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The Jewish Home

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This article is about the political party. For the concept of a Jewish homeland, see Homeland for the Jewish people.

The Jewish Home
Template:Hebrew
LeaderRafi Peretz
Founded2008; 16 years ago (2008)
Preceded byNational Religious Party
HeadquartersJerusalem
IdeologyReligious Zionism
Religious nationalism[1]
Religious conservatism
Social conservatism[1]
Social market economy
Orthodox interests
Settler interests
Political positionRight-wing to far-right[2]
ReligionOrthodox Judaism[3]
National affiliationURWP (2019)
Yamina (2019, 2020–)
International affiliationNone
Colours    Blue, green
Knesset
1 / 120
Most MKs12 (2013)
Election symbol
Template:Hebrew; Template:Hebrew
Website
www.baityehudi.org.il

The Jewish Home (Template:Lang-he-n, HaBayit HaYehudi) is an Orthodox Jewish and religious Zionist political party in Israel.[4] It was originally formed by a merger of the National Religious Party, Moledet, and Tkuma in November 2008. However, Moledet broke away from the party after its top representative was placed only 17th on the new party's list for the 2009 Knesset elections, and instead ran on a joint list with Hatikva.[5] Tkuma later also left to join the National Union.

For the 2013 elections, the Jewish Home and Tkuma parties ran a joint list under the leadership of the chairman of the Jewish Home, Naftali Bennett.[6] The party ran with Tkuma again in the 2015 elections.[7] In April 2019, Jewish Home ran on a joint list with Tkuma[8] and Otzma Yehudit.[9] The parties registered under the name Union of Right-Wing Parties.[10] The party ran on a joint list (named Yamina) with Tkuma and the New Right in the September 2019 Israeli legislative election,[11] though the joint list split into two factions on 10 October.[12] Yamina ran again in the 2020 Israeli legislative election.[13]

History

The National Religious Party and the National Union originally allied in order to run a joint list for the 2006 elections.

On 3 November 2008, it was announced that the NRP and the Moledet and Tkuma factions of the Union would merge to form a new party.[14] However, the Ahi and Hatikva factions of the Union rejected the merger — their leaders, Effi Eitam and Aryeh Eldad, respectively, were both opposed to the party being a purely religious one,[15] while Eitam was also unhappy that the new party would not hold primaries.[16]

The party was initially nameless. Five names were proposed: HaBayit HaYehudi ("Jewish Home"), Shorashim ("Roots"), Atzma'ut ("Independence"), Shalem ("Whole"), and Amihai ("My Nation Lives"). In an on-line ballot, the members chose "Jewish Home".[17]

Ya'akov Amidror was chosen to head a public committee formed to choose the party's list for the 2009 elections.[14] On 8 December 2008, Rabbi Professor Daniel Hershkovitz, a mathematician from the Technion, was chosen to head the new party.[18]

When Jewish Home announced its candidate list for the upcoming elections, five of the top six slots went to ex-NRP members. MK Uri Ariel of Tkuma was the sole exception: He received the third slot. Polls then indicated Jewish Home would get five to seven seats, thus making the first six spaces highly contested. The ex-National Union members again complained. Ex-Moledet MK Benny Elon stated that he would not seek re-election, and was replaced on the candidate list by American immigrant Uri Bank. The remaining Moledet members broke away, and allied with Hatikva in a revived Union (Bank also later switched to the Union.)

On 25 December, Tkuma MK Ariel left Jewish Home, and joined the Union.[19] This left Jewish Home as little more than a renamed NRP: The Jewish Home, the new National Religious Party. In the 2009 election, the party won three seats.[20]

The Jewish Home election poster: "Something new begins", 2013

In November 2012, the Jewish Home held separate primaries for leadership of the party. My Israel leader Naftali Bennett won over incumbent MK Zevulun Orlev, winning more than two thirds of the vote, and Orlev announced he was resigning from politics. A week later, primaries for the remaining members of the list were held, and Nissan Slomiansky, Ayelet Shaked, and Uri Orbach reached the top spots. With the National Union breaking up, Uri Ariel officially re-united Tkuma with the Jewish Home to run on a joint list in the 2013 Israeli elections. A few Moledet candidates were included. In the elections that were held on 22 January 2013, the Jewish Home won 12 seats. The Jewish Home entered the thirty-third government of Israel under prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and has 3 ministers (Bennett, Ariel, and Orbach) and 2 deputy-ministers (Ben-Dahan and Wortzman).

