1) Jerusalem
2) Education
3) Security
4) Refugees
5) Tal Commission
6) Settlements

Education:

Barak:

Ehud Barak understands that progressive education for all Israeli children is a top national priority. Education is the key for solving social problems and closing the gaps within our society.

After only 18 months in power, Ehud Barak can be proud of his achievements in advancing education in Israel. Ehud Barak increased spending on education by 1 billion NIS. Ehud Barak has initiated the process of decreasing university tuition by 50%. Ehud Barak implemented free education for 3-4 year olds in development towns and other areas. When elected, Ehud Barak will nominate Yossi Sarid as Education Minister in his new government.

Sharon: (Not much information)

Sharon has said that he will allow Shas to decide on who will be the Education minister in his new government.

Sharon intends to foster educational programmes geared to teaching peace to both sides, starting with school age children.

Security:

Barak:

Ehud Barak served Israel as a soldier for 35 years dedicating his life to Israel's security. As he has done throughout his life.

As someone who lost friends, commanders and subordinates, he knows first hand the terrible consequences of war. His conviction regarding the necessity of peace and his belief in the IDF's ability to win any given war are elements which led Barak to act in order to achieve a peace agreement, while insisting on the security of Israel and its citizens.

Concern for human lives is what led him to his decision to leave Lebanon after 18 years. His sense of responsibility will provide security without falling into dangerous and deadly recklessness. Ehud Barak will continue taking the right steps in order to provide security to Israel's citizens while hunting down those responsible for terrorism.

Sharon:

To create and maintain joint efforts and cooperation to combat terrorism and the terror infrastructures in the PA territories and abroad.

To set up a security stabilizing programme, to be ready to implement several security measures to meet and stop possible escalation moves that the PA may initiate, the main one being a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state and attempts to deploy UN or multinational forces in the territories and in Israel. If the Palestinians unilaterally declare a state, Sharon has said that israel should respond by essentially annexing parts of the West Bank.

Jerusalem:

Barak:

No information

Sharon:

Jerusalem is non-negotiable.

The status quo would be maintained, Jerusalem will continue to have full Israeli sovreignty.

Refugees:

Barak:

No information

Sharon:

Under no circumstances will any of the Palestinian refugees from 1948 be allowed back into sovereign Israel, and they will have to be resettled in the countries in which they live. At the same time, Sharon will demand that compensation for Palestinian refugees be matched by compensation for Jews who fled from Arab countries in the late 1940's and 1950's.

The refugees would continue to be dealt with in the context of family reunification and other humanitarian considerations.

Settlements:

Barak:

No information

Sharon:

Jewish communities would not be uprooted and the IDF would maintain secure and open routes to all settlements. Sharon said that he would not even contemplate evacuating the isolated Gaza settlement of Kfar Darom.

Tal Law:

Barak:

Ehud Barak is determined to promote Civil Reform, which would allow all Israeli citizens to live their lives according to their ideas and beliefs, without jeopardizing the democratic and Jewish character of the country.

Now Barak is acting in the same determination in order to promote and continue Civil Reform:

The cancellation of the "Tal Law" so that the ultra orthodox are drafted to national service; allowing businesses to operate on Shabbat and allowing civil marriages in Israel

Sharon:

A few months ago 3/10/00, Sharon said that although he identified with the feelings of those involved, his conscience would not allow him to support the Tal Law, and he voted against it.

In contrast to this on 2/1/01 Sharon voted for the Tal Law, allowing Yeshiva Students to continue to defer their army service.