Israel election: Polling begins nationwide

Israel's general election is underway today, with voters choosing the next Knesset. Each political party presents its own platform and priorities. Here's a breakdown of the main parties and their positions:

Yashar, led by former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot, is a centrist party focusing on national security, government reform, and removing Benjamin Netanyahu from power. It is part of the opposition bloc.

Likud, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is a right-wing party emphasizing national security, Jewish nationalism, and opposing Palestinian statehood. Likud leads the right-wing bloc in the current coalition.

B Yachad, led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, is a centrist party focused on government reform, economic growth, and enlisting haredi men into the IDF. It is also part of the opposition bloc.

The Democrats, led by Yair Golan, is a left-wing, Zionist party emphasizing liberal democracy, civil rights, education reform, and equal military service. It is part of the opposition bloc.

Yisrael Beytenu, led by Avigdor Liberman, is a right-wing, secular nationalist party focused on national security, a tougher stance against Hamas, and reducing the influence of religious parties. It is part of the opposition bloc.

Otzma Yehudit, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, is a far-right nationalist party advocating a hardline approach to security threats, expanded Jewish settlements, and stricter law enforcement. It is part of the Netanyahu bloc and the current coalition.

The Joint List and Ra'am represent different strands of Arab Israeli politics. The Joint List is left-wing, advocating for equality, civil rights, and Palestinian national rights. Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, takes a more pragmatic approach focused on crime, funding, and improving Arab communities.

Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) are ultra-Orthodox parties prioritizing religious institutions and maintaining exemptions from IDF service for yeshiva students. Shas represents Sephardi and Mizrahi haredi Jews, while UTJ represents Ashkenazi haredi communities. Both are part of the Netanyahu bloc.

Religious Zionist Party-Zehut, led by Bezalel Smotrich and Moshe Feiglin, is a far-right, religious-nationalist party supporting West Bank settlements and judicial reform. It is part of the Netanyahu bloc.

Several smaller parties, hovering just above or below the 3.25% electoral threshold, are fighting to enter the Knesset. These include People of Israel, led by former IDF general Ofer Winter, and the Reservists-Economic Party, led by Yoaz Hendel. Other parties include Haredi Public, led by Moti Leitner.