As part of its 2013 coalition agreement, the Jewish Home had the right to veto any laws that change the status quo on religious issues. In December 2013, the party vetoed a Yesh Atid-proposed bill that sought to give gay fathers equal tax benefits, saying it would have far-reaching implications on marriage laws. Currently, mothers receive more benefits than do fathers under the law, and thus, couples composed of two men are ineligible for certain tax breaks.[21]

In December 2016, the party's member Shuli Mualem proposed the so-called Regulation Bill. The law seeks to legalize dozens of small outposts of settlements built in the occupied Palestinian territories on private ground of individual Palestinians.[22]

The Regulation Law passed legislation on 6 February 2017.[23] The law exclusively refers to Palestinians, and allows the government to expropriate land from individual Palestinians against their will for a compensation up to 25% above the land's value.[24]

On 16 November 2018, the Jewish Home issued a statement claiming that the party intended to withdraw from Netanyahu's coalition government, and demanded an early election "as soon as possible".[25][26] This threat came after Netanyahu denied party leader Naftali Bennett's request to become the Defense Minister.[27] On 18 November, Netanyahu reneged on an earlier pledge to remove Jewish Home member Eli Ben-Dahan as Deputy Defense Minister.[28] Bennett afterwards reneged on this pledge to withdraw on 19 November 2018, and agreed to abandon his push to become Defense Minister and keep the party in the coalition.[29]

In December 2018, three Jewish Home MKs, including Bennett, left the party to form the New Right.[30] Rafi Peretz was elected leader of the party on 4 February 2019.[31]

In the build-up to the April 2019 elections, the party agreed to run on a joint list with Tkuma, and later joined the Union of Right-Wing Parties (URWP) alliance alongside Otzma Yehudit.[9]

Prior to the September 2019 elections, the Jewish Home joined the Yamina alliance alongside New Right and Tkuma.[32] Following the elections, the bloc split into separate Knesset factions on 10 October, one consisting of the Jewish Home and Tkuma, and the other New Right.[33] However, the parties reunited to reform Yamina prior to the 2020 elections.[34]

On 22 April 2020, it was reported that Bennett was now "considering all options" for the Yamina alliance's political future, including departing from Netanyahu's government, which had just agreed to a coalition with leader of the opposition Blue and White party Benny Gantz, and joining the opposition. Bennett was reported to be unhappy with the new coalition government's decision to hold back on the issue of judicial reform.[35]

Ideology

The party primarily represents Modern Orthodox as well as Chardal Jews.[3] For many years, this community has been politically fractured.[36] In the 2013 elections, the party was led by Naftali Bennett, a charismatic high-tech millionaire, who appealed to both religious and secular Israelis.[37] The party's pro-settlement message and Bennett's personal appeal helped it increase popularity among a broader segment of the population.[3] The attention that Bennett received also apparently had an effect on Likud's 2013 election strategy, pushing it to the right.[36] Along with Yesh Atid, the Jewish Home surged in popularity by promising to end the controversial system of draft exemptions given to many ultra-Orthodox seminary students, and to "ease the burden" on middle-class Israelis who serve in the military, work, and pay taxes. These two parties became the two largest coalition parties in Prime Minister Netanyahu's government, and leaders of both parties were able to force Netanyahu to promise that the ultra-Orthodox political parties will not be in the new coalition.[38] Despite Bennett's alliance with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid on many domestic issues, the two differ sharply over peace efforts and settlement building. Bennett is opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state, and has called for Israel to annex Area C of the West Bank and offer citizenship to the Palestinians living there.[3][39][40] Their alliance ended during their time as coalition partners, before the 2015 Israeli legislative election.

