The Israeli government

The Knesset building is where the Israeli parliament meets.

Israel is a parliamentary democracy with executive, legislative and judicial branches. Its unicameral parliament -- the Knesset -- consists of 120 members who choose a president as the head of state. Voters directly elect the prime minister, who heads the government.

Israel's unique election system allows voters to cast their ballots for a prime minister from one party and, if they wish, switch to another party when they choose members of the Knesset.

On October 30, 2002, the governing coalition led by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who also heads the Likud party, collapsed when the Labor Party pulled out, citing Sharon's refusal to reduce money earmarked for Jewish settlements and divert the savings to social programs.

With Labor's 24 members, including seven ministers, out of his government and Sharon unable to form a new coalition that would give him a majority in the Knesset, a national election for prime minister and Knesset seats was set for January 28, 2003.

• Profile: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

Some key appointments

Netanyahu

Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud)
A former elite soldier and Israeli representative to the United Nations, Netanyahu served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999, when he was defeated by Labor Party candidate Ehud Barak. Promoting a hard-line stance toward relations with the Palestinians and a desire to exile Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Netanyahu challenged Sharon to regain leadership of the Likud party and become its candidate for prime minister -- even after Sharon appointed him as foreign minister in November 2002.

Mofaz

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz (Likud)
The Iranian-born Mofaz, who emigrated to Israel as a 9-year-old in 1957, began his armed forces career in 1966. He steadily climbed the Israel Defense Forces' ranks, becoming its chief of staff in 1998. Mofaz left his post in July 2002, but returned four months later as defense minister following the resignation of Benjamin Ben-Eliezer. He has favored a tough approach to curb the Palestinian intifada, including exiling Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Shalom

Finance Minister Silvan Shalom (Likud)
The Tunisian-born Shalom is an economist and accountant who previously was an adviser to the finance minister. He also has held the posts of deputy defense minister and science minister.

Yishai

Interior Minister Eli Yishai (Shas)
Yishai, head of the powerful, ultraorthodox Shas Party, studied in a seminary before entering politics. He was labor and social affairs minister under Barak but resigned in protest over Barak's decision to hold talks on a final settlement with the Palestinians in July 2000.

Sharansky

Housing and Construction Minister Natan Sharansky (Yisrael Ba'aliya)
Sharansky, head of a right-wing Russian immigrants party, was born in the Ukraine. He spent nine years in a Soviet prison for dissident activities before he immigrated to Israel. He was interior minister under Barak but resigned over Barak's decision to join the Palestinians for talks at Camp David in July 2000.

Lieberman

Infrastructure Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Israel Beitenu)
Lieberman heads the right-wing Israel Beitenu party and is known for fiery pronouncements such as suggesting that Israel attack Egypt and Iran in the event of an Arab offensive. He immigrated to Israel in 1978 from the then-Soviet republic of Moldova.

Tarif

Minister without Portfolio Salah Tarif (Labor)
Tarif is the first Israeli Arab to hold a Cabinet post in the Jewish state. He is a member of the Druze community, an offshoot of Islam. Unlike other Arab Israelis, Druze are obliged to serve in the Israeli military. Tarif did tours of duty in Lebanon and the West Bank, rising to the rank of captain.