Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
An Israeli Arab woman casts her
ballot at a polling station in the Israeli
Arab town of Kfar Qara, February
2009. (Getty Images / Image Bank.)
formed to fi ll the gap have generally been short-lived. Although Kadima was not founded on
this basis —but rather on the basis of Ariel Sharon's personal choices and security issues —
it has used such arguments in seeking voter support during elections with a large degree of
success.
POLITICAL PARTIES
Israel is often defi ned as a party state, meaning that political parties rather than personalities
drive politics. Elections and trends in public opinion since the 1990s show a slight shift. The
perceived character of the candidate for prime minister is important, especially whether that
person can be trusted with the nation's security and survival. For Israel, character is no abstract
issue.
Most voters know where they fi t most comfortably. Often the main decision they must
make is whether to vote for a big party that they feel will implement their general ideas or a
smaller party that refl ects their views more closely. Historically the main choices would be be-
tween Labor and a small left-wing party (for those left of center); Likud or a small right-wing
party (for those right of center); or — for Datim — their community's religious party, a small
right-wing party, or Likud.
