Party Profiles:
Towards the 1996 Elections

Below please find the party profiles in outline. If you are interested in more detailed materials for other activities, you should find the Bibliography at the end of the file useful.

1. ARAB & COMMUNIST PARTIES

Includes Arab Democratic Party, Progressive List for Peace, HADASH.

These parties, considered to be on the "far" left are made up of both Arabs and Jews. They are strongly in favor of the peace process and want to see a Palestinian state established as soon as possible. They also strongly advocate the rights of Arabs in Israel. Personalities include Abdul Darawshe.

There will be no combined list for the upcoming elections. (See note at end regarding joint lists).

2. MERETZ

Background:
Lit.: "Energy". Formed by 1992 merger of 3 parties: MAPAM [Israeli Workers' Party], RATZ [Citizens' Rights Movement], Shinui [Change].

The move came from unity of views on the peace process, although positions on economic issues vary. Meretz joined the governing coalition after the 1992 elections becoming Labor's most senior partner.

The Meretz chair, Shulamit Aloni, has announced her retirement from the party. Current Environment Minister, Yossi Sarid has taken over as head of the party.

Policy:

1. The peace process must be accelerated in order to find a permanent solution.
2. The Palestinians and Israel both have a right to self-determination; recognition of and respect for this right is the basis of a solution to the Arab-Israel conflict.
3. Jerusalem is Israel's indivisible capital, but its final status must take into account its special national and religious characteristics.
4. Separation of religion and state; equal status for all streams of Judaism.

3. LABOR

Background:
Founded in 1968 through merger of previously dominant MAPAI party with RAFI and Ahdut Ha'avodah; aligned with MAPAM from 1968-84, when known as "Alignment" (Ma'arach). Became the "Israeli Labor Party" in 1984.

Following the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in November, 1995, Shimon Peres was elected Labor Party leader. Prime Minister Peres is Labor's candidate for Prime Minister.

Other key personalities include Yossi Beilin, Haim Ramon, Avraham Baige Shochat, Moshe Shahal, Ehud Barak and Yael Dayan.

Policy:

1. Supports the continuation of the current peace process.
2. Does not support returning all land, nor a Palestinian state, but "some adjustments to the 1967 borders" and "political control" to a Palestinian "entity".
3. Jerusalem is the indivisible, capital of Israel, under Israeli sovereignty, including eastern neighbourhoods, with special status accorded places holy to Islam and Christianity.
4. Secure, defensible borders.
5. Supports continuing all peace talks with nations of the region. Specifically wants to continue talks with Syria. Will make compromises on the Golan Heights if sufficient security concerns are met.
6. Supports continued negotiations with the PLO, but wants Arafat to crack down on terror organisations such as Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

4. THE THIRD WAY

Founded in 1995 as a political movement, becoming a party in 1996. The Third Way was founded by members of Knesset who broke away from the Labor Party claiming that Labor was making compromises that were dangerous to Israel's security, particularly with regard to withdrawals on or from the Golan Heights.

The Third Way claims to be the only alternative to Labor and Likud. It sees itself as a "center" party that is midway between the two major parties who, it claims are both too extreme. In essence, it is, however, a one-issue party.

The Third Way is led by former Labor MK Avigdor Kahalani.

5. YISRAEL BA'ALIYA

Literally "Israel on the advance/increase", the name also refers to the importance of aliya. Founded as a party in 1996 by Natan Sharansky (former refusenik). It aims to promote both further aliya [immigration] and the improvement of the situation and rights of current olim [new immigrants].

Although other immigrant and "one issue" parties contested the last general election but did reach the threshold vote, many believe that this time there is a chance of success, because the new party is united and stands therefore to win a number of seats.

LIKUD / TSOMET / GESHER BLOC

In March 1996, the main opposition party, Likud, along with Tsomet (another party on the right) as well as the newly formed Gesher formed a "United List". This means that while the three will remain separate political parties, they will present a united list for the Knesset in the upcoming elections. The two separate deals guarantee the three parties certain positions on the joint list, such as Netanyahu first, followed by David Levy and Rafael Eitan; it also gives equal treatment to the Tsomet and Gesher parties.

(See note below regarding joint lists).

What follows is a description of the three parties in the joint list:

6. GESHER

Gesher (literally "bridge") was founded in 1996 by a small number of breakaways from the Likud, led by Likud MK David Levy (a former Foreign Minister known for his support for the Moroccan community in Israel).

Gesher is seen by many as a centrist-right party focusing on the social and economic problems of the population in Israel's periphery and development towns, populated initially by immigrants from North Africa.

7. LIKUD - UNITY

Background:
Merger of several parties, including dominant Herut [Freedom] party founded by Ze'ev Jabotinsky, General Zionists and Liberals. First joined National Unity Government in 1967, before the Six Day War. After 29 years of Labor rule, Likud came to power under the late Menachem Begin in 1977 and joined subsequent coalition governments from 1984-1992.

The Likud's leader and candidate for Prime Minister is Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu.

Other personalities include Ariel (Arik) Sharon, Dan Meridor, Benni Begin, Ehud Olmert, Zalman Shoval and Tzahi Hanegbi.

Policy:

1. General principle of negotiability in bilateral negotiations for peace, but opposes territorial compromise. Advocates increasing the population of the settlements in the West Bank, to which it believes Israel has a right.
2. Supports interim self-governing arrangements towards full Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza, but opposes any territorial partition or new state there.
3. The Likud campaigned heavily against the Oslo Accords. While it claims that it will not "go back" on what has been done the Likud wants to "put the brakes" on the current negotiations.
4. Jerusalem is the eternal, indivisible capital of Israel; members of all faiths will always have free access to their holy places.
5. Respects the "status quo regarding religion and state", constitution and electoral reform.