Most of the party's candidates for the 2015 elections were opposed to same-sex marriage.[41] Some of the remarks made by its candidates have been called homophobic by Yair Lapid; Zehava Gal-On and Mickey Rosenthal also criticized the comments.[42] Despite this, in a 2016 poll, 57% of Jewish Home voters said they back same-sex marriage.[43]

The party is considered to be part of the national camp in Israeli politics, a group of political parties that share nationalist views and often form governments together.[44]

Criticism

In response to the party's short-lived 2019 alliance with Otzma Yehudit, Rabbi Benny Lau, a modern Orthodox rabbi from Jerusalem, said: "A vote for Bayit Yehudi is a vote for the racism of [Meir] Kahane." The rabbi equated Kahanism with Nazism.[45]

Leaders


 Leader Took office Left office
style="background: Template:The Jewish Home/meta/color; color: white" | 1 Daniel Hershkowitz 2008 2012
style="background: Template:The Jewish Home/meta/color; color: white" | 2 Naftali Bennett 2012 2018
style="background: Template:The Jewish Home/meta/color; color: white" | 3 Rafi Peretz 2019 Present

Knesset election results

Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Status
2009 Daniel Hershkowitz 96,765 (#11) 2.87
3 / 120
 Steady Coalition government
2013 Naftali Bennett 345,985 (#4)
(joint list with Tkuma) 		9.12
12 / 120
 Increase 9 Coalition government
2015 Naftali Bennett 283,910 (#6)
(joint list with Tkuma) 		6.74
8 / 120
 Decrease 4 Coalition government
April 2019 Rafi Peretz Part of the URWP
3 / 120
 Decrease 5 Snap election
September 2019 Rafi Peretz Part of Yamina
2 / 120
 Decrease 1 Snap election
2020 Rafi Peretz Part of Yamina
1 / 120
 Decrease 1 TBD

Knesset members list

Knesset Years MKs Members
17 2006–2009 5 Uri Ariel, Eliyahu Gabai, Zvi Hendel, Zevulun Orlev, Nissan Slomiansky
18 2009–2013 3 Daniel Hershkowitz, Uri Orbach, Zevulun Orlev
19 2013–2015 12 Naftali Bennett, Uri Ariel, Nissan Slomiansky, Eli Ben-Dahan, Ayelet Shaked, Uri Orbach(died in office), Zvulun Kalfa, Avi Wortzman, Moti Yogev, Orit Strook, Yoni Chetboun, Shuli Mualem, Hillel Horowitz(from 02/16/2015)
20 2015–2019 8 Naftali Bennett, Uri Ariel, Ayelet Shaked, Eli Ben-Dahan, Nissan Slomiansky, Yinon Magal(resigned in 2015), Moti Yogev, Bezalel Smotrich, Shuli Mualem(from October 2015)
21 2019 3 Rafi Peretz, Moti Yogev, Idit Silman
22 2019–2020 2 Rafi Peretz, Moti Yogev
23 2020– 1 Rafi Peretz

