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Israel

A plethora of parties compete for influence and candidates in Israel ahead of April's election

New parties emerge from the cracks on both the left and the right of Israeli politics

January 3, 2019 09:48
Labour leader Avi Gabbay surprises everyone, including his erstwhile political ally Tzipi Livni, as he dissolves the Zionist Union on Tuesday

ByAnshel Pfeffer, Anshel Pfeffer in Jerusalem

3 min read

Elbow room is in short supply ahead of Israel’s election on April 9, with the field looking increasingly crowded.

Barely a day has passed since the date was announced last week without a new party being founded or an existing one splitting in two.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz is one of those expected to play a part in coalition-building calculations after the election.

His new party, Israel Resilience, is doing well in the polls — as is Gesher (Bridge), founded by Orly Levy-Abekasis, who was originally elected to the Knesset as a member of Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu but left two years ago.