Israeli political parties - 19th knesset

The Israeli political parties running for elections in the 19th Knesset. First the ones which are currently represented, and how many seats they have. Note that the term "social justice" as used here indicates the party supports heavy use of welfare and other social programs to make life easier on the less economically powerful, at the expense of heavier taxes on others. Much of the detail taken from this Hebrew-language article and Wikipedia (as well as the parties' pages).

The information is intended to be neutral, though I was not entirely capable of that as you can see. Quote marks should not be construed as indicating sarcasm, they usually indicate a quote from the source pages.

The Hebrew at the beginning of each line indicates the letters which will be printed on the official ballot cards to identify the parties.

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Parties in the 18th Knesset

Number of seats held by each follows the name:

ץ Am Shalem 1 - "Whole Nation"

Unity and amity through "moderate Judaism". Social justice. Led by Ḥaim Amsalem, who was a Shas MK. He split from Shas due to fundamental disagreements with Shas leadership.

אמת Avodah 8 - "Labor"

The remnants of the old Mapai (Worker's Party of Israel), which held the reigns for many decades. Issues include social rights, wealth redistribution (via "fair taxes"), social-democrat platform, pursuing peace process, dealing with regional strategic goals, fighting terror and fundamentalism

ד Balad 3 - "National Democratic Alliance"

Secular Arab "democratic party", change Israel into "one nation of all its citizens" rather than a Jewish state; social justice, personal and national rights, Palestinian children's rights

טב Bayit Yehudi / Iḥud Leumi 5 (3+2) - "Jewish Home" / "National Union"

The parties were separate in the 18th Knesset, but merged for the 19th. Each has different platforms and it's not clear to me how they can be reconciled:

B"Y want to annex "area C", granting citizenship to 50K arabs there, grant full autonomy to PA, no pal right of return free-market w/ social responsibility.

The I"L want full expression of Israeli sovereignty over all Israel, public Jewishness of Israel, restraint of gov't interference in the private realm

ו Hadash 4 - "National Democratic Front for Peace and Equality"

A mostly Arab party, seeking a "just" arab-israeli peace, complete withdrawal from 67 lines, socialist economy, environment, elimination of weapons of mass destruction

צפ HaTenuah 7 - "The Movement" (led by Tzipi Livni)

After leaving Likud for Kadima and unsuccessfully leading that party, Tzipi Livni split from Kadima to form her own party. Platform includes complete rights for every citizen, western liberal democracy, everyone does national service/army, social justice

כן Kadima 21 - "Forward"

Initially formed by Ariel Sharon when he broke from Likud and took many Likud members with him. Subsequently lead by Tzipi Livni and now by Shaul Mofaz, it was the largest party in the 18th Knesset and now may not be able to garner even five seats. Platform includes: "two state solution" via the "Road Map", while maintaining the desire for Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Social justice by means of negative income tax for low income earners among other things. Creation of a constitution, changing the method of gov't in Israel.

מחל Likud 42 (27+15) - "Union"

Currently most powerful party, merged with "Israel Beitenu" for the current election cycle. Platform includes: a two-state solution with "red lines": keeping J"M united as the capitol, no Pal. "right of return", Pal. recognition of Israel as Jewish. Continuation of economic growth.

מרצ Merets 3 - "Energy"

Ideologically "Left": leave all "territories", two-state solution implementing the Arab league platform, divided Jerusalem, redistribution of wealth, separation of religion/state, same-sex marriage, civil marriage etc.

נץ Otsma LeYisrael 2 - "Power to Israel"

Was part of the "Iḥud Leumi", but broke off when they joined with "HaBayit HaYehudi". Ideologically "Right": no withdrawal from any "territories", no establishment of a Pal. state west of the Jordan. "Without obligations, there are no rights", Israel belongs to the Jewish people as defined by the Torah (though it's not a "religious party").

עם Ra'am-Ta'al 4 (3+1) - "United Arab List"

Elimination of Israeli control of the "territories", removing Jews from the "territories" and establishing a Pal. state there. Ensuring Pal "right of return", rejection of demand for Arabs to serve in the army, support for "liberating" Muslim holy sites in Israel. Remind me why these guys aren't running in Ramallah?