References

  1. ^ a b "Which parties are running - and who is likely to get in?". Arutz Sheva. 9 April 2019.
  2. ^ Israel elections: Netanyahu challengers Gantz and Lapid join forces BBC News, 21 February 2019
  3. ^ a b c d "A look at the make-up of the new Israeli government". The Oklahoman. Associated Press. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  4. ^ Jodi Rudoren (22 January 2013). "Tepid Vote for Netanyahu in Israel Is Seen as Rebuke". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  5. ^ Abe Selig (18 December 2008). "Moledet breaks from newly formed Bayit Hayehudi". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  6. ^ "Moledet Strengthens Unity in Religious Camp". Arutz Sheva. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  7. ^ Lewis, Avi (12 January 2015). "Jewish Home faction Tekumah selects Knesset candidates". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  8. ^ "Jewish Home and National Union agree to reunite for Knesset run". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  9. ^ a b Magid, Jacob. "Jewish Home central committee overwhelmingly backs merger with extremist party". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  10. ^ Julian, Hana Levi. "If Elections Were Held Today … Likud Could Lose". The Jewish Press. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  11. ^ Berger, Yotam; Peleg, Bar (28 July 2019). "Israeli Right-wing Parties Announce Broad Union Led by Ayelet Shaked". Haaretz. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  12. ^ Raoul Wootliff (10 October 2019). "Yamina party officially splits into New Right, Jewish Home-National Union". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  13. ^ Staff writer (15 January 2020). "Bennett, Peretz, Smotrich agree to joint run without Ben Gvir". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  14. ^ a b Amnon Meranda (3 November 2008). "Right-wing parties unite". Ynetnews. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  15. ^ Hillel Fendel (19 November 2008). "Petition: Include Eldad and Marzel in New Religious Party". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  16. ^ Attila Somfalvi (3 November 2008). "Eitam wants to join Likud". Ynetnews. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  17. ^ "New Nationalist Party Named 'The Jewish Home'". Arutz Sheva. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2015..
  18. ^ Matthew Wagner (9 December 2008). "Habayit Hayehudi opts for Hershkowitz". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  19. ^ Matthew Wagner (25 December 2008). "National Union splits from Habayit Hayehudi". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  20. ^ "Israel Elections 2009 Results". Israel National News. 10 February 2009. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  21. ^ Lazar Berman (18 December 2013). "Lapid, Bennett at odds again over gay benefits bill". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  22. ^ Andrew Carey (8 December 2016). "Israel's Knesset advances bill on legalizing West Bank outposts". CNN. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  23. ^ Andrew Carey; Emanuella Grinberg (7 February 2017). "Israel's parliament passes West Bank outposts bill". CNN. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  24. ^ The law in Hebrew as passed by the Israeli Knesset at the official website of the Knesset. http://fs.knesset.gov.il//20/law/20_ls2_pb_367832.pdf
  25. ^ Raoul Wootliff (16 November 2018). "Israel heads toward elections as Jewish Home says it will leave coalition". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  26. ^ Karin Laub (16 November 2018). "Netanyahu's main coalition partner pushes for early election". Associated Press. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  27. ^ "Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu takes over defense job as coalition falters". Reuters. 16 November 2018.
  28. ^ Raoul Wootliff (18 November 2018). "After Jewish Home anger, Netanyahu says he'll reappoint deputy defense minister". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  29. ^ "Bennett drops ultimatum despite cold shoulder from PM, keeping coalition afloat". The Times of Israel. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  30. ^ Bennett, Shaked quit Jewish Home, announce formation of ‘HaYamin HeHadash’ The Times of Israel, 29 December 2018
  31. ^ Staff writer (4 February 2019). "Beit Yehudi leader slams Shaked, Bennet: You don't abandon a home". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  32. ^ Staff writer (12 August 2019). "United Right to run under name 'Yemina'". Arutz Sheva.
  33. ^ Raoul Wootliff (10 October 2019). "Yamina party officially splits into New Right, Jewish Home-National Union". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  34. ^ Staff writer (15 January 2020). "Bennett, Peretz, Smotrich agree to joint run without Ben Gvir". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  35. ^ Wootliff, Raoul (22 April 2020). "Netanyahu speaks with Bennett as Yamina considers joining unity government". Times of Israel. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  36. ^ a b Jodi Rudoren (27 December 2012). "Dynamic Former Netanyahu Aide Shifts Israeli Campaign Rightward". The New York Times. p. A12. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  37. ^ "Key parties in incoming Israeli parliament". Associated Press. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  38. ^ Aron Heller (12 March 2013). "Israel's ultra-Orthodox suddenly are outsiders". Associated Press. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  39. ^ Naftali Bennett (7 November 2014). "For Israel, Two-State Is No Solution". The New York Times. p. A31. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  40. ^ Naftali Bennett (20 May 2014). "A New Plan for Peace in Palestine". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 15 June 2015.(subscription required)
  41. ^ "What do Habayit Hayehudi candidates think about same-sex marriage?". Haaretz. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  42. ^ Or Wolman (28 January 2015). "Lapid: The Bayit Ha-Yehudi is a homophobic party". Jerusalem Online. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  43. ^ "3 in 4 Israelis Back Same-sex Civil Marriages, Survey Finds". Haaretz. 2 June 2016.
  44. ^ Shamir, Michal (2017). The Elections in Israel 2015. Taylor & Francis. p. 77.
  45. ^ Gil Hoffman (23 February 2019). "Religious leader Rabbi Lau: A vote for Bayit Yehudi is a vote for Nazism". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
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