New Knesset: More ultra-Orthodox, Arabs; fewer women, settlers

[Behind the Aegis]

With the votes counted at 99.7 percent of the polling stations (except for the double-envelope ballots), it is already clear that almost a third of the new Knesset's members - 39 MKs - will be new to the legislature. The greatest number of freshman MKs will be from Kadima (10), followed by Yisrael Beiteinu (eight), and the Pensioners Party (all seven MKs). Likud, National Union-National Religious Party and Balad will have no new MKs. In Meretz, Yossi Beilin is returning to the Knesset after an absence of one term.

There will be only 16 women in the Knesset, down from 18 elected in 2003. Kadima will have the most women (six), followed by Labor (five). The National Union-NRP, Arab parties and ultra-Orthodox parties have no women representatives.

A majority of MKs in the new Knesset are of Ashkenazi origin: 73 compared to 34 MKs of Middle Eastern or North African origin. The remaining 13 representatives are Arabs, up from 10 in the last Knesset.

The 17th Knesset will have 34 religious and ultra-Orthodox MKs - nearly 30 percent of the legislature - compared to 30 in the 16th Knesset.


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[barb162]

1. I've been reading some things about the voters having more

than usual concern about social services, unions, pensions, etc.