thus not opposed by the religious parties. Folksy charm.

Weaknesses: Said to carry a grudge regarding his non-appointment as chief of General Staff. Regarded as a "political traitor" by many Likud supporters, because of his decision to join and lead the Center Party.

According to latest opinion polls:
Chances of winning if he reaches second round: excellent. Chances of reaching second round: slim. Where votes will go if he does not reach second round: most to Barak, some to Netanyahu.

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