MOSCOW (Sputnik), Svetlana Alexandrova – According to the latest polls, conducted by Israeli Radio and published in the media last Friday, the center-left Zionist Union is gaining some ground against the right-wing Likud party.
In December, the Israeli parliament took a vote on dissolving itself, scheduling an early general election for March 17, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to overcome a dispute within his ruling coalition and dismissed finance and justice ministers.
Under Israeli election law, each party has broadcasting time slot compatible with the number of seats in the outgoing parliament. Campaign ads are not allowed more than two weeks prior to the elections. However, the Internet has been teeming with Israeli campaign videos for months.
With all the parties seeking to edge ahead, the parties tend to create video ads by dubbing over their rivals, mocking them and glorifying their achievements.
Netanyahu's government, which took office last year, has been criticized over several issues, including the 2015 budget and a Jewish nation-state bill that, allegedly, discriminates against Arab citizens.
However, in January Netanyahu was re-elected as the head of the right-wing Likud party, winning primaries as the first stage toward securing a fourth term in office.
Being the legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes laws, elects the president, approves the cabinet, and supervises the government's work through committees.
