Israeli Election Guide: Key Parties and Their Platforms Explained

With Israeli elections imminent on Tuesday, October 27, a guide has been released to help voters understand the diverse landscape of political parties. The article breaks down the platforms of parties ranging from the right to the left, including centrist, Arab, and Haredi factions, detailing their leaders, key policy goals, and distinguishing features.

On the right, Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party focuses on combating terrorism, strengthening Israeli sovereignty, and expanding Jewish settlement in the West Bank, while opposing a Palestinian state. Bezalel Smotrich and Moshe Feiglin of Religious Zionism and Zehut, respectively, also emphasize settlement expansion and Jewish identity, advocating for less government intervention in the economy. Avi Maoz's Noam party prioritizes strengthening Jewish identity in education and traditional family values, opposing LGBTQ+ rights and gender identity discussions in schools, and supporting increased Jewish presence on the Temple Mount.

Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party is characterized by its right-wing security and diplomatic stance, with Netanyahu highlighting the Iranian threat and opposing diplomatic moves he deems risky for Israel. The party traditionally supports a free market, though its economic policies have also involved significant government intervention. Am Israel, represented by former IDF officer Ofer Winter and Arab-Israeli activist Yosef Haddad, advocates for a strong security approach, fighting terror, and bolstering the Zionist identity, while also calling for changes in Haredi conscription.

Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha of Miluimnikim Ve'ha'kalkalit aim to address military service and the cost of living, with Hendel focusing on the status of service members and Zelekha proposing economic plans to lower prices and increase competition. Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu champions right-wing security positions but strongly opposes the Haredi parties, advocating for universal conscription, civil marriage, and reduced religious establishment influence in civilian life.

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid are reuniting under the "Achva" (Together) list, aiming to strengthen security, increase IDF conscription, improve education, and lower the cost of living, with a primary goal of replacing Netanyahu. Gadi Eisenkot's Yachad party seeks to bring his security experience to politics, appealing to voters seeking an alternative to Netanyahu without moving too far left, focusing on strengthening the IDF and promoting broader, more equitable conscription.

On the left, Yair Golan leads the Democrats, a merger of the Labor and Meretz parties, which strongly opposes Netanyahu's government and advocates for a diplomatic solution with Palestinians, enhanced civil rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and greater separation between religion and state. The Arab parties include the Joint List (Hadash, Ta'al, and Balad), which focuses on Arab rights, opposing Israeli control of territories, and supporting a Palestinian state, alongside addressing crime and discrimination. Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, concentrates on the daily issues of Arab citizens, such as violence, housing, and local authority budgets, while also supporting a political solution.

The Haredi parties, Shas led by Aryeh Deri and United Torah Judaism, prioritize preserving the world of Torah study, ensuring budgets for yeshivas, and allowing yeshiva students to continue studying instead of enlisting. Shas appeals to Sephardic and traditional voters, emphasizing social aid, while United Torah Judaism represents the Ashkenazi Haredi public and focuses on maintaining their educational institutions and lifestyle. Both parties are generally aligned with Netanyahu's bloc, but their primary focus remains on Haredi interests.