8. TSOMET

Background:
Lit.: crossroads. Founded in 1983 by former IDF Chief-of-Staff Rafael (Raful) Eitan within the now defunct Tehiya Party, as an ideological movement and 1988 became a separate party.

Shortly after the 1992 elections, three Tsomet MKs left the party and formed the "Yi'ud" faction, following disagreements with Raful Eitan. The three subsequently went their own separate ways, dissolving "Yi'ud".

Policy:

1. Believes in pursuit of peace, but opposed to territorial compromise for security and secular, nationalistic reasons; Israel should annex Judea, Samaria and Gaza as part of the Land of Israel.
2. The Palestinians in the territories should be offered a very limited, municipal autonomy.
3. Arab refugees in and from the territories should be resettled in Arab countries.
4. Promotes Jewish settlements in Judea, Samaria and Gaza.
5. Separation of religion and state are part of Tsomet's platform. However, as part of its agreement with Likud and Gesher, Tsomet has agreed to maintaining the status quo regarding religion.

9. MOLEDET

Background:
Lit: "Homeland". Founded 1988 by former IDF general, Rehav'am Ze'evi. Goal: idea of transferring Palestinians of the territories to Arab states [to preclude the existence of a largely binational state]. Following the Likud / Tsomet / Gesher merger, Moledet remains the only party right of the Likud.

Policy:

1. Population transfer is a precondition for peace negotiations with any Arab country. It is the only humane and just solution.
2. The West Bank and Gaza should be annexed into Israel; settlement should continue, while all remaining Arabs should become full citizens of Israel - with all the ensuing obligations.

THE RELIGIOUS PARTIES

Although the religious parties vary in many aspects of their policies, there is talk of the parties combining to form a united list, but this now seems a remote possibility; it would probably not include the MAFDAL.

10. MAFDAL - NATIONAL RELIGIOUS PARTY (NRP)

Background:
Promotes combination of orthodox Judaism and Zionism since early 1920s and served as coalition partner of Mapai-led governments from 1948-1977.

In 1977, the Mafdal's coalition with the Likud ended 29 years of Labor government; until 1992, it joined all governments as part of the Coalition or National Unity Government, and would consider joining a future Labor-led government in 1996.

Although its socialist foundations stem from the religious kibbutz movement, the Mafdal is now usually identified with the "right", because of its territorial position: many of its supporters come from the settlement movement, Gush Emunim.

Personalities include Zevulun Hammer and Hanan Porat.

Policy:

1. Supports direct, bilateral negotiations with Arab states.
2. Believes the territories are part of the biblical Land of Israel and provide security for the state. They are important as part of the Zionist concept. Therefore supports settlements.*
3. Opposes creation of a Palestinian state.
4. Supports the religious status quo; opposes separation of religion and state. Recognizes only orthodox halachic rulings, wishes to amend Law of Return to enforce this with respect to immigrant conversions to Judaism.
5. Like the Likud, Mafdal campaigned actively against the Oslo Accords. However, it is likely to accept many aspects of the agreements now that they have been implemented.

11. SHAS

Background:
Sephardi "Torah Guardians", founded early 1970s, led by [former] Sephardi Chief Rabbi and spiritual figure, Rabbi Ovadia Yossef; first elected to Knesset in 1984.

Shas joined the ruling coalition in 1992, subsequently withdrew, but has not joined the opposition or supported votes of no-confidence in the government.

Policy:

1. Supports Talmudic precept of supreme value of preserving life and therefore amenable to territorial compromise if it would bring true peace.
2. Supports autonomy for Palestinians, but opposes a Palestinian state.
3. Supports the religious status quo, but would like to see a "Jewish state in every way".
   Opposes additional religious legislation or legislation impinging on "freedom of the religious".

12. UNITED TORAH JUDAISM

A 1988 election merger of three existing ultra-orthodox parties: Agudat Yisrael, Degel Ha-Torah and Moriah, representing religious factions in Israel, Europe and the USA. Predominantly Ashkenazi, the party is led by spiritual figure, Rabbi Shach.

According to UTJ, all domestic and foreign policies should be based in Torah law. Different members of the party support either the religious status quo or the passing of more religious legislation, primarily in the area of the Law of Return and personal status. While not active in the political debate over peace, UTJ is seen as slightly more to the right than Shas.

A NOTE ON COMBINED PARTY LISTS:
As is evident from the above, there is a strong move towards united party lists in the 1996 elections.
The reason for this is technical: smaller parties lose seats from excess votes which are insufficient for another Knesset seat - one of the disadvantages of proportional representation. (For example, two parties with sufficient votes for 2 .5 seats would be allocated four seats altogether if separated, but 5 if they combined). In the last elections, Meretz was able to receive more votes than its three individual parties would have made alone.
The parties also hope that the joint lists will be more attractive, as they have a more realistic chance of forming the next government - or influencing policy as part of a coalition agreement.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. "A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED: Israeli Elections and Coalition Scenarios 1992", Dr. Ronald Kronish and Neil A. Cooper, Israel Offices, American Jewish Committee, Jerusalem, June 1992.
2. In "NEW OUTLOOK", May/June 1992, "Elections in Israel: Political Party Platforms", pp.15-17.
3. "THE CAMPUS ISRAELI ELECTION GUIDE", USD/AZYF, Israel Action Center, New York, 1992.
4. "THE YALE MODEL ISRAELI KNESSET", Yale Friends of Israel in conjunction with USD/AZYF, Israel Action Center, Yale 1992.