1.  Also, Islamic parties that have joined the system are under the same pressure to create jobs as secular parties.

2.  An adamantly secular party that was not represented in the current Knesset won an estimated six seats.

3.  Because Barak can now assemble a large block of secular parties, he has the option to form a government without any ultra-Orthodox representation.

4.  A secular party with a large Islamic base, headed by Amien Rais, could emerge as a swing group.

5.  In an election, Erbakan would probably be helped by the lack of unity among secular parties.

6.  In the election to choose a new prime minister and parliament, a new secular party emerged solely devoted to fighting against the religious parties.

7.  It would also send the wrong message to the secular parties, which need to overcome their petty rivalries and rebuild popular support.

8.  Its victory owed much to diligent grass-roots organization, and to popular disaffection with traditional secular parties that are widely regarded as corrupt and out of touch.

9.  Leaders of secular parties are expected to try to patch together an electoral alliance in the hope of heading off another victory by the Islamic party.

10.  Minister of Education Yossi Sarid leads the secular Meretz party, which is the ideological opposite of Shas.