Peace and Security in the 2006 Election

The issue of peace and security has long been regarded as the primary focus of Israeli politics. In the 2006 election, the Labour party leader, Amir Peretz, sought to challenge the received wisdom by emphasizing socioeconomic issues. Kadima began by focusing on Ariel Sharon's leadership and ended with Ehud Olmert advancing the Convergence plan for a further unilateral withdrawal from large parts of the West Bank. Meanwhile, the Likud concentrated its fire against Olmert's plan. Against this background, the key questions are, first, how important an issue was peace and security in the election? Second, how did the main political parties address the issue of peace and security during the election? Third, what were the main trends in public opinion on these issues? Fourth, in what way did these trends affect the public's response to the election campaign at the ballot box?