The Key Players in Israel

Likud

Led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Likud holds tough positions toward Palestinian independence and largely opposes ceding territory for a future state. Netanyahu grudgingly accepted the idea of Palestinian independence in the past but has recently hardened his stance.

Zionist Union

The main opposition party and challenger to Netanyahu's lengthy rule. Headed by Isaac Herzog, it is a blend between his Labor party - which governed the country from its founding in 1948 until 1977, and twice since - and former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's centrist Hatnua party. The new alliance has pledged a renewed push for peace with the Palestinians and for mending relations with Israel's most important ally, the United States.

Yesh Atid

Founded by former TV personality Yair Lapid, the centrist party represents secular, middle-class interests and focuses mostly on economic issues - saying less money should be spent on settlements and stipends for the ultra-Orthodox. The party was the surprise of the previous vote in 2013 and then joined Likud as its senior coalition partner.

Kulanu

The new party headed by former Likud government minister Moshe Kahlon is shaping up to be the kingmaker of this election. Kahlon is running on an economic platform that deals almost exclusively with bread-and-butter issues, while all but ignoring Israel's diplomatic challenges. He is demanding to become finance minister in the next government and could tip the scales in favor of either Netanyahu or Herzog.

The Joint List

A recently established alliance of four small, largely Arab-backed parties representing Israel's 20 percent Arab minority that could emerge as the third-largest bloc. Despite deep differences between socialists, Palestinian nationalists, and traditional Islamists, the list's leader, lawyer Ayman Odeh, 40, says the unprecedented union could dramatically increase Arab turnout at the polls and clout in Israel's parliament.

Yisrael Beitenu

The far-right secular party headed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman takes a hard line against Israel's Arab minority and says it will push for the death penalty for terrorists. The party has shrunk in the polls since breaking up an alliance with Likud and following a series of corruption scandals that forced out several key players.

Jewish Home

Representing modern Orthodox Jews, the party has strong ties with the West Bank settlement movement. Considered a natural partner of Likud, its charismatic leader, high-tech millionaire Naftali Bennett, has been looking to broaden his appeal to secular Jews.

- Associated Press

EndText