Anshel Pfeffer

In the wake of the mass protest of 2011, it seemed like social and fiscal policies would take center stage in the next election. But it is now safe to say that, as always in the past, questions of war and peace will prevail.

Devoutly Jewish Knesset candidates are everywhere, but they're avoiding the existential issues.

The election campaigns of Israel's two main parties are run by American strategists - Arthur Finkelstein for Likud and Stanley Greenberg for Labor - whose analyses of Israeli voting patterns are diametrically opposed. On election day we'll see who was right.

According to Stratfor report, Israel has a listening station on the secluded Mt. Amba Sawara, as well as docks in the Dahlak Archipelago.

With just 42 days until the elections, the only party that has yet to launch its campaign is no other than the one most likely to form the next government. This isn’t a mistake or oversight – quite the contrary.

With all the parties submitting their final lists on Thursday, the election pre-season has officially begun. So where do the competitors stand?

This is the one user-friendly and easy Jewish festival, perhaps the only uncontroversial event on our calendar. I wouldn't deny my children Hanukkah, but sometimes I feel we are too much in love with the miracle.

The surprise defection of a Labor heavyweight further aggravates the divisions in the center-left. Losers abound, but the winner is one: Netanyahu.

The signs that the Syrian army is losing control of the country are growing fast, so too are growing the chances of a foreign military intervention.

A week after Likud 'princes' were ousted in the party primaries, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman promotes second-generation Revisionists at the expense of his hitherto loyal allies. Does that pave the way to his taking over Likud?

Though politics and the media have always overlapped, more and more journalists are cashing in on their high profile and political engagement to join the race at the height of their career. 'We are fashion models with an agenda,' says one of them.

Tzipi Livni's efforts to recruit a social-justice protester to her new party's ranks shed light on our era of instant parties and instant politicians.

Britain's severe diplomatic response to Israel's decision on settlement expansion should not have surprised anyone.

Despite the parties’ lists still being up in the air, no less than five news organizations published new election polls over the weekend. Here’s what we can learn from them.

Habayit Hayehudi and National Union finally signed a unity agreement, and though it has been in the air for months, it wasn't a simple achievement.

The new Labor Party list has the best mix of veterans and fresh new upstarts, but that doesn't mean it won't create headaches for party leader Shelly Yacimovich.

Misguided overseas reactions to the Likud primary are a preview of likely responses to the January election.

Netanyahu has successfully removed the Palestinian issue from public consciousness and replaced it with the Iranian threat. With the potential to put the Palestinians back in the spotlight, the UN bid comes at the worst possible time for Netanyahu.

After Likud elected a staunchly right-wing list this week, Labor has been trying to pass itself off as the only reasonable, centrist alternative. But then Tzipi Livni got in the way.

Since returning to the party leadership, Deri - the man who once made the electorate tick - has not changed Shas' poll ratings one iota.

Despite three major events this week - Barak's resignation, Livni's return and Likud's stark rightward shift - the political landscape hasn't really changed.

The former foreign minister sounds confident and on point when she's sticking to her strength – diplomacy. However, when examining new party Hatnuah, it's hard to shake a strong feeling of deja vu.

Former Kadima leader's new party will attempt to challenge Netanyahu alongside three other centrist parties. That's what happens when politicians are led by their egos.

The significant rightward shift in the Likud list marks a generational change in the ruling party that may entail far-reaching ramifications.

The new Likud – more rightist than ever – will allow the PM little flexibility. He is probably the most liberal and moderate figure to remain on the list.