שס Shas 10 - "Union of Torah-observant Sepharadim"

Under the nominal auspices of R' Ovadia Yosef, their issues revolve around social justice, welfare state, community solidarity strengthening Torah education, peace with neighbors but w/o giving up Jerusalem

ג Yehadut HaTorah 5 - "Torah Judaism"

Union of "Agudat Yisrael" and "Degel Hatorah", the two Ashkenazi ḥareidi parties. They are concerned with forming a Torah-based gov't and society, and with safeguarding ḥareidi prerogatives.

Parties which are new or not in the current Knesset

פנ Aḥim Anaḥnu - "We are brothers"

Ethiopian olim, concerned with stopping discrimination

קנ Aleh Yaroq - "Green Leaf"

Most noted for intent to legalize cannabis, essentially a libertarian party emphasizing individual liberties, local assistance instead of gov't, separation of religion and state, civil marriage, reducing length of military service while increasing pay of soldiers, digital freedom, privatization of housing market

זה Atid Ehad - "One Future"

One issue only: opposition to pornography

הי Moreshet Avot - "Inheritance of our forefathers"

Want a unity gov't, securing democracy, improvement of the army, peace with our neighbors, strengthening economy

נ Brit Olam -- "Eternal Covenant"

Establish a leadership which is based upon Jewish values, God and Torah. Creation of a constitution based upon the Torah. Extending Jewish governance on all Judea and Samaria. Free distribution of the Land of Israel to Jews. Social justice.

פץ Kulanu Ḥaverim - "We are all brothers"

Breslover party. Seek unity amongst all Jews

ק Daam - "Worker's Party"

Communist party, rejected the "Oslo Accords" as too favorable to Israel. Seeks ending the "occupation", return to 67 borders and establishment of Pal. state there, removing all "settlements". Increasing taxes on businesses and reducing them on individuals. Cessation of "foreign workers". Absolute separation of religion and state.

זך Dor (Gimlaim) - "Generation" (Pensioners)

Social justice, specifically for the young and the retired. "Center-Zionist", will join any coalition, supports two-state solution.

ז Erets Ḥadasha - "New Land"

Leftist along Greek lines. Combating corruption. Legalization of cannabis. Increase budget for education, culture and the "periphery". Peace agreement w/ Arabs.

הק HaTiqva LeShinu - "The Hope for Change"

Arab-Israeli party. Complete equality of Arab-Israelis and their integration in Israeli society.Negotiation between Pal. and Israel. Improving women's status.

יק HaYisraelim - "The Israelis"

Immigrant's party, established 10 minutes before the deadline. No idea what their platform is.

פי Kalkala - "Economy"

Making Israel an economically independent country, growing the economy, lowering taxes and fees, increasing medical benefits, strong defense, reduction of bureaucracy

הפ Ḥayim Bekavod - "Life with Dignity"

Social justice, esp for the disabled and economically weak, new immigrants. Seeks expansion of public housing and rent control, reducing food and utility prices

פז Koaḥ LeHashpia - "Power to Influence"

Led by Amnon Itshak, a well-known "kiruv" Rabbi. Social justice (reduce food prices). Supporting the needy. Support for Holocaust survivors and Jews from Arab countries. Educating values. Strong defense. Universal service.

נק Mitkademet Liberalit (Lider) - "Progressive Liberal Democratic Party (Leader)"

Immigrant's party

פך Netsaḥ - "Eternity"

Lithuanian-ḥareidi party. Issues: safeguarding rights of the religious (to practice and preserve their traditions), encourage Jewish education, educate to "love thy fellow", help to young couples

ני Or - "Light"

Separation of religion and state, establishment of a French-style constitution, maximizing individual rights, support for free-market, universal service

פ HaPiratim - "The Pirates"

One of a number of "Pirate" parties internationally. Privacy rights, change intellectual property rights, free high-speed internet as a basic democratic right, environmental protection

צק Tsedeq Ḥevrati - "Social Justice"

Social justice, education, minimum wage, gov't subsidized first home

רק Yeruqim - "Greens"

Quality of life and the environment.

פה Yesh Atid - "There is a Future"

Formed by well-known TV journalist Yair Lapid (son of the notorious Tommy Lapid), his party seeks: changes in gov't system, equality in education and the societal burden, encouragement to seek work, combating corruption, economic prosperity and efficiency, return to peace talks,