I9: Israeli Politics

Issue Navigation:

Disclaimer

By the time you read this chapter, as Chaim
pointed out at the café, it is likely that the
situation in Israel, as well as the political
approaches of each party, will have changed. This
is a general hazard that goes with writing about Israeli politics. Things move fast in Israel so to keep up, you have to follow the news regularly.

Key terms

"the territories" - phrase given to describe the area of Israel that is Judea and Samaria, known also as the west bank (of the Jordan river). This area is heavily populated by Palestinian Arabs with small Jewish settlements dotted around. The area was recaptured by Israel in the Six Day War of 1967.

MK - Member of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament

The Oslo Accords - An agreed three stage peace plan between the Palestinian leader, Yassar Arafat, and Israel's then Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin which was discussed in Oslo in 1994. The first stage, which became known as "Oslo I" involved mutual recognition of each other's rights to statehood. "Oslo II", the second stage, involves Israeli withdrawing from dense Palestinian population centres, while retaining the ability to protect Jewish settlements that are near/in these areas as well as general security needs. This stage is still not yet completed. "Oslo II", at least in theory, is the provision for a "final status" agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis that could lead to a Palestinian state or some level of Palestinian self rule.

Major party platforms

In the presidential elections of June 1996, Binyamin Netanyahu beat Shimon Peres by less than 1%. This gave him the right to form a government which is now running Israel. Following is a brief description of four of the major parties.

LIKUD

Leader: Prime Minister Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu

Key aims: Negotiate a better peace deal than Labour would have by rejecting a Palestinian state and limiting Arafat's power; expand settlement in the territories; make dramatic economic reforms.

LABOUR

Leader: Shimon Peres, MK

Key aims: Promote the approach to peace that was begun by Yitzchak Rabin which contained the possibility of sanctioning a Palestinian state; interested in a peace treaty with Syria even if it means giving them back the Golan heights; accelerate privatisation.

CITIZENS RIGHTS PARTY (CRP)

Leader: Yossi Sarid, MK

Key aims: Back the peace process, labour style; in favour of the creation of a Palestinian state; against religious coercion; push for full civil rights - including secular marriage and burial.

NATIONAL RELIGIOUS PARTY (NRP)

Leader: Zevulun Hammer, MK

Key aims: Back the peace process, Likud style; promote the interests of Modern Orthodox Israelis; expand settlements in the territories.

Next Page