Israelis head to the polls on Tuesday 28 March to elect members to the 120-seat Knesset or parliament. The last elections in January 2003 were won by Ariel Sharon, who is in a coma after suffering a massive stroke almost three months ago. Polls give the lead to the party he founded, Kadima, now led by Ehud Olmert, acting prime minister. Mr Olmert says he will accept in coalition only those parties that approve his ‘convergence plan’ for a unilateral withdrawal from some isolated Jewish settlements in the West Bank in order to keep the large settlement blocs.

These are the main parties.

Kadima

Founded by Mr Sharon before his stroke and now led by Mr Olmert, a former mayor of Jerusalem. He plans unilaterally to set Israel’s borders by 2010 through his convergence plan. Many of the new party’s candidates are unknowns and opinion polls show it winning between 34 and 37 seats.

Labour

Led by Amir Peretz, a former trades union leader, who wants to raise the minimum wage but is committed to the free market economy. Labour would probably support Mr Olmert’s moves in the West Bank in a coalition. Opinion polls give the party 18-21 seats.

Likud

Benjamin Netanyahu took over the party leadership after Mr Sharon quit to form Kadima late last year. Mr Netanyahu is determined to oppose any withdrawals from the West Bank and takes a hardline stance towards the Palestinians. Likud’s poll position is between 14 and 16 seats.

Yisrael Beitenu or Israel Our Home

Party leader Avigdor Lieberman is hoping to win right-wingers away from Likud with his plan to move Israeli Arab regions to the Palestinian Authority while keeping the large settlement blocs in the West Bank. Of Moldovan origin, Mr Lieberman has appealed to the 1m-strong Russian population in Israel and polls show his party winning 9-12 seats.

Shas

The party is committed to helping Sephardi ultra-Orthodox causes and is led by Eli Yishai. Some supporters appear to have switched to Labour’s Mr Peretz, who is of Moroccan origin, and his social agenda. Polls show it winning 9-11 seats.

National Religious Party/National Union

This joint list is led by Benny Elon and is committed to control over what it calls the Land of Israel and religious Zionist education. Polls give it 9-10 seats.

Meretz

A leftwing party led by Yossi Beilin that wants a two-state solution to the conflict with the Palestinians, including Israel’s withdrawal to the 1967 lines with adjustments for the Jewish settlement blocs via territorial exchanges. Its poll position is 4-5 seats.

United Torah Judaism

Led by Yaakov Litzman, the party seeks to protect Ashkenazi ultra-Othodox causes. Polls give 5-6 seats.

Hadash, United Arab List and Balad

The failure of these three Arab parties to unite could cost them votes. They all seek to represent Israeli Arabs, who make up about a fifth of Israel’s population of some 6m. Polls give them a total of 8-10 seats.

Smaller parties

These include Shinui, which promotes the separation of church and state, Herut, a far-right party, and Green Leaf, which seeks the legalisation of marijuana.