Israel's Even moved to less prominent spot in the Knesset

The main political parties in Israel's parliament, the Knesset, have completed their lists of candidates for parliament for the January 28 election. The liberal Meretz party, which opposes Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud Party, chose its candidates on Tuesday, returning most of its present members but dropping to the marginal 13th and 14th slots peace activist Mossi Raz and Uzi Even, the first openly gay member of the Israeli parliament. Raz says he intends to appeal his placing. Meretz hopes to win more than its present 10 seats, but a change in Israel's electoral system may work against the smaller parties.