Israeli citizens voted on 28 March, giving 29 Knesset seats to Kadima, a new party formed by Ariel Sharon and headed by Ehud Olmert. Voter turnout – at 63% – was the  lowest in Israel’s history.

It may not have been such a surprise that Kadima gained so many seats, or that Labour – with 19 – came in second. But the strong showing for Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Russian immigrant Avigdor Lieberman, surprised many.