In Israel today, there are three major political parties, two smaller ones and a number of parties still smaller.  Because of the number of political parties, which reflect deep divisions in Israeli society, it is almost impossible for any one party to win a majority of the 120 seats in the Knesset (Parliament).
                                                                                                                                                  
Israel is a country with a large Palestinian minority and a deeply religious minority of about 10% of the population.  Most Jews are not very religious; observing Annual High Days as National Holidays, but largely neglecting other religious obligations.  The intensely religious minority has many divisions within it's ranks, as much of the religion has to do with the traditions of people from different regions (Russia, Asia, Africa, Europe and N America) and backgrounds, rather than an exclusive reliance on the Tenach (Hebrew Scriptures).
                                                                                                                                                 
In consequence governments usually consist of coalitions of several of the parties in order to achieve the 61+ votes in the Knesset needed to govern.
                                                                                                                                                 
THE PARTIES
                                                                                                                                                 
LABOR is presently headed by Ehud Barak.  Labor might be considered the Peace Party, being the most willing to make serious concessions to achieve a peace deal.  They can be described as slightly left leaning.
                                                                                                                                                      
KADIMA ,now headed by Tzipi Livni, is more centrist, with a willingness to make the necessary concessions for peace.
                                                                                                                                                  
LIKUD, headed by Binyamin Netanyahu, is a far right party, opposed to almost all concessions and strongly supportive of the use of military force to resolve problems.  The Likud is largely a non religious party.
 
 

SHAS is a smaller religious party opposed to concessions on Jerusalem and intent on providing social welfare services for the nation.  Many Israelis regard this as self serving, since these religious persons tend to have two to three times as many children as others, do not usually enter military service and have an inordinate number on the welfare rolls.

UNITED TORAH JUDAISM is also a religious party with a number of unbendable Red Lines for peace talks.

ISRAEL BEITEINU led by Avigdor Lieberman is an extremely nationalist party, with a solid base in the large Russian immigrent party.  These Russian immigrents are mainly secular and not religious, they are extremely nationalist. 

At this time, the Kadima led by Tzipi Livni has won the Feb elections by one seat.  However Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud has been asked and has formed the government.  A very shaky coalition government based on Likud, Israel Beiteinu and a number of the religious parties now governs the country.  Labour has entered this government over strong objections of many of it's Knesset members.

This is; a war time government, made up of extremists.  There is no way that Netanyahu can take Israel into peace talks and make any agreement without the collapse of his government.  If any peace talks are entered into, it will be a matter of the Maoist tactic of; talk talk, fight fight.  They will talk for the sake of talking and never arrive at any conclusion. 

Livni has held off on joining this government to keep herself in the wings for the serious peace talks to come.  Netanyahu will eventually fight the war.  When the war is won; American and international pressure for a peace deal will be overwhelming.  If Netanyahu gives in to this pressure and  the religious parties defect from the government, it will be Livni's turn to step in.  She will be in a position to make the peace. 

TZIPORA SPITZER, ne'  ZIPORA MALKA LIVNI was born at Tel Aviv on 8 Jul 1958.  The daughter of parents who were leading members of the infamous Irgun terrorist gang.  The Irgun was the group responsible for the destruction of the King David Hotel on 22 July 1946, where the British Mandate was Headquartered in the 1930's and 1940's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_David_Hotel_bombing   the Irgun was also involved in the Deir Yassin massacre, which was designed to create panic among the Palestinians, causing them to flee, thus creating the ongoing Palestinian refugee situation.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Yassin_massacre

TZIPORA, served as a Lieutenant in the Army and later served two years in the MOSSAD network in Europe.  She left the Mossad to marry NAFTALI SPITZER and practice law.  They have two sons  OMRI and YUVAL.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        In 1999  Ms Livni entered politics, joining the Likud Party.  She followed Ariel Sharon into Kadima in 2005 and became Foreign Minister in 2006.  Since the Annapolis conference, she has been the Chief Peace Negotiator for Israel.
                                                                                                                                                                                               On 17 Sep 2008 she has won the KADIMA Leadership election by about 1% of the vote.  The coalition is expected to hold together after the resignation of Prime Minister Olmert, who is expected to resign on 21 Sep 2008.  When she completes the task of forming the new government she will become the second female Prime Minister in modern Israeli history.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Ms Livni is described as a Hard Line Zionist Extremist, somewhat to the right of Bibi Netanyahu.  Behind her femininity, she is described as a very tough, hard person; dedicated to her goal of a Greater Israel.   She is intelligent and realistic enough to see that there are many ways to reach goals.                                                                                                                                                           

Ms Livni is a decisive person, who knows her mind and her goals. She will not hesitate to do what she feels necessary.  She will not hesitate to make the necessary decisions  to reach a Peace Agreement, if she can.  In short; she may be the right person (someone in authority), at the right time (the later days), for what is coming (a feeling of  peace and security Dan 8:25, 1 Thess 5:3). 

The Israeli public, most of whom want peace already; will be further motivated after coming through the horrors of another war.  It is likely that all of Israel will be subject to bombardment this time around.  Israel's people will want and be ready for the peace that Livni gives them.  The religious extremists, on the other hand; will do what they can to disrupt any agreement.  If foreign peace keepers are provided to enforce such an agreement, an incident is unavoidable.  Such foreign forces will be forced to act to fulfill their mandate, resulting in yet another explosion in the Middle East.