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Israeli Politics for Beginners. Soc 2 – Monday 15:50-17:00. Last year this was called…. Know your Peres from your Peretz. ???. Tuesday 18:00-19:20. An interactive introduction to Israeli Politics. Hopefully in an hour you will. Find out how the Israeli electoral system works
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Israeli Politics for Beginners • Soc 2 – Monday 15:50-17:00
Know your Peres from your Peretz ??? Tuesday 18:00-19:20 An interactive introduction to Israeli Politics
Hopefully in an hour you will • Find out how the Israeli electoral system works • Learn who the main political parties are and what they stand for • Know the results of the last election and who is currently in government • Have an idea why things change so fast. Please stop and ask questions any time!
The System – The Knesset x120 x4 But - Only one in the last 8 Knessets completed their term.
The System – The Knesset (Though at least three parties are coalitions of other groups so it’s kind of 17) x12 x31 All Israeli Citizens over 18 can vote if they are in Israel The system is proportional representation and a party needs 2% of the vote to get seats (>2 seats)
The Issues • Peace process – land for peace, Oslo, Road Map, checkpoints, targetted killing, talks with Abbas, Hamas, Qassam rockets. (Iran, Lebanon) • Settlement policy (linked to peace process) + Jerusalem + Seperation Fence. DISENGAGEMENT • Economy – poverty, social welfare, schools, raising minimum wage, pensions. • Minority Rights • State and Religion – shabbat, weddings and funerals, education, military service. • The Environment • The Army (budget and conscription) • Corruption
Election Fever • Posters, flyers, banners, bumper stickers, TV adverts. T-shirted kids standing at junctions, stands on the high street. • This goes almost as much for local (mayoral) elections as national!
½ The Parties (and leaders) • Kadima – Ehud Olmert • Labour-meimad – Ehud Barak • Shas – Eli Yishai • Likud – Binyamin Netanyahu • Israel Beitenu – Avigdor Leiberman • National Union – NRP – Benny Elon
The Rest • Gil – Rafi Eitan • United Torah Judaism – Yakov Litzman • Meretz/Yachad – Yossi Beilin • Ra’am/Ta’al – Ibrahim Tzartzut • Hadash – Mohammad Barake • Balad – Azmi Bishara
The turnout was the lowest in Israeli legislative election history, 63.6% of eligible voters, compared to 68.9% in 2003 and 78.7% in 1999. The turnout of 62.5% in 2001 prime-ministerial election is the lowest in nationwide elections.
That’s 27 ministries – 11 to Kadima, 7 to Labour, 4 to Shas, 2 to Gil, 2 to YB 1 non-aligned
Party Politics • You will each get details of a party currently in the Knesset. • In groups you need to become that party. • Using the resources available make an election campaign for your party • A poster, maybe an advert or a speech. • You have 15 minutes to prepare and 3 minutes to present! • We will have an election at the end!
Know your Peres from your Peretz ??? Amir Peretz – Moroccan Born leader of Labour Party, defence minister, former head of trade union Shimon Peres – Polish born elder statesman of politics and the Labour party (now Kadima). Twice prime minister but never won an election. Former hawk and dove. Responsible for many weapons purchases in his early career including possible nuclear